Was 27 surviving my return to Saturn
A long vacation didn't sound so bad
Was full of secrets locked up tight like iron mountain
Running on empty, so out of gas
Thought I wasn't enough
And I wasn't so tough
Laying on the bathroom floor
We were living on a phone line
And I felt the fault was all mine
Couldn't take it any more
By the grace of God
(There was no other way)
I picked myself back up
(I knew I had to stay)
I put one foot in front of the other and I
Looked in the mirror and decided to stay
Wasn't gonna let love take me out
That way
I thank my sister for keeping my head above the water
When the truth was like swallowing sand
Now every morning
There is no more mourning oh I
Can finally see myself again
I know I am enough
Possible to be loved
It was not about me
Now I have to rise above
Let the universe call the bluff
Yeah the truth will set you free
By the grace of God
(There was no other way)
I picked myself back up
(I knew I had to stay)
I put one foot in front of the other and I
Looked in the mirror and decided to stay
Wasn't gonna let love take me out
That way no
There ain't no
Not in the name of love
In the name of love
(In the name of love)
That way
There ain't no
I'm not giving up
By the grace of God
I picked myself back up
I put one foot in front of the other and I
Looked in the mirror
(Looked in the mirror)
Looked in the mirror
(Looked in the mirror)
By the grace of God
(Rhere was no other way)
I picked myself back up
(I knew I had to stay)
I put one foot in front of the other and I
Looked in the mirror and decided to stay
Wasn't gonna let love take me out
That way
About This Song
"By the Grace of God" is a deeply personal ballad about surviving a severe mental health crisis and finding the strength to rebuild after hitting rock bottom. The song chronicles Perry's experience with depression and suicidal ideation during her late twenties, referencing the astrological concept of Saturn's return-a period traditionally associated with major life upheaval and self-reckoning. The lyrics reveal intimate details of her psychological breakdown, including lying on a bathroom floor in despair and feeling responsible for the collapse of her marriage to Russell Brand, symbolized by "living on a fault line." The song's power lies in its unflinching honesty about mental illness, particularly the shame and self-blame that often accompany depression, while ultimately celebrating the inexplicable resilience that allows someone to survive their darkest moments. Musically, the track builds from sparse, vulnerable verses featuring piano and strings to a soaring, gospel-influenced chorus that emphasizes the spiritual dimension of recovery. The production mirrors the emotional journey from despair to hope, with Perry's vocals growing stronger and more confident as the song progresses. This raw vulnerability marked a significant departure from Perry's typically upbeat pop persona, resonating with listeners who had experienced similar struggles and helping to destigmatize conversations about mental health in mainstream pop music.
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