Jesus Freaks from the hippies.
“Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He’s gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky
Recommend you to the spirit in the sky
That’s where you’re gonna go when you die
When you die and they lay you to rest
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
I’ve been a sinner you know I’ve sinned
But I’ve got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He’s gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky”
Actually, Greenbaum is Jewish. He wrote the song as an imitation of Christian spirituals, I think just as a lark, and it turned out to be the only successful song he ever had.
(Some might take that as a sign)
Actually it’s “Never been a sinner, I never sinned.”
The reason I don’t listen to his song. Fruit of the devil.
When I sing along, sometimes I change the lyric in my head to something like you posted.
Except for that line, the rest of the song is pretty good.