image from Discogs

“Walkin’ with Jesus” was first released as a single in November, 1986, from Spacemen 3’s 2^nd studio album, “The Perfect Prescription,” which was released in September, 1987. The song was also included on the 1994 re-issue of their first studio album, “Sound of Confusion,” as well as on the Spacemen 3 compilation album, “Forged Prescriptions,” in 2003.

Tidbits:

Spacemen 3 were an English alternative rock band, formed in 1982 in Rugby, Warwickshire, by Peter Kember (a.k.a. Sonic Boom) and Jason Pierce (a.k.a. J Spaceman.) They had their first independent chart hits in 1987, which gained them a cult following; however, they disbanded shortly afterwards.

Personnel on “The Perfect Prescription”
Sonic Boom – guitar, vocals, tremolo, organ
J Spaceman – guitar, vocals, organ, Farfisa organ
Bassman – bass
Rosco – drums, percussion
with:
Alex Green – saxophone
Mick Manning – trumpet
Owen John – violin

Spacemen 3 gained a reputation as a ‘drug band’ due to the members’ drug-taking habits and Kember’s candid interviews and outspoken opinions on recreational drug use. “The Perfect Prescription” is a concept album, “a vision of a drug trip from inception to its blasted conclusion, highs and lows fully intact.”

Pitchfork Media listed it at #50 in their list of the greatest albums of the 80s.

Looking for versions of the song and lyrics, I learned that there are two distinctly different versions of this song. The one released as a single is very guitar-driven and what I’ll call harsher-sounding. The other version is organ-driven and much softer in its sound. The lyrics were essentially the same just repetitions a little different. I’m including both versions of it where you can decide which one you prefer.  I like both versions.

Here is the singles version:

Here is the album version:

I walked with Jesus and he would say
“Oh you poor child, you ain’t coming to me, no way
You found heaven on Earth, gonna burn for your sin”
But I think I’ll be in good company down there with all my friends

Well, here it comes
Here comes the sound
The sound of confusion
Well, here it comes
Here comes the sound
The sound of love

Well, I got around to thinking about what Jesus said to me
Cause if heaven’s like this then that’s the place for me
Long, long time between now and my death
And I’ve gotta have my fun so I’ve chosen what’s best

Well, here it comes
Here comes the sound
The sound of confusion
Well, here it comes
Here comes the sound
The sound of love

So listen sweet Lord, forgive me my sins
Cause I can’t stand this life without all of these things
Know I done wrong, but I’ve found heaven on Earth
Know I done wrong, but I could’ve done me worse

Here it comes (here it comes)
Here it comes (here it comes)
Here it comes (here it comes)
The sound of love (the sound of love)
The sound of love (the sound of love)

Well, here it comes
Here comes the sound
The sound of confusion
Well, here it comes
Here comes the sound
The sound of love

Songwriters: Jason Pierce and Peter Kember

Sources: wikipedia, wikipedia, wikipedia