Patti Smith Gloria In Excelsis Deo Lyrics

Okay, let's talk about a song. Not just *any* song, but Patti Smith's wild child version of "Gloria." You know, the one that starts all churchy and then just… explodes.

Think back to the late '70s. Punk was brewing, and Patti Smith was one of its high priestesses. She was a poet, a performer, a force of nature.

And then she took a perfectly respectable rock 'n' roll song, "Gloria" by Them (featuring a young Van Morrison), and turned it into something else entirely.

The "Gloria" Transformation

The original "Gloria" is a cool, garage rock anthem. Smith, however, wasn't content with just cool. She wanted transcendent.

So, she did something unexpected. She added poetry. She started her version not with the familiar guitar riff, but with the Latin phrase "Gloria In Excelsis Deo."

Now, that's Latin for "Glory to God in the Highest." Pretty serious stuff, right?

Why the Hymn Start?

Here's where it gets interesting. Some people think it was a deliberate act of rebellion, a way of contrasting the sacred with the secular, the holy with the profane.

Maybe. But maybe it was just... Patti Smith being Patti Smith. She was known to weave her own words into the existing song.

Imagine her, rummaging through books, stumbling across the phrase, and thinking, "That sounds good. I'll use that." It fits the vibe.

The "Horses" Connection

The song appears on her debut album, ***Horses***. That album is a game-changer. Full of poetry, raw energy and passion.

Her cover of "Gloria" became its signature track. It announced Patti Smith as a major artist.

The "Gloria" on ***Horses*** is more than a cover. It's a statement.

The Lyrics: A Blend of Sacred and Profane

After the "Gloria In Excelsis Deo," she doesn't sing Van Morrison's lyrics straight. She spins them, bends them, adds her own.

She throws in lines like, "Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine." That's a powerful lyric to start with.

It’s a rejection of traditional dogma. It's about taking ownership of her own experiences. She re-works the whole song.

The Live Experience

To truly appreciate Patti Smith's "Gloria," you have to imagine seeing her perform it live. Imagine the energy, the sweat, the pure rock 'n' roll abandon.

She'd often improvise new lyrics, extending the song into epic, sprawling jams. No two performances were ever quite the same.

It was like witnessing a religious experience... but one fueled by guitars and righteous anger.

A Song That Still Resonates

Decades later, Patti Smith's "Gloria" still crackles with electricity. It is a timeless song.

It’s a testament to the power of artistic reinvention. It’s a reminder that you can take something familiar and make it utterly, uniquely your own.

So next time you hear it, pay attention to the "Gloria In Excelsis Deo." Appreciate the poetry, the passion, and the sheer audacity of Patti Smith taking a hymn and turning it into a rock 'n' roll masterpiece.

And maybe, just maybe, you'll understand why it's still so darn cool after all these years.