The Ballad of the Rebel Jesus

[hedgehog]

The Rebel Jesus Lyrics by Jackson Browne
Original recording from the chieftains album the bells of dublin

All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
Theyll be gathering around the hearths and tales
Giving thanks for all gods graces
And the birth of the rebel jesus

Well they call him by the prince of peace
And they call him by the savior
And they pray to him upon the seas
And in every bold endeavor
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold
And their faith in him increases
But theyve turned the nature that I worshipped in
From a temple to a robbers den
In the words of the rebel jesus

We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why they are poor
They get the same as the rebel jesus

But please forgive me if I seem
To take the tone of judgement
For I've no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In this life of hardship and of earthly toil
We have need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure
And I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel jesus.




Merry Christmas!

[JerseygirlCT]

1. Love that song

But I love Jackson Browne, period.

And, come to think on it, The Chieftains, too!

Thanks!

[saltpoint]

3. Agree, JerseygirlCT. Every time you post on music on DU, you make

more sense than the proverbial thousand music critics.

Sounds like you've got this one right, too.

Three cheers for that, and a happy holidays wish as well.

[JerseygirlCT]

5. Thanks, Old Crusoe.

Obviously, we share the same impeccable taste!

And some very happy holidays to you too!

[FtWayneBlue]

2. I resemble that sentiment..

I too, am a heathen and a pagan,
on the side of the rebel Jesus.

Other fitting songs are "The Holidays are Here Again and We're Still At War"

and

Willie Nelson's "Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth?"



May Peace prevail on earth, and best wishes to all for the new year.

[knitter4democracy]

4. The band Seven Nations has a great rendition of that, too.

It's on the Cleveland Celtic podcast from the day after Thanksgiving, if you want to hear it.