We get enough Sweet Baby Jesus at this time of year to send us into a diabetic coma so I was taken off guard recently when I heard a song which was new to me. Where have I been? It was written by a favorite singer/songwriter of another era, Jackson Browne, but I was listening to a version by members of the Wainright/McGarrigle clan. It's called Rebel Jesus.
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
Will be gathering around the hearths and tables
Giving thanks for all God's graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus
They call him by the "Prince of Peace"
And they call him by "The Saviour"
And they pray to him upon the sea
And in every bold endeavor
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold
And their faith in him increases
But they've turned the nature that I worshipped in
From a temple to a robber's 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 there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus
But pardon me if I have seemed
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.
Here are a couple of versions, one by Martha Wainright and the other by Jackson Browne.
This song has some kick to it. Have you heard it before? Do you all know it and wonder how I missed it?
It has been around for awhile. Good song.
ReplyDeleteThe older youth at St Paul's looked and listened to it last year at Christmas...I like the message going into the post Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteNever heard it, though I am a newcomer to Jackson Browne. I know him from "No Nukes," and for whatever song of his was in "Forrest Gump."
ReplyDeleteI figured I had just missed out on it along the way, even though I once followed Browne fairly closely.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear you had the retro thing going with our young people Laura!
You're just too young for Browne Ian!