Bebo Norman

The Rebel Jesus

Bebo Norman


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
They'll be gathering 
Around the hearths 
And tales
Giving thanks 
For all god's 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 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 
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