The Rebel Jesus lyrics

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;

we’ll be gathering around the hearths and tables,

giving thanks for 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.

And they fill these churches with their pride and gold

as 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 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 a life of hardship and of earthly toil,

there’s a 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.

• Artist:Jackson Browne