Trial Before Pilate lyrics

[Pilate]

And so the king is once again my guest

And why is this? Was Herod unimpressed?

[Caiaphas]

We turn to Rome to sentence Nazareth

We have no law to put a man to death

We need him crucified - it's all you have to do

We need him crucified - it's all you have to do

[Pilate]

Talk to me Jesus Christ

You have been brought here

Manacled, beaten by your own people

Do you have the first idea why you deserve it?

Listen King of the Jews,

Where is your kingdom?

Look at me. Am I a Jew?

[Jesus]

I have no kingdom in this world

I'm through

There may be a kingdom for me somewhere

If you only knew

[Pilate]

Then you are a king?

[Jesus]

It's you that say I am

I look for truth and find that I get damned

[Pilate]

But what is truth?

Is truth unchanging law?

We both have truths

Are mine the same as yours?

[Mob]

Crucify him! Crucify him!

[Pilate]

What do you mean?

You'd crucify your king?

[Mob]

We have no king but Caesar!

[Pilate]

He's done no wrong

No, not the slightest thing

[Mob]

We have no king but Caesar!

Crucify him!

[Pilate]

What is this new respect for Caesar?

'Till now this has been noticeably lacking

Who is this Jesus? Why is he different?

You choose Messiahs by the sackful

[Mob]

We need him crucified,

It's all you have to do

We need him crucified,

It's all you have to do

[Pilate]

Talk to me, Jesus Christ

Look at your Jesus Christ

I'll agree he's mad.

Ought to be locked up,

But that is not a reason to destroy him.

He's a sad little man

Not a King or God

Not a thief,

I need a crime!

[Mob]

Crucify him! Crucify him!

[Pilate]

Behold a man,

Behold your shattered King

[Mob]

We have no King but Caesar

[Pilate]

You hypocrites,

You hate us more than him

[Mob]

We have no King but Caesar,

Crucify him!

[Pilate]

I see no reason. I find no evil

This man is harmless, so why does he upset you?

He's just misguided, thinks he's important,

But to keep you vultures happy I shall flog him

[Mob]

Crucify him! Crucify him!

Crucify him! Crucify him!

(Thirty-nine lashes, Pilate counts)

[Pilate]

Where are you from Jesus?

What do you want Jesus?

Tell me

You've got to be careful

You could be dead soon,

Could well be.

Why do you not speak when

I hold your life in my hands?

How can you stay quiet?

I don't believe you understand.

[Jesus]

You have nothing in your hands

Any power you have, comes to you from far beyond

Everything is fixed, and you can't change it

[Pilate]

You're a fool Jesus Christ.

How can I help you?

[Mob]

Pilate, crucify him!

Remember Caesar

You have a duty

To keep the peace, so crucify him!

Remember Caesar

You'll be demoted

You'll be deported. Crucify him!

[Mob]

Remember Caesar

You have a duty

To keep the peace, so crucify him!

Remember Caesar

You'll be demoted

You'll be deported. Crucify him!

[Mob]

Remember Caesar

You have a duty

To keep the peace, so crucify him!

Remember Caesar

You'll be demoted

You'll be deported. Crucify him!

[Pilate]

Don't let me stop your great self-destruction

Die if you want to, you misguided martyr

I wash my hands of your demolition

Die if you want to you innocent puppet!

• Artist:Jesus Christ Superstar (Musical)
• Album:Jesus Christ Superstar