Godless Lyrics Contest
Anthropologists believe that music was one of the earliest forms of worship when men first created gods for themselves. In the modern world, we have found that music is just as well suited to criticizing religion as it is to promoting it. Below, I have included the lyrics to two of my favorite songs about religion. What are yours?
No later than Friday, November 11, submit lyrics to one of your favorite songs about god or religion. Please cut and paste the lyrics into a comment so that people don’t have to follow a link to see them. I ask you to limit yourself to a single entry so that all the obvious ones aren’t taken by the first few people. As always, I will choose the winners.
Holyman
Blind Melon
I was born on the banks off a hot muddy river
The child of one stupid steamy night
Born to roam beneath the sun
What do you think of me? I’m better left alone
I met a Holyman that said that he knew the way
And he’d like to show me so my life won’t go astray
Take my hand child now little boy don’t you be afraid
I’ll take your soul and walk on water
Holyman, ya don’t understand
The cuts on me they run much deeper
Holyman, you righteous man
I’ve been shown the way a thousand times
Not one a keeper
Older man he said I’ll tell you boy
You’ve planted rotten seeds
And in a land of happiness
They’ll grow us evil trees
Guided minds, and eyes that will never see
Holyman I’ll tell you
Just what it is that I believe
Holyman I tell you boy you gotta
Believe in what you see
Cause its you that corrupt us man and
Deep throat philosophy
I don’t need your spells or the little
Games you try to pull on me
Come to think of it I don’t need your religion
Gotta get away
Everybody prays
Let me find my own way
Opiate
Tool
Choices always were a problem for you.
What you need is someone strong to guide you.
Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow,
what you need is someone strong to guide you…
like me.
If you want to get your soul to heaven,
trust in me now. Don’t you judge or question.
You are broken now, but faith can heal you.
Just do everything I tell you to do.
Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow.
Let me lay my holy hand upon you.
My god’s will
becomes me.
When he speaks,
he speaks through me.
He has needs
like I do.
We both want
to rape you.
Jesus Christ, why don’t you come save my life now.
Open my eyes. Blind me with your light now.
~I AM~
P.S. Jeff (Buzzcat), I’m counting on you for a winner.
November 5th, 2005 at at 11:31 am
Is it too obvious to post a Bad Religion song? Probably. Here goes:
Sinister Rouge
Bad Religion
Innocents burned,
alive at the stake
Tortured and dumped
In nameless graves
Centuries wane
Authority died
Scattering seeds of ancient lies
Sinister rouge
Coming back for more
To even the score
Sinister rouge
Coming back for more
To even the score
Child molesters
And Jesuits
Holding secret conference
Underneath the pontiff’s nose
And only God will ever know
Sinister rouge
Coming back for more
To even the score
Sinister rouge
Coming back for more
To even the score
Give us this day
Our daily bread
Your legacy
We’ll not forget
Lick the wounds
Cleanse the land
The modern world
Rejects your hand
Sinister rouge
Coming back for more
To even the score
Sinister rouge
Coming back for more
To even the score
Sinister rouge
The nightmare comes in sinister rouge
November 5th, 2005 at at 12:18 pm
I suppose just about any Slayer song might do, but here’s one I find amusing:
New Faith
Slayer
Holy man open up your eyes
To the ways of the world you’ve been so blind
As the walls of religion come crashing down
How’s the ignorance taste the second time around
Tell me how it feels knowing chaos will never end
Tell me what it’s like when the celebration begins
Welcome to the horror of the revelation
Tell me what you think of your savior now
I reject all the biblical views of the truth
Dismiss it as the folklore of the times
I won’t be force-fed prophecies
From a book of untruths for the weakest mind
Join the new faith for the celebration
Cult of new faith fuels the devastation
Holy man come and worship me
I am all that you ever wanted to be
I’m the life of indulgence you never new
The epitome of evil shining through
Tell me how it feels knowing chaos will never end
Tell me what it’s like when the celebration begins
Welcome to the horror of the revelation
Tell me what you think of your savior now
I reject all the biblical views of the truth
Dismiss it as the folklore of the times
I won’t be force-fed prophecies
From a book of untruths for the weakest mind
I keep the bible in a pool of blood
So that none of its likes can affect me
This is new faith
A different way of life
Witness the shame
See for yourself the lies
I’ll take the fight
Bring it every time, any time
Refuse to let them win
My heresy begins
Pray for life - wish for death
Pray for life - know in time you’ll pray for death
Tear it away
It lives inside your mind
Silence the fear
That keeps you pure inside
Now you can see
Life’s atrocities endlessly
Witness the miracle
Witness the miracle
November 5th, 2005 at at 12:27 pm
Lack of edit slays me (cough). The last line in the 6th paragraph should read “So that none of its lies can affect me”.
In a mildly related tangent, Slayer are linked at the wiki list of celebrity atheists. Most of the list is composed of individuals such as Billy Joel, not musical groups.
November 5th, 2005 at at 1:06 pm
Dear God by XTC (lyrics don’t do the performance justice)
Dear God,
Hope you got the letter,
And I pray you can make it better down here.
I don’t mean a big reduction in the price of beer,
But all the people that you made in your image,
See them starving on their feet,
‘Cause they don’t get enough to eat
From God,
I can’t believe in you.
Dear God,
sorry to disturb you,
but I feel that I should be heard loud and clear.
We all need a big reduction in amount of tears,
And all the people that you made in your image,
See them fighting in the street,
‘Cause they can’t make opinions meet,
About God,
I can’t believe in you.
Did you make disease, and the diamond blue?
Did you make mankind after we made you?
And the devil too!
Dear God,
Don’t know if you noticed,
But your name is on a lot of quotes in this book.
Us crazy humans wrote it, you should take a look,
And all the people that you made in your image,
Still believing that junk is true.
Well I know it ain’t and so do you,
Dear God,
I can’t believe in,
I don’t believe in,
I won’t believe in heaven and hell.
No saints, no sinners,
No Devil as well.
No pearly gates, no thorny crown.
You’re always letting us humans down.
The wars you bring, the babes you drown.
Those lost at sea and never found,
And it’s the same the whole world ’round.
The hurt I see helps to compound,
that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
Is just somebody’s unholy hoax,
And if you’re up there you’ll perceive,
That my heart’s here upon my sleeve.
If there’s one thing I don’t believe in…
It’s you,
Dear God.
November 5th, 2005 at at 1:33 pm
Durh…”Imagine” by John Lennon
Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
November 5th, 2005 at at 2:17 pm
This is from an underground rapper named Alias. The song isn’t really about godlessness or anything. In fact, it’s actually Alias singing from the viewpoint of God, or something like God. It’s called “Divine Disappointment”.
“paradise of fools.”
my frustration aimed at what i created has me feeling discombobulated.
i hated the boredom, so i reinstated entertainment
for my well-being, now i’m seeing i made the wrong decision.
my project had appeared easy but had no direction and precision.
beginner’s luck,
only up to recent times do i feel stuck.
i’m the only one to blame for things that ran amuck. i built up,
a universe that is now building me, you see
technological advancement is the creater now, and all things to be decided,
will have not even once touched my hands.
my quote unquote followers still constantly fill the stands,
on the so-called sabbath day, for years it’s been this way,
but these people can’t figure out,
whether it’s the first or last day to pray.
they seem to think that i’m forgiving of all,
which means they have a scapegoat, if they happen to drop the ball.
i’ve been coined with various names, none of which to me are flattering.
they look to me for a guidance, but to me they do not matter in my eyes.
there’s nothing i can do to help this situation,
when they have internal conflicts with their whole congregation.
they gather every week and speak of me in song,
these beings i created in this project gone terribly wrong.
chorus:
you all claim that you know me,
but you really don’t, ever forgiving
you say of me, in reality, i really won’t.
from the day i gave you life to your last annointment.
you have all been nothing but divine disappointment.
so now i’m stuck to figure out what i should do at this point and time.
these creatures think that there’s an afterlife,
so they spend their life benign. they killed another creature years ago
that claimed to be my son, so now they mold their lives
after him and claim that he’s the one.
the one that will save them, lead them to a new breath.
i hate to break it to them, “i have nothing for you after death.”
so carry on if you wish unknowing, thinking breath is wind blowing,
magnifying light bulb is the sun, and tears of rivers flowing.
think that every bad thing that happens to you is at my will,
like bankrupcy, adultery, and the reason why others kill.
go on to be mislead as you have your entire life,
think that i’ll somehow reward you for all your pain and strife.
i can’t control destiny, where’d you come up with that notion?
there’s no cure for aids, so don’t even bother with that potion.
i didn’t create the disease to punish others,
i didn’t even make it, so if you have that frame of mind
you go ahead and break it.
i’m sick and tired of feeling responsiblity for all of you ungratefuls,
unwilling to share with the starving while you enjoy all of your platefuls.
even if i had the power to help you, i wouldn’t even bother.
so stop thinking that i love you and stop calling me your father.
i didn’t plan on you evolving into this mess with which i deal.
asking for my forgiveness when you lie, cheat, and steal.
what the hell do you want me to do? try and save yourself.
i can’t help your marriage, chlldren, or status of health.
my problem’s far away any of your so-called devastations,
like this oncoming war between the so-called united nations.
i regret making all of you, you make my blood pressure climb.
i wish i didn’t make you but even i couldn’t turn back the hands of time.
November 5th, 2005 at at 2:20 pm
I like Metallica’s battery. My favorite line is “crushing all devievers, and mashing non-believers” , an adequate descritption of monotheist policies towards religious tolerance. I like the song for how it does not openly come out and condemn religion, but why call religion “battery?” Note that Master of Puppets is one of the best anti-religious CDs ever put out.
Lashing out the action, returning the reaction
Weak are ripped and torn away
Hypnotizing power, crushing all that cower
Battery is here to stay
Smashing through the boundaries
lunacy has found me
cannot stop the Battery
Pounding out aggression
turns into obsession
cannot kill the Battery
Cannot kill the family
Battery is found in me
Battery
Battery
Crushing all deceivers, mashing non-believers
never ending potency
Hungry violence seeker, feeding off the weaker
Breeding on insanity
Smashing through the boundaries
lunacy has found me
cannot stop the Battery
Pounding out aggression
turns into obsession
cannot kill the Battery
Cannot kill the family
Battery is found in me
Battery
Battery
Circle of Destruction, Hammer comes crushing
Powerhouse of energy
Whipping up a fury, Dominating flurry
We create the Battery
Smashing through the boundaries
lunacy has found me
cannot stop the Battery
Pounding out aggression
turns into obsession
cannot kill the Battery
Cannot kill the family
Battery is found in me
Battery
Battery
Battery
Battery
November 5th, 2005 at at 3:26 pm
Well, I have two; my submission and bonus lyrics for a song I wrote:
“Religion”
By Bernie Taupin
Well he could almost taste the money
But he was sitting in a den of thieves
Looking for the great awakening
Trying to find a way to leave
But that’s when he got religion
And the light went on inside
He said somebody up there likes me
Now he’s working for the holy guide
He got drunk but he don’t remember
That he’d been drinking in a bar downtown
When he thought he heard a choir of angels
Singing in the Tiki Lounge
And that’s when he got religion
From no salesman on TV
Just a tap on the shoulder in the parking lot
He still drinks but he does believe
Religion, you do the best you can
We all make the same mistakes
We’re gonna wind up with the man
Religion, oh you do the best you can
We all make the same mistakes
We’re gonna wind up with the man
She was silent as he paid her
But the thanks she got was next to none
And as her car pulled out of the motel
She felt the presence of someone
And that’s when she got religion
In the front of a compact Ford
Just a gentle voice on the stereo
Now she’s a working girl who loves the lord
And one of my own compositions:
“The God Who Wasn’t There”
By me (Dante)
I used to be a believer
I said I’d never leave her
But then my faith just disappeared
I started asking questions
I didn’t take suggestions
And that is how I wound up here
Chorus:
He’s the god who wasn’t there
Left his people in despair
He couldn’t even answer one single prayer
He’s the God, the god who wasn’t there
My faith just never made it
To be excommunicated
I wanted to get out and fast
No more Easter or Lent
No more “Time to Repent!”
Those things just came to pass
November 5th, 2005 at at 4:10 pm
You can’t forget Rush’s “Freewill”. Every time I hear it, I turn the sound up.
There are those who think that life has nothing left to chance,
A host of holy horrors to direct our aimless dance.
A planet of playthings,
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
“The stars aren’t aligned,
Or the gods are malign…”
Blame is better to give than receive.
Chorus
You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill;
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose freewill.
There are those who think that they were dealt a losing hand,
The cards were stacked against them; they weren’t born in Lotusland.
All preordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate.
Kicked in the face,
You can’t pray for a place
In heaven’s unearthly estate.
Chorus
Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete.
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt that’s far too fleet.
Chorus
November 5th, 2005 at at 5:34 pm
Ani Difranco - “What if no one’s watching?”
If my life were a movie
There would be a sunset
And the camera would pan away
But the sky is just a little sister
Tagging along behind the buildings
Trying to imitate their gray
The little boys are breaking bottles
Against the sidewalk
The big boys too
The girls are hanging out at the candy store
Pumping quarters into the phone
Because they don’t want to go home
I think what
What if no one’s watching
What if when we’re dead
We are just dead
I mean what
What if god ain’t looking down
What if he’s looking up instead
If my life were a movie
I would light a cigarette
And the smoke would curl
Around my face
Everything I do would be interesting
I’d play the good guy
In every scene
But I always feel I have to
Take a stand
And there’s always someone on hand
To hate me for standing there
I always feel I have to open my mouth
And every time I do
I offend someone somewhere
But what
What if no one’s watching
What if when we’re dead
We are just dead
What if there’s no time to lose
What if there’s things we gotta do
Things that need to be said
You know I can’t apologize
For everything I know
I mean you don’t have to agree with me
But once you get me going
You better just let me go
We have to be able to criticize
What we love
To say what we have to say
‘Cause if you’re not trying
To make something better
Then as far as I’m concerned
You are just in the way
But what
What if no one’s watching
What if when we’re dead
We are just dead
I mean what
What if it’s just us down here
What if god is just an idea
Someone put in your head
November 5th, 2005 at at 6:33 pm
This is one from a band I enjoyed in the ’80s. I have no idea if it’s relevant to the contest.
“The Wages Of Sin” by The Rainmakers
Written by Bob Walkenhorst
—————————————————
I was praying last night when an angel broke the line
She said “I’m gonna have to put you on hold for a time”
I said “Hold like Hell, let me talk to the Boss”
She said “Sorry sucker (sinner), it’s the Boss’s day off”
And I realized then that the wages of sin
Was two bucks an hour and working weekends
I was ignoring the thief who was lashed to the cross
He cried “Help me get this son-of-a-bitch off”
I said “I would if I could, I can’t so I won’t
Well I wouldn’t want you messing your hair up, so don’t”
And I realized then that the wages of sin
Was all the lumber you can carry, all the nails you can bend
The wages of sin, the price that you pay
Is worrying and fretting every second of the day
If Heaven is guilt, no sex and no show
Then I’m not sure if I really want to go, Oh
The wages of sin, the reward of fear
Is worrying and fretting every second of the year
The Church and the State, your God and Countrykind
One gets your body, the other gets your mind
Mary, Mary Magdalene, how ’bout a date?
You’ve been wasting your time staying up so late
Your boyfriend’s dead, the word is you’re a whore
Just about then I heard a knock on the door
And I realized then that the wages of sin
Was a bad reputation and too many friends
The wages of sin (repeats)
November 5th, 2005 at at 8:05 pm
_Heresy_ by Nine Inch Nails.
he sewed his eyes shut because he is afraid to see
he tries to tell me what I put inside of me
he’s got the answers to ease my curiosity
he dreamed up a god and called it Christianity
your god is dead and no one cares
if there is a hell I will see you there
he flexed his muscles to keep his flock of sheep in line
he made a virus that would kill off all the swine
his perfect kingdom of killing, suffering and pain
demands devotion atrocities done in his name
your god is dead and no one cares
drowning in his own hypocrisy
and if there is a hell I will see you there
burning with your god in humility
will you die for this?
November 5th, 2005 at at 10:30 pm
This was a hard contest, I AM… but Tori just kept coming back to me, so here ya go!
Crucify, Tori Amos
every finger in the room
is pointing at me
i wanna spit in their faces
then i get afraid what that could bring
i got a bowling ball in my stomach
i got a desert in my mouth
figures that my COURAGE
would choose to sell out now
i’ve been looking for a savior
in these dirty streets
looking for a savior
beneath these dirty sheets
i’ve been raising up my hands
drive another nail in
just what GOD needs
one more victim
why do we crucify ourselves
every day i crucify myself
nothing i do is good enough for you
crucify myself
every day
i crucify myself
and my HEART is sick of being
in chains
got a kick for a dog
beggin’ for LOVE
i gotta have my suffering
so that i can have my cross
i know a cat named easter
he says will you ever learn
you’re just an empty cage girl
if you kill the bird
i’ve been looking for a savior
in these dirty streets
looking for a savior
beneath these dirty sheets
i’ve been raising up my hands
drive another nail in
got enough GUILT to start
my own religion
why do we crucify ourselves
every day i crucify myself
nothing i do is good enough for you
crucify myself
every day i crucify myself
and my HEART is sick of being in chains
please be
save me
i CRY
looking for a savior
in these dirty streets
looking for a savior
beneath these dirty sheets
i’ve been raising up my hands
drive another nail in
where are those angels
when you need them
why do we crucify ourselves
every day i crucify myself
nothing i do is good enough for you
crucify myself
every day i crucify myself
and my HEART is sick of being
in chains
why do we
crucify ourselves
everyday
never going back again
crucify myself
again you know
never going back again to
crucify myself
everyday
November 6th, 2005 at at 12:04 am
Does “Like a Prayer” by Madonna qualify? Even if it doesn’t, it’s dirty and I like it.
“Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name
And it feels like home
Chorus:
When you call my name it’s like a little prayer
I’m down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour I can feel your power
Just like a prayer you know I’ll take you there
I hear your voice, it’s like an angel sighing
I have no choice, I hear your voice
Feels like flying
I close my eyes, Oh God I think I’m falling
Out of the sky, I close my eyes
Heaven help me
(chorus)
Like a child you whisper softly to me
You’re in control just like a child
Now I’m dancing
It’s like a dream, no end and no beginning
You’re here with me, it’s like a dream
Let the choir sing
(chorus)
Just like a prayer, your voice can take me there
Just like a muse to me, you are a mystery
Just like a dream, you are not what you seem
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there
Just like a prayer, I’ll take you there
It’s like a dream to me “
November 6th, 2005 at at 1:33 am
“Wooden Jesus”
By Chris Cornell
Wooden Jesus where are you from
Korea or Canada or maybe Taiwan
I didn’t know it was the Holy Land
But I believed from the minute
The check left my hand, and I pray
Can I be saved, I spent all my money
On a future grave
Wooden Jesus I’ll cut you in
On twenty percent of my future sin
Porcelain Mary her majesties pure
Looking for virgin territory
Coat hanger halos don’t come cheap
From television shepherds with living room
Sheep, and I pray
Can I be saved, I spent all my money
On a future grave
Wooden Jesus I’ll cut you in
On twenty percent of my future sin
November 6th, 2005 at at 6:31 pm
I like Jello Biafra getting right to the point:
“All religions make me wanna throw up
All religions make me sick
All religions make me wanna throw up
All religions suck.”
–”Religious Vomit,” Dead Kennedys
Done and done.
November 6th, 2005 at at 10:29 pm
How about this one?
I Ain’t Afraid, by Holly Near:
I ain’t afraid of your Yahweh
I ain’t afraid of your Allah
I ain’t afraid of your Jesus
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your God
I ain’t afraid of your churches
I ain’t afraid of your temples
I ain’t afraid of your praying
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your God
Rise up to your higher power
Free up from fear, it will devour you
Watch out for the ego of the hour
The ones who say they know it
are the ones who will impose it on you
I ain’t afraid of your Yahweh
I ain’t afraid of your Allah
I ain’t afraid of your Jesus
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your God
I ain’t afraid of your churches
I ain’t afraid of your temples
I ain’t afraid of your praying
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your God
Rise up, and find a higher story
Free up from the gods of war and glory
Watch out for the threats of purgatory
The spirit of the wind won’t make a killing off of sin and Satan
I ain’t afraid of your Bible
I ain’t afraid of your Torah
I ain’t afraid of your Koran
Dont let the letter of the law
Obsure the spirit of the your love
It’s killing us
I ain’t afraid of your Yahweh
I ain’t afraid of your Allah
I ain’t afraid of your Jesus
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your God
I ain’t afraid of your churches
I ain’t afraid of your temples
I ain’t afraid of your praying
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your God
I ain’t afraid of your money
I ain’t afraid of your culture
I ain’t afraid of your choices
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your God
I ain’t afraid of your Sunday
I ain’t afraid of your spirt
I ain’t afraid of your teachers
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your God
I ain’t afraid of your sabbath
I ain’t afraid of your borders
I ain’t afraid of your dances
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your God
I ain’t afraid of your children
I ain’t afraid of your music
I ain’t afraid of your stories
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your God
I ain’t afraid
(You can actually download this song for free on her website: http://hollynear.com/themusic.html)
November 6th, 2005 at at 11:00 pm
“Don’t Know When But A Day Is Gonna Come” by BRIGHT EYES
Is it true what I heard about the Son of God?
Did he come to save? Did he come at all?
And if I dried his feet,
with my dirty hair,
would he make me clean again?
They say they don’t know when but a day is gonna come,
when there won’t be a moon and there won’t be a sun.
It will just go black,
it will just go back
to the way it was before.
I knew a lovely girl, with such pretty pride,
and every man wanted her, and so did I.
So did I.
But she up and died
in a fit of vanity.
Now men with purple hearts, carry silver guns.
And they will kill a man for what his father has done.
But what my father did,
you know it don’t mean shit.
I’m not him.
So you think I need some discipline, well, I had my share.
I have been sent to my room. I’ve been sat in a chair.
And I held my tongue.
I didn’t plug my ears.
No, I got a good talking to.
And now I don’t know why, but I still try to smile
when they talk at me like I’m just a child.
Well, I’m not a child.
No, I am
much younger than that.
And now I have read some books and have grown quite brave.
If only I could just speak up I think I would say
that there is no truth.
There is only you
and what
you make the truth.
So I will just sing my song and I’ll pass a hat.
Then I’ll leave your town and never look back.
No, I don’t look back
because the road is clear
and laid out ahead of me.
I’ll get home and meet my friends at our favorite bar.
We’ll get some lighter heads for our heavy hearts.
And we will share a drink.
Yeah we will share our fears
and they will know how I love them.
They will know how I love.
They will know how I love them.
I am nothing without their looooooooooooooove.
I don’t know when but a day is gonna come
when there won’t be a moon and there won’t be a sun.
It will all go black.
It will all go back
to the way it is supposed to be.
Is it true what I heard about the Son of God?
Did he die for us? Did he die at all?
And if I sold my soul
for a bag of gold,
which one of us would be the foolish one?
Which one of us would be the fool?
Which one of us would be the foolish one?
Which one of us would be the foooooooooooool?
Could you please start explaining?
You know, I need some understanding.
I could do good with some explaining.
You know. I want to understaaaaaaaand.
November 7th, 2005 at at 12:26 am
Judith by A Perfect Circle
You’re such an inspiration
For the ways
That I’ll never ever choose to be
Oh so many ways for me to show you
How your savior has abandoned you
(Fuck Your God)
Your Lord, your Christ
(He did this)
Took all you had and
(Left you this way)
Still you pray, never stray, never
(Taste of the fruit)
Never thought to question why
It’s not like you killed someone
It’s not like you drove a hateful spear
Into his side
Praise the one who left you
Broken down and paralyzed
He did it all for you…
He did it all for you…
Oh so many ways
For me to show you
How your dogma has abandoned you
(Pray)
To your Christ, to your God, never
(Taste of the fruit)
Never stray, never break, never
(Choke on a lie)
Even though he’s the one who
(Did this to you)
You never thought to question why
It’s not like you killed someone
It’s not like you drove a spiteful spear
Into his side
Talk to Jesus Christ
As if he knows the reasons why
He did it all for you…
Did it all for you…
He did it all for you…
November 7th, 2005 at at 4:32 am
**Explicit Lyrics**
DZK
Bow Down (and Pray to Your God)
(just verses two and three)
[verse]:[2]
what kinda creator would make a race of people
and make em act a certain way or else He deems ‘em evil?
HOW can You give a living being the freedom to breathe
and then lead em into sea of decievers who greet em, see,
it’s not a miracle, when you beat a disease [please]
it’s not a miracle, when you breed and receive
a baby from a lady, it’s nature, you can pray to a tree
it don’t mean the seasons are changing cuz you believe in the leaves
faith is a crazy made up way to explain, what you can’t explain
in way that you can’t debate it, it’s insane that we live in a nation,
that’s innovative enough to create a station in space
but we still praise the pages of an ancient publication
considered great…. in the motherfuckin middles ages,
I’m sick of the way this civilization blames their hatred
on a simple fictional basis such as Satan it makes me
sick to my stomach, it’s just disgusting aint it?
[hook]:
[bow down and] - pray
pray to your god
[now, bow down and] -pray
pray to your god
[verse]:[3]
and I’m sick of censorship committees, grippin the dicks of Christian Ministries
who are admittingly, just letting any priest get a piece,
of greased little boy keester and get away free
while they celebrate Easter… Jesus, it’s un-fuckin-believable
that you people still worship invisible entities, I mean,
who seriously wants to live for infinity? are you kidding me?
if you guys wanna censor a bigger lie, try the validity
of a city sittin in the sky, where everybody who died is now living
better yet, convince me that the visceral presence
of an invincible peasant will some-how better my fuckin intelligence
and gimme some evidence, heaven exists, besides some lessons
written by guys who couldn’t technically give any relevant tips
except that I should be a celibate twit who cries like a bitch
to a timeless spirit everytime that I’m fearing some shit
the entire idea of religion’s been queer since it was twisted
to it’s limit, now it’s a just mere hindrance
November 7th, 2005 at at 6:55 am
Kinda surprised this one never got a look in… okay, so it’s not about God DIRECTLY. It’s maybe even more appropriate - it’s about the shysters, liars and con-artists who prey on the gullible and suck on what’s left of their minds…
Genesis: “Jesus He Knows Me”
You see the face on the tv screen, coming at you every Sunday
See that face on the billboard? That man is me.
On the cover of the magazine, there’s no question why I’m smiling.
You buy a piece of paradise, you buy a piece of me.
I’ll get you everything you wanted, I’ll get you everything you need.
You don’t need to believe in hereafter, just believe in me
‘Cos jesus he knows me, and he knows I’m right.
I’ve been talking to jesus all my life
Oh yes he knows me, and he knows I’m right.
And he’s been telling me everything is alright
I believe in the family with my ever loving wife beside me;
But she don’t know about my girlfriend or the man I met last night.
Do you believe in God? ‘Cos that’s what I’m selling.
And if you wanna get to heaven, I’ll see you right.
You won’t even have to leave your house or get outta your chair
You don’t even have to touch that dial - ‘cos I’m everywhere.
And jesus he knows me and he knows I’m right.
I’ve been talking to jesus all my life.
Oh yes he knows me and he knows I’m right.
Well he’s been telling me everything’s gonna be alright.
Won’t find me practising what I’m preaching
Won’t find me making no sacrifice
But I can get you a pocketful of miracles
If you promise to be good, try to be nice
God will take good care of you
Just do as I say, don’t do as I do
I’m counting my blessings, I’ve found true happiness
‘Cos I’m getting richer, day by day
You can find me in the phone book, just call my toll free number
You can do it anyway you want, just do it right away
There’ll be no doubt in your mind, you’ll believe everything I’m saying
If you wanna get closer to him - get on your knees and start paying
‘Cos jesus he knows me and he knows I’m right
I’ve been talking to jesus all my life
Oh yes he knows me And he knows I’m right
Well he’s been telling me everything’s gonna be alright, alright
Jesus he knows me, Jesus he knows me, you know…
November 7th, 2005 at at 10:03 am
Rammstein has released a song called “Halleluja”, quite good lyrics (in German, though, but an English translation can be found on http://herzeleid.com/en/lyrics/misc#halleluja ). It’s about a Catholic priest who doesn’t have a wife, so he has to love the altar boys…
Halleluja
Er ist fromm und sehr sensibel
an seiner Wand ein Bild des Herrn
er wischt die Flecken von der Bibel
das Abendmahl verteilt er gern
Er liebt die Knaben aus dem Chor
sie halten ihre Seelen rein
doch Sorge macht ihm der Tenor
so muss er ihm am nächsten sein
auf seinem Nachttisch still und stumm
ein Bild des Herrn
er dreht es langsam um
Wenn die Turmuhr zweimal schlägt
halleluja
faltet er die Hände zum Gebet
halleluja
er ist ohne Weib geblieben
halleluja
so muss er seinen Nächsten lieben
halleluja
Der junge Mann darf bei ihm bleiben
die Sünde nistet überm Bein
so hilft er gern sie auszutreiben
bei Musik und Kerzenschein
Wenn die Turmuhr zweimal schlägt
halleluja
faltet er die Hände zum Gebet
halleluja
er ist ohne Weib geblieben
halleluja
so muss er seinen Nächsten lieben
halleluja
Wenn die Turmuhr zweimal schlägt
halleluja
nimmt er den Jungen ins Gebet
halleluja
er ist der wahre Christ
halleluja
und weiß, was Nächstenliebe ist
halleluja
Dreh dich langsam um
dreh dich um
November 7th, 2005 at at 10:19 am
Troff:
I almost used that song as an example. Nice choice.
I can think of at least three more songs that I thought were obvious and haven’t been used yet. I’m really pleasantly surprised with the number and quality of selections, though. There’s a lot of stuff here I’ve never heard of.
November 7th, 2005 at at 10:52 am
“God”
Tori Amos
God sometimes you just don’t come through
God sometimes you just don’t come through
Do you need a woman to look after you
God sometimes you just don’t come through
You make pretty daisies pretty daisies
Love I gotta find what you’re doing about things
Here a few witches burning
Gets a little toasty here
I gotta find why you always go when the wind blows
Tell me you’re crazy maybe then I’ll understand
You got your 9 ironin the back seat
Just in case
Heard you’re gone south well
Babe you love your new 4 wheel
I gotta find why you always go when the wind blows
Will you even tell her if you decide to make the sky fall
Will you even tell her if you decide to make the sky
God sometimes you just odn’t come through
God sometimes you just don’t come through
Do you need a woman to look after you
God sometimes you just don’t come through
Do you need a woman to look after you
God sometimes you just don’t come through
November 7th, 2005 at at 1:43 pm
“Keep Your Jesus Off My…”
by Eric Schwartz
Keep your Jesus off my penis,
Keep your Bible off my balls,
Keep your prayers from out my ears
And your crosses off my walls!
You can keep the Virgin Mother,
And the resurrection too!
Keep your Jesus off my penis,
I’ll keep my penis offa you!
Well I’m freakin sick and tired
Of turning on the news
And seeing the religious right’s
Ungodly fight
To take our right to choose.
When to bear our children,
Who to love and how,
Education and protection
If we’re just practicing for now!
So W, look, obey a book
If that’s what works for you;
But I don’t tell you how to pray,
So don’t you tell me how to screw!
[chorus - Keep your Jesus off my penis…]
So you’re screaming bloody murder
About the Taliban regime
Subjugatin women,
And being too extreme;
And basing legislation
On some ancient holy book.
Does that sound a bit familiar?
Here’s a mirror, have a look!
And as for the ten commandments,
They need one more at least:
“Thou shalt never cover up
The acts of pervert priests!”
Now how can they let that happen,
Unless they just abhor us?
Well, anyway, it adds
Another layer to the chorus!
[chorus - Keep your Jesus off my penis…]
So you’ll execute a person,
And protect a single cell;
But mercy-kill the terminally ill
And you’re going straight to hell!
Well, I don’t know much about
The word of God, Far be it from me,
But I can tell you what it ain’t:
HYPOCHRISTIANITY!
Now I am not anti-Christian,
Before you grab a rope.
There’s beauty in religion
And joy and love and hope,
And we’re all looking for the answers
To the collossal cosmic cause,
But who the fuck are you
To turn your views in my laws!?!
It’s just believers in the bible
That would have abortion banned.
Anti-choice agnostics,
I can count ‘em on one hand! [holds middle finger up]
And as for killin’ babies,
I have but one retort:
If someone raped your daughter,
George, you’d beg her to abort.
And if some young girl from your church
Shows up childless from some infection,
You taught her what a horrid sin it was
To use protection!
Well some day you’ll face the pearly gates,
And whatcha gonna say,
When that long-haired Jewish peacenick
Sends your ass the other way!?
Keep your Jesus off my penis,
Keep your Bible off my balls,
Keep your prayers from out my ears
And your crosses off my walls!
Look, I’ve had it up to here
With all the Biblophile disputes!!
So keep your Jesus off my penis,
At least that’s what I would do!
Keep your Jesus off my penis,
I’ll keep my penis offa you!
That’s… if’n you want me to. Heh heh heh.
November 7th, 2005 at at 5:00 pm
So many great songs! “Judith” played a big role in my resolve to seek my first divorce. {sigh}
The first song (other than Imagine) to come to my mind though is more about “questioning one’s lifelong patriotism/nationalism” than a specifically godless one though. I think that the element of “faith” being put aside makes it very relevant to this list though.
“Show Yourself” by Jefferson Starship (Grace Slick) from 1977’s “Earth”.
(this is from memory so may be slightly off…)
When I was young I used to stand
With my hand on my heart
And I would sing to you
You were my son and my lover
My father and my brother
I believed in you
It was so easy then
It was so easy then
But where are you now?
It seems like you can’t hear me anymore
Maybe you’re just getting too old.
Do you remember 201 years ago
When you were young
Oh! How strong you had become
Promising everyone, your sweet gift of freedom
Now you know exactly who I am
I seem to tell you all the time
So tell me some kind of truth about yourself
Your life should be as open as mine
There are children who die for you
That doesn’t sound like freedom to me
You keep on lying about why they’re dying
And they shouldn’t be
when they’re conceived in Liberty
Show yourself
Show yourself to me
You’re the one who told me
You told me I was born to be free
Show yourself
Show yourself to me
Open all your doors and show me
All your doors and your keys
I wanna see, I wanna hear ya
All 88 keys yeah
Give it to me…
Show yourself to me
I want to see the Stars and Stripes
That can make these strings
Scream!!!
Show yourself to me
November 7th, 2005 at at 5:35 pm
Breaking Into Heaven, by The Stone Roses
I’ve been casing your joint for the best years of my life
Like the look of your stuff, outta sight
When I’m hungry and when I’m cold
When I’m having it rough
Or just getting old
Listen up sweet child of mine
Have I got news for you
Nobody leaves this place alive
They’ll die and join the queue
Better man the barricades
I’m coming in tonight
Had a line of my dust, outta sight
When I wander and when I roam
I’ll find a soul I can trust
I’m coming home
Listen up sweet child of mine
Have I got news for you
Nobody leaves this place alive
They’ll die and join the queue, sing it
I’m, I’m gonna break right into heaven
I can’t wait anymore
Heavens gates won’t hold me
I’ll saw those suckers down
Laughing loud at your locks when they hit the ground
Every icon in every town
Hear this your numbers up
I’m coming round
Listen up sweet child of mine
Have I got news for you
Nobody leaves this place alive
They’ll die and join the queue, sing it
I’m, I’m gonna break right into heaven
I can’t wait anymore
How many times do I have to tell you
You don’t have to wait to die
You can have it all
Anytime you want it
Yeah, the kingdom’s all inside
Also, I like “Jesus” by the Velvet Underground, even if it is just really Lou Reed’s take on making a basic hymn.
November 7th, 2005 at at 5:53 pm
Peter Hammill’s The Lie from the album The Silent Corner, The Empty Stage. Worth finding a copy, just to listen to that voice and those words.
The Lie (Bernini’s St. Theresa)
Genuflection, erection in church.
Sacristy cloth, moth-eaten shroud.
Secret silence, sacred secrets
accumulate dust, aggravate the eye.
Incautious laughter after confession.
Benediction, fictional fear.
Hidden faces…Grace is a name,
like Chastity, like Lucifer, like mine.
You took me through the window-stain,
drowned in image, incense,
choir-refrain and slow ecstasy.
I’d embrace you if I only knew your name.
The silent corner haunts my shadow prayers.
ice-cold statue, rapture divine,
unconscious eyes, the open mouth,
the wound of love,
the Lie.
You took me, gave me reasons for
saints and missals, vigils,
all the more holy martyrs.
I’d embrace you and walk through
the one-way door.
I’d embrace you, but it would be
just another lie.
November 7th, 2005 at at 6:14 pm
Ah HELL! Willerror took mine! I’ll find something. . .
November 7th, 2005 at at 6:56 pm
“Moral Majority”
by The Dead Kennedys
You call yourself the Moral Majority
We call ourselves the people in the real world
Trying to rub us out, but we’re going to survive
God must be dead if you’re alive
You say, ‘God loves you. Come and buy the Good News’
Then you buy the president and swimming pools
If Jesus don’t save ’til we’re lining your pockets
God must be dead if you’re alive
Circus-tent con-men and Southern belle bunnies
Milk your emotions then they steal your money
It’s the new dark ages with the fascists toting bibles
Cheap nostalgia for the Salem Witch Trials
Stodgy ayatollahs in their dobble-knit ties
Burn lots of books so they can feed you their lies
Masturbating with a flag and a bible
God must be dead if you’re alive
Blow it out your ass, Jerry Falwell
Blow it out your ass, Jesse Helms
Blow it out your ass, Ronald Reagan
What’s wrong with a mind of my own?
You don’t want abortions, you want battered children
You want to ban the pill as if that solves the problem
Now you wanna force us to pray in school
God must be dead if you’re such a fool
You’re planning for a war with or without Iran
Building a police state with the Ku Klux Klan
Pissed at your neighbour? Don’t bother to nag
Pick up the phone and turn in a fag
Blow it out your ass, Terry Dolan
Blow it out your ass, Phyllis Schlafly
Ram it up your cunt, Anita
Cos God must be dead
If you’re alive
God must be dead
If you’re alive
November 7th, 2005 at at 6:56 pm
I see there are a number of Tori Amos tunes already, but why don’t I throw another one on the pile?
“Beulah Land”
beulah land
got a wasted gun
licorice man
i’ll sum you up thumbs up
got something in that sand
beulah girl
you been hitchin me up
got some candy
and sweet sing
give me religion
and a lobotomy
beulah land
you beautiful whore
tell me when
i don’t need you anymore
and said that somehow
you’re gonna get something here
so you’re right in the middle
and then i’m you
something is coming back again
i said
you
maybe i don’t wanna go
to live where you’re not so
beulah land
gotta find me a worm
a place to bathe this body on down
got a rubber board
and a crocodile
gonna float
on past your home
say when
just say when
just say when
Admittedly, it doesn’t make much sense on the screen. But I always like the lines about religion as a lobotomy.
November 7th, 2005 at at 8:09 pm
“God must be dead
If you’re alive”
Beautiful! F*cking beautiful!
November 7th, 2005 at at 8:26 pm
Ah, crap. It now occurs to me that I should have posted “Every Sperm Is Sacred”.
So, uh…everyone who reads “Imagine”, imagine that the lyrics are actually ESIS’s lyrics. They’re pretty much the same anyways.
*cough*
November 7th, 2005 at at 9:27 pm
Lonely
Sunday morning, 10 am
I wake to find my preacher friend
Screamin’ at me through my TV
That all I do is wrong
Standing there with his righteous self
He’s lost some faith, he’s gained some wealth
I don’t comprehend why I need to send
I hope he hears my song
You see, I’m lonely
But I don’t need you
To tell me
How to make it through
12 am on a Saturday
I walk the streets, to my dismay
My preacher friend’s on the corner again
Well, I look at him and smile
I say, I’m lonely
But I don’t need you
To tell me
How to make it through
‘Cause I can figure this out on my own
I don’t need you to tell me I’m wrong
Yes, I’m lonely
But I don’t need you
To tell me
How to make it through
-Crush
November 8th, 2005 at at 10:01 am
Well, I’m going to submit one of my own compositions (if you can call it that). Before I do, I’d like to invite anyone who has actually recorded his or her own anti-religion songs to submit them for inclusion on my own site, http://www.hiphopbullshit.com. I will include an MP3 of the song in my podcast.
Here’s my own submission (http://hiphopbs.blogspot.com/2005/09/he-doesnt-care.html):
There’s a star in the West. I’m so proud of Kanye
What we were all thinking is what he had the balls to say
Too long we’ve been ignoring the evidence
Believing what makes us feel good as if the facts are irrelevant
If it looks like he doesn’t care, it feels like he doesn’t notice
He doesn’t show us that he cares, relying on him is hopeless
How many people have been on the brink of death or crossed-over?
How many lucky ones are now left to be homeless?
Cut-skin in sewage-filled waters, shit and corpses, nothing ate
Robbing and rape, water blocking escape
Is it the poor that he hates, blacks or Southerners?
Or is it that he doesn’t give a fuck about none of us?
Why was nothing done to prevent this disaster?
Why was he so slow to help people after?
Why did the media and hip-hop have to kick-start the effort?
The fact that people don’t ask these questions leaves me breathless
Fuck George Bush and fuck all the preachers
God does not care about black people
Won’t take blame, and His fans help Him weasel
But God clearly doesn’t care about people
He saw it coming. Try and claim he didn’t.
He let it come although he saw the flooding
He saw what would come, for it was written clearly
He did nothing and now people have lost family they loved dearly
Maybe it was a part of his plan like Noah’s flood
Maybe the people of N.O. are N.O. good
Do they pollute humanity and this is his cleansing?
Will he pass the buck and only claim he did the good things?
Liberating his chosen people. Not all men are equal
In his eyes we’re all disposable.
Why does he care more about the life of a foetus
Than the poor adult people praying to Jesus
For someone to help? What kind of a man, this?
Then twist his story: expert propagandist
And he is supposed to be the one to watch over us
I saw more effort to help come from Hov and Puff
Fuck George Bush and fuck all the preachers
God does not care about black people
Won’t take blame, and His fans help Him weasel
But God clearly doesn’t care about people
Fuck your prayers. Fuck pushing your agenda on us.
You can practice your magic. We don’t give a fuck
But leave us to our own devices if you can’t help us
Looks like this hurricane shit is burning bush
About time we realised and opened our eyes
What we think is to the good is mostly lies
Kanye is a bright spark with guts to go around
But he’s the first to admit his contradictions abound
His comments on the president were needed and due
But Bush is just asking “What Would Jesus Do?”
Well we have our answer, don’t we?
What Would Jesus Do? Absolutely nothing
What did science do? Predicted the demise of the barriers
What did Bush do? Killed many more warriors
Swept science and sense under the rug where he liked them
Understand why I’m being impolite then?
November 8th, 2005 at at 12:42 pm
Another “Heresy”, this one by Pantera:
Here we are
In a world of corruption
Human nature is
Of violent Breed
Who cares if there;s no tomorrow
When I die for my future’s
Laid out for me
Can’t you see?
Rise above the lies
Morals on a backwards globe
A sin to you
For me it’s hope.
It’s my life and provision
Black or white
Some pay to pray
You question why they
Act this way
It’s their fucking decision
No more judgement day
Only tranquility
Peace signs, protest lines
Mean nothing to me
Honesty born in me
Heresy
I know what’s right or wrong
And my belief is stronger
Than your advice
People, they go to war
Because religion gives them
Reason to fight
Sacrifice, die for pride
A group that caters
No one’s fees
Or synthetic deities
Is where I belong
My stand is the human race
Without a label or a face
So they can lick my sack
No more judgement day
Only tranquility
Peace signs, protest lines
Mean nothing to me
Honesty born in me
Heresy
November 9th, 2005 at at 4:57 pm
Zappa has several but here’s an excerpt from one and also a verse from Pink Floyd:
Frank Zappa - Album: “You Are What You Is” (1981),
excerpts from song “Dumb All Over”.
Religious fanatics on the air every night.
Sayin’ the Bible tells the story, makes the details sound real gory
‘Bout what to do if the geeks over there…
don’t believe in the book we got over here
Religious fanatics can make it be all gone
(I mean it won’t blow up ‘N disappear.
It’ll just look ugly for a thousand years…)
You can’t run a country by a book of religion.
Not by a heap, or a lump, or a smidgeon
Of foolish rules, of ancient date,
designed to make you all feel great
While you fold, spindle and mutilate
those unbelievers from a neighboring state
The Good Book says: “It gotta be that way!”
But their book says:
“REVENGE THE CRUSADES… with whips ‘n chains ‘N hand grenades…”
It says in the book: “Burn ‘n destroy…
‘n repent… ‘n redeem… ‘n revenge… ‘n deploy… ‘n rumble thee forth!
To the land of the unbelieving scum on the other side
‘Cause they don’t go for what’s in the book ‘n that makes ‘em BAD.
So verily we must choppeth them up and stompeth them down!
Or rent a nice French bomb to poof them out of existence
While leaving their real estate just where we need it to use again
For temples in which to praise OUR GOD!!
(”Cause he can really take care of business!”)
And when his humble TV servant with humble white hair and humble glasses
And a nice brown suit and maybe a blond wife who takes phone calls…
Tells us our God says, “It’s okay to do this stuff!”
Then we gotta do it, ’cause if we don’t do it, we ain’t goin’ up to hebbin!
(Depending on which book you’re using at the time…Can’t use theirs…
it don’t work …it’s all lies…Gotta use mine…)
Hey, we can’t really be dumb if we’re just following God’s Orders!
Hey, let’s get serious… God knows what he’s doin’…
He wrote this book here and the book says:
“He made us all to be just like Him”,
So… If we’re dumb… Then God is Dumb…
(An’ maybe even a little ugly on the side)
Pink Floyd - Album “Animals” (1977), excerpts from song “Sheep”
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie, Through pastures green
He leadeth me the silent waters by
With bright knives, He releaseth my soul
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places
He converteth me to lamb cutlets
For lo he hath great power and great hunger
When cometh the day we lowly ones,
Through quiet reflection and great dedication,
Master the art of karate
Lo we shall rise up and then we’ll make the buggers eyes water.
November 14th, 2005 at at 4:30 am
A worthwhile challenge from PZ Myers
If you’ve read this week’s Carnival of the Godless you’ve already seen this, but I felt PZ Myers’ comments deserved to be highlighted. In preparing this edition of the CotG, PZ wanted to:
…balance the yin and yang of atheism:
January 22nd, 2008 at at 5:03 pm
credit repair sandusky ohio…
scour envision,arrives:…