Song Description

Song about homelessness and poverty in America; satirical critique of neo-cons and religious wrong.

Lyrics

Born along time ago
In a hole outside the inn
Strung up on the cross
you know, we didn't give a damn
Now he lives out in the city
On the lower east side
Sleeps in the park an' alley
Any place, he can hide

He's cold, his stomach's empty
And his teeth are rottin' out
His face is full'a sorrow
Ya know, his heart is full'a doubt
His clothes are old and torn
And his eyes are dull with pain
But he's not half as dirty
As your hearts of blind insane

Sunday mornin' you carry bibles
Fill your pews with well-fed souls
Dress your windows up in stain-glass
An' drop bread in your silver bowls
You sing "peace on earth"
But you support men of war
Vote for those who help the rich
And screw the sick and poor

Oh beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
Your poor and wretched millions
Have become an open shame
Beneath your gilded steeple
Where they beg for crusts of bread
Cry old women and helpless children
With no place to lay their head

Listen up America
Better listen up real good
Try an' understand the reason why
The nails went in the wood
Reach out a hand to help the poor
Reach out a hand to help the sick
Some father's lookin' on an' they say
He carries a mighty stick

Pretend to care about the unborn
Hold up your self-righteous fist
But guess who's comin' soon an'
Great God ! Man, is he pissed !

Born along time ago
In a hole outside the inn
Strung up on the cross
Ya know, we didn't give a damn
Now he lives out in the city
On the lower east side
Sleeps in the park and alley
Any place, he can hide

Ya know, Sodom learned the hard way
Ain't no place we can hide
Listen up America. . .
Better listen up America. . .
Umm ummmm, better listen up America. . .