Rebel Jesus

performed by Martha Wainwright, Lily Lanken

From the Album The McGarrigle Christmas Hour

(thanks to the original video maker who used these images in another version of the same song recorded by Jackson Browne and the Cheiftans)

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
While the sky darkens and freezes
Will 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 his churches with their pride and gold
As their faith in him increases
But they've turned the nature that I worship in
From a temple to a robber's den
In the words of the rebel Jesus

Well 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 there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus

Now 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

written by Jackson Browne

Category:

News & Politics

[FrodosHat]

Thanks for taking my video work, and changing the music, instead of making your own video...but not a problem...

[rukeyser]

wow- this is the second unacknowledged rip of FrodosHat work for this song. The lease you could do is name & thank him!

[dobbsiancant]

merry christmas,mcgariggle clan.kate is in our thoughts.

[dobbsiancant]

@TamaTamaFoFama as my late grand dad used to say "if you don't have anything nice to say,shut the fuck up".seriously.

[TamaTamaFoFama]

You used frodohat's video, and Jackson Browne's song, and you did not give credit to either of them. Not cool.

Also, this version is the worst one I have ever heard. It is just horrible. Seriously.

[OldCrankyBroad]

I love this song (by the way, it was written by Jackson Browne, so you should note that fact since you have reproduced the lyrics), but the upbeat singing in this version just don't match the rawness of the lyrics. Still, I sincerely appreciate anyone who appreciates this song, so thanks for posting. :-)

[Kizabi]

I heard The McGarrigle sisters do this live on Peter Boshan's show on WBAI accompanied by only accoustical guitar.

That's a version I'd like to hear again.

Love the words. JB throws the lyrics into the hypocritical, sanctimonious, stupid faces of true believers.