Martha Wainwright
Rebel Jesus
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
Will be gathering 'round their hearths and tables
Giving thanks for God's graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus
They call him by The prince of peace
And they call him by the saviour
And they pray to him upon the seas
And in every golden cavern
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold
And their faith in him increases
Yet, they've turned the nature that I worship in
From a temple to a robbers' 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 anyone of us should interfere in the business of why they are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus
Now, please, forgive me if I seem
To take the tone of judgement
For I've no reason to come between this day and your enjoyment
In this life on hardship filled with earthly toil
We have 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