Bread And Circuses
Natalie Merchant
Crowds gather round
kneeling at the feet of common thieves
hungry for the word but
God would never speak through such as these
such as these
Who offer healing hands and balms
and redemption
if you would cross their palms
they'll tell your troubles to the Lord
for how ever much you can afford
Hands holding hands in the circle
of the sinners and the saved
memories that linger from the cradle
placing puzzles in the grave
in the grave
No mortal skin and bone
can live on bread and circuses alone
the spirit needs must drive
the mystery of why we are alive
They look in their Book and they read
but their cold hearts say, "follow me"
Dance in the dust
in the frenzy of the desperately in need
led by the voices of the men
who invoke ritual to hide their greed
hide their greed
Come every tongue, every eye
across the crumbling earth and cracking sky
the gates of hell stand open wide but
the path of glory you walk single file
they look in their Book and they read
but their cold hearts say, "follow me"
These men make a cage
for the very souls that came here to be free
then they turn off their lights, fold their tents
they're fixing to leave
They look in their Book and they read
but their cold hearts say, "follow me"
They'll close their Book and leave
but you'll remain
still in pain
Share
More from Natalie Merchant
She Devil
Natalie Merchant
Photograph
Natalie Merchant
Space Oddity (David Bowie cover)
Natalie Merchant
Lullabye
Natalie Merchant
Go Down Moses
Natalie Merchant
Lulu
Natalie Merchant
Which side are you on ?
Natalie Merchant
When They Ring The Golden Bells
Natalie Merchant
Vain And Careless
Natalie Merchant
Topsyturvey-World
Natalie Merchant
Tigerlily
Natalie Merchant
The Walloping Window Blind
Natalie Merchant
The Sleepy Giant
Natalie Merchant
The Peppery Man
Natalie Merchant
The Land Of Nod
Natalie Merchant
Texas
Natalie Merchant
Sweet And A Lullaby
Natalie Merchant
Spring And Fall: To A Young Child
Natalie Merchant
Soldier, Soldier
Natalie Merchant
Seven Deadly Sins
Natalie Merchant