An unusual religious song
Sift one cup folk, one cup R&B, one cup blues, one tablespoon jazz. Mix in spirit of Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, and Greg Brown. Add to taste: dry humor, faith against odds, bloody heartbreak. Bake 5o-some years in hard knocks oven. Add spark of Goddess. Serve with acoustic guitar and baritone vocals.
Story behind the song
It really happened just like that.
Lyrics
Bargain With God
God and I made a bargain.
And for a while it worked pretty well,
I promised not torment her disciples
And she promised not to burn me in hell.
But she went back on the deal, said that faith was for real,
Said it’s easy just like virgin birth,
She’s got nothing to sell,
She doesn’t fake very well,
And she showed me that hell is on earth.
She’s not taking excuses, she don’t care if it bruises,
Or whether I believe it or not.
But, if hell is on earth maybe heaven’s here too,
The deal’s on, it’s just not what I thought.
I still don’t know who God is,
Or why she won’t let me be.
But I can tell from blood on the sidewalk,
She’s got something in mind for me.
I don’t walk with Father, Son, or Holy Ghost,
I don’t believe in sin,
But whoever you are, you’ve got my attention now,
No need to hit me again.
My objections are useless, I’ve got no excuses,
I believe, I’m just not sure what.
A dream half remembered, resisted, surrendered,
What I knew all along but forgot.
You pretend she didn’t really mean it,
You think God’s too nice for such schemes.
But if she’s got your soul in her spotlight
She’s ruthless, she’ll go to extremes.
So don’t follow the leader, don’t live in the temple,
Don’t work at the altar for loot.
Don’t pray like your father, don’t kneel on your brother,
Don’t look to the virgins for truth.
Her message confuses, a trick that amuses her,
You decide to believe it or not.
Yes, heaven’s on earth, but hell is here too,
So be careful when you bargain with God.
Copyright 2003, Bruce McKinney
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