The best song written on your average, every day Christianity is Chocolate Jesus by Tom Waits. This is the best video I could find of it. Tom Waits is pretty weird, so his interpretation of it may be a little "non-palatable". His album version is a better, I think. But, I like what he does on Letterman, it's very street-corner-evangelist. Here's the song, the end has a short interview with Dave explaining the inspiration for the song. Also, I'm being serious, I think it's probably the best song on what Christianity is for most people. This line is so biting that it's perfect:
When the weather gets rough / And it's whiskey in the shade / It's best to wrap your savior / Up in cellophane
The whole song, though, is a wonderful word picture of the sacreligious way we tend to treat God. Tom Waits' word pictures are a good contrast to C.S. Lewis' images of Aslan.
artist: Tom Waits lyrics
title: Chocolate Jesus
album: Mule Variations
Don't go to church on Sunday
Don't get on my knees to pray
Don't memorize the books of the Bible
I got my own special way
But I know Jesus loves me
Maybe just a little bit more
I fall on my knees every Sunday
At Zerelda Lee's candy store
Well it's got to be a chocolate Jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate Jesus
Keep me satisfied
Well I don't want no Anna Zabba
Don't want no Almond Joy
There ain't nothing better
Suitable for this boy
Well it's the only thing
That can pick me up
Better than a cup of gold
See only a chocolate Jesus
Can satisfy my soul
(Solo)
When the weather gets rough
And it's whiskey in the shade
It's best to wrap your savior
Up in cellophane
He flows like the big muddy
But that's ok
Pour him over ice cream
For a nice parfait
Well it's got to be a chocolate Jesus
Good enough for me
Got to be a chocolate Jesus
Good enough for me
Well it's got to be a chocolate Jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate Jesus
Keep me satisfied
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