George Scherer: Music
Rich Young Ruler
(George Scherer)
RICH YOUNG RULER
(A SHORT HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY)
Written by George Scherer
Copyright 1995, George Scherer
JESUS SAID TO THE RICH YOUNG RULER, "SELL ALL YOU OWN AND GIVE IT TO THE POOR
HE SAID, "A RICH MAN'S GOT ABOUT A SNOWBALL'S CHANCE IN HELL
OF EVER GETTIN' INTO HEAVEN OR GOIN' TO JAIL"
HE SAID, "THE MEEK WILL SURELY INHERIT THE EARTH,
AFTER THE RICH HAVE ROBBED IT OF ALL OF IT'S WORTH."
JESUS SAID TO THE PHARISEES, "PUT UP YOUR BOOK AND GET UP OFF OF YOUR KNEES
YOU PRAY IN THE STREET FOR THE PUBLIC REACTION
YOU GIVE TO THE POOR FOR THE TAX DEDUCTION
YOU'RE ALWAYS JUDGING YOUR BROTHER NEVER JUDGING YOURSELF
YOUR RELIGION'S LIKE A TROPHY ON YOUR BOOKSHELF"
HE WENT DOWN TO THE TEMPLE JUST BEFORE HE DIED,
HE FOUND BANKERS AND BROKERS OPERATING INSIDE
HE SAID, "YOU MAKE WHAT WAS HOLY INTO A DEN OF THIEVES"
YOU'RE FULL OF YOURSELVES AND DECEPTION AND GREED"
THEN HE TURNED OVER THEIR TABLES AND DROVE 'EM OUT IN THE STREET
IT'S NO COINCIDENCE THAT HE WAS DEAD IN LESS THAN A WEEK
THE POPE AND THE EMPEROR FINALLY FOUND COMMON GROUND
AND SOON THEY WERE THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN
THEY TURNED MEN INTO SAINTS AND THOUGHTS INTO SCHISMS
AND IN THE PROCESS THEY REINVENTED RELIGION
LOOKIN' BACK IT ALL SEEMS SO OBVIOUS AND SIMPLE
JUST A WAY TO GET THE THIEVES BACK INTO THE TEMPLE
JESUS SAID TO THE RICH YOUNG RULER, "SELL ALL YOU OWN AND GIVE IT TO THE POOR"