# Secular Songs That Mention Jesus **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 25, 2004, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981 "2004-10-25T02:32:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/61 "2004-10-26T05:44:40Z")
> [@](#): > > and wilco has “jesus don’t cry”, but jesus is sort of used in vain there, i guess. I forgot that one. I never thought of it as using his name in vain, I thought they were telling Jesus not to cry. I don’t know if that’s supposed to be sacreligious or what. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/62 "2004-10-26T05:57:24Z")
Here’s another one – “American Jesus” by Bad Religion. A criticism of religious hypocrisy, of those who believe that this country has some kind of special claim to Christ. ---
**Author:** ![Joools](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6de8d8/32.png) [@Joools](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joools)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/63 "2004-10-26T06:04:09Z")
“Stuart” by the Dead Milkmen contains one of my all time favorite lines: “Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick!” ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/64 "2004-10-26T16:01:12Z")
Then there’s Tori Amos: Muhammed my friend, it’s time to tell the world, we both know it was a girl, back in Bethlehem. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/65 "2004-10-26T16:05:49Z")
_Convoy_ mentioned, as part of the eponymous convoy, “…and eleven long-haired friends of Jesus in a chartreuse microbus” ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/66 "2004-10-26T16:35:53Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > John Prine wrote “Jesus: The Missing Years” and named the whole (Grammy-winning) album after it. It’s worth a listen. Slight nitpick. I don’t think “Jesus” is in the title of the album. On his website it’s listed as simply “The Missing Years.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/67 "2004-10-26T19:58:50Z")
Rush, _The Pass_ from Presto “Christ, what have you done?” There are quite a few songs by Rush that address the issue indirectly. For example: 2112, Free Will, Totem, Natural Science, Hemispheres (and Cygnus X-1 book I). ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine_and_Smiles)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/68 "2004-10-26T21:38:59Z")
The Toadies “Possum Kingdom” -“So help me, Jesus!” The Flaming Lips “Thank You Jack White For the Fiber Optic Jesus That You Gave Me.” -Contains that line, of course. And is that really the title? ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2004, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/69 "2004-10-26T21:48:30Z")
_Say It Aint So_ by **Weezer** “You clean up, found Jesus. Things are good, or so I hear.” ---
**Author:** ![angelicate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@angelicate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelicate)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/70 "2004-10-27T02:26:23Z")
Tori Amos: Me and a Gun "Me and Jesus, few years back, used to hang and he said “It’s your choice babe, just remember, I don’t think you’ll be back in three days time, so you choose well.” Pearl Jam: WMA “Jesus greets me, looks just like me.” The Eels: Novacaine for the Soul Life is white and I am black. Jesus and his lawyers are coming back." ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/71 "2004-10-27T02:32:59Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Yes. Martin is an accomplished visual artist and songwriter who released several albums in the early 70s. His best album is probably “Martin Mull and his Fabulous Furniture Live in Your Living Room,” with “Deuling Tubas,” “(How Could I Not Miss) A Girl Your Size,” “Ukelele Blues,” “2001 Polka,” and “Licks Off Of Records,” plus he had realeased singles like “Santa Doesn’t Cop Out on Dope.” Funny stuff. Not to forget “Do The Nothin” ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/72 "2004-10-27T03:20:50Z")
**Kris Kristofferson** - _Why Me Lord?_ > [@](#): > > Lord help me Jesus I’ve wasted it… > So help me Jesus, You know what I am > Now that I know that I’ve needed you… > So help me Jesus my soul’s in Your hands Although I don’t know if you’d call that ‘secular’ - It’s been pretty thoroughly adopted by various religious organizations. **Warren Zevon** , surprisingly, has used Jesus in his lyrics on numerous occasions, including the titles of two songs: _Jesus was a Cross Maker_, and _Jesus Mentioned_, which is a fine song: - I’m going down to Memphis Memphis, Tennessee I’m going down to Graceland Thinking about the King Remembering him sing About those heavenly mansions Jesus mentioned Can’t you just imagine Digging up the King Begging him to sing About those heavenly mansions Jesus mentioned He went walking on the water… He went walking on the water… He went walking on the water… With his pills. \* Then there’s **My Ride’s Here** : \*I was staying at the Marriott With Jesus and John Wayne I was waiting for a chariot They were waiting for a train The sky was full of carrion “I’ll take the mazuma” Said Jesus to Marion “That’s the 3:10 to Yuma My ride’s here…” \* From **Gorilla You’re a Desperado** : - They say Jesus will find you wherever you go But when He’ll come looking for you, they don’t know In the mean time, keep your profile low Gorilla, you’re a desperado \* ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/73 "2004-10-27T07:14:34Z")
[Jesus Hearted People](http://pesenki.ru/?lg=en&band=bjthomas&id=65), credited here to B.J. Thomas, also performed by the Atlanta Rhythm Section Mixed emotions about these “easy-going people” back home who are too “hard-set in their ways” for the rockers’ tastes. [Sit Down Young Stranger](http://www.mageenet.net/Lyrics/SDYS.txt), Gordon Lightfoot A man who appears to be a draft dodger fleeing to Lightfoot’s native Canada during the Vietnam War is seen as a Christ figure in this ballad. Direct mention of Jesus in this verse: > [@](#): > > The answer is not easy for souls are not reborn > To wear the crown of peace, you must wear the crown of thorns > If Jesus had a reason, I’m sure he would not tell > We treated him so badly, how could he wish us well ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/74 "2004-10-27T07:20:43Z")
> [@Sunshine and Smiles](#): > > The Flaming Lips “Thank You Jack White For the Fiber Optic Jesus That You Gave Me.” > -Contains that line, of course. And is that really the title? That’s the song that got me into them. I heard it on the radio and thought it was just another weird song that the station plays and didn’t like it, but then I heard it again. I looked them up, and was surprised at how well thought of they are. So I bought Yoshimi and went from there. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/75 "2004-10-27T12:13:00Z")
John Cougar Mellencamp’s’ “Small Town” says: “Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another boring romantic that’s me” ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/76 "2004-10-27T13:14:15Z")
Two good ones: _Happy In The Lord_ (Stackridge) and _The Second Sitting For The Last Supper_ (10CC). \*Another Guru in the money Another mantra in the mail An easy way from rags to riches God’s little acre’s up for sale The time is right for resurrection We think you’d better come down The church don’t ring with hallelujahs You haven’t been for so long So long, so long Two thousand years and he ain’t shown yet We kept his seat warm and the table set The second sitting for the Last Supper\* And while it’s doubtfully about Jesus, I’ve heard _Time Has Come Today_ (Chambers Bros.) played on a gospel station. ---
**Author:** ![Grendel\_s\_Father](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grendel\_s\_Father](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grendel_s_Father)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/77 "2004-10-27T14:46:40Z")
Nobody’s mentioned “Jesus Ranch” by Tenacious D? \*It was a big day on Jesus Ranch, Jesus Ranch. He was harvesting a big tomato, it was in the sand, alright. I’m taking a walk in the woods, and it’s nice outside. Smells of sh\*t, Liga Guinggligagiggagoogwayogo. I come upon a silver, striped mushroom and I fa la la la ly la ly. And I fly, fly.\* 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/78 "2004-10-27T22:20:48Z")
There’s the entirety of Kanye West’s [Jesus Walks](http://www.licc.org.uk/culture/node/view/172?PHPSESSID=755647f602108bbec02ff835a282c873) (that link is not to a spyware/popup laden lyric site, btw, so it’s safe to click) Also: **Round Here** by Counting Crows: _She parks her car outside my house And takes her clothes off Says she’s close to understanding Jesus_ And **All This Time** by Sting: _And all this time the river flowed Endlessly like a silent tear And all this time the river flowed Father, if Jesus exists, Then how come he never lived here_ ---
**Author:** ![bluecanary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bluecanary/32/3614_2.png) [@bluecanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluecanary)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/79 "2004-10-27T22:57:15Z")
**Joools** : how could you mention ‘Stuart’, but not mention _The Dead Milkmen_’s ‘I Dream Of Jesus’! _“Mommy she loved Jesus, but not like others did For she had a special bottle in which our saviour lived.”_ ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981/80 "2004-10-27T23:07:05Z")
Kris Kristofferson: _Jesus Was A Capricorn_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-songs-that-mention-jesus/270981.md?page=5)