Right Here In America
Version 1 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar
Note that on A Moment In Time, the crowd noise following PeacePollutionRevolution has been left on the start, and part of the introduction of I Wish We'd All Been Ready on the end. See Street Level for these three songs as performed together On the Street Level Illegal Noise CD, the applause at the end is faded out early. On American Roots the applause is removed |
lyrics version 1
There are christians in Russia, they meet underground
In China they're killed when they're found
And in Cuba the christians live up in the hills
Because it’s not safe in the town
And to think it might happen right here in America
I know you think it’s not true
But it’s happening to christians right here in America
Wait till it happens to you
The christians in Berkeley are passing out bibles and food to the hungry
They're hoping to help out the people this way
But there are threats on the lives of their leaders and wives
They're not welcome to stay
And to think it might happen right here in America
Maybe you think it’s not true
If you think it’s not happening right here in America
Wait till it happens to you
There's an underground church and it’s following Jesus
And hoping to meet people's needs
But we don't have the time to build nice little churches
Besides we don't need to
We're holding our church in the streets
And we are passing out leaflets and underground pamphlets
From Buffalo to Monterey
And we're talking ‘bout Jesus and all of a sudden
We're arrested and taken away
So I ask you America, where do you stand
Your people are starving, they're beaten and they're raped
And they're dying in jail cells, so what are your plans
I'm not talking to congress or you politicians
Or panthers or muslims or Nixon or Birch
I'm addressing this song to the church
Cause I've been in your churches and sat in your pews
And heard sermons on just how much money you'll need for the year
And I've heard you make reference to Mexicans, Chinamen, niggers and Jews
And I gather you wish we would all disappear
And you call yourselves christians when really you're not
You're living your life as you please
If you're really a christian then put down yourself
And follow wherever God leads
I'm not talking religion, I'm talking ‘bout Jesus
Put all your plans on the shelf
Let's stop marching for peace and start marching for Jesus
And peace will take care of its self
Well I pray that we christians will get off our sofas
And stand up for what we believe
The time is too short and Christ is returning
We'd better get ready to leave
We who are christians should turn on the light
So the truth will shine bright as the day
Jesus will come like a thief in the night
And he'll steal all who love him away
There are christians in Russia, they meet underground
In China they're killed when they're found
And in Cuba the christians live up in the hills
Because it’s not safe in the town
And to think it might happen right here in America
I see you shaking your heads
And I hear you saying it just can't be true
But it's happened to me right here in America
Wait till it happens to you
In China they're killed when they're found
And in Cuba the christians live up in the hills
Because it’s not safe in the town
And to think it might happen right here in America
I know you think it’s not true
But it’s happening to christians right here in America
Wait till it happens to you
The christians in Berkeley are passing out bibles and food to the hungry
They're hoping to help out the people this way
But there are threats on the lives of their leaders and wives
They're not welcome to stay
And to think it might happen right here in America
Maybe you think it’s not true
If you think it’s not happening right here in America
Wait till it happens to you
There's an underground church and it’s following Jesus
And hoping to meet people's needs
But we don't have the time to build nice little churches
Besides we don't need to
We're holding our church in the streets
And we are passing out leaflets and underground pamphlets
From Buffalo to Monterey
And we're talking ‘bout Jesus and all of a sudden
We're arrested and taken away
So I ask you America, where do you stand
Your people are starving, they're beaten and they're raped
And they're dying in jail cells, so what are your plans
I'm not talking to congress or you politicians
Or panthers or muslims or Nixon or Birch
I'm addressing this song to the church
Cause I've been in your churches and sat in your pews
And heard sermons on just how much money you'll need for the year
And I've heard you make reference to Mexicans, Chinamen, niggers and Jews
And I gather you wish we would all disappear
And you call yourselves christians when really you're not
You're living your life as you please
If you're really a christian then put down yourself
And follow wherever God leads
I'm not talking religion, I'm talking ‘bout Jesus
Put all your plans on the shelf
Let's stop marching for peace and start marching for Jesus
And peace will take care of its self
Well I pray that we christians will get off our sofas
And stand up for what we believe
The time is too short and Christ is returning
We'd better get ready to leave
We who are christians should turn on the light
So the truth will shine bright as the day
Jesus will come like a thief in the night
And he'll steal all who love him away
There are christians in Russia, they meet underground
In China they're killed when they're found
And in Cuba the christians live up in the hills
Because it’s not safe in the town
And to think it might happen right here in America
I see you shaking your heads
And I hear you saying it just can't be true
But it's happened to me right here in America
Wait till it happens to you