The Outlaw
ALSO RELEASED ON: Heartland Junction, Live At The Elsinore, Underground Manouevers, Snapshots From The '77 World Tour, Wounded Lion, The Colossus Of Roads
Version 1 is a full studio recording
Note that on the DTS LP and Focus cassette releases of Planet, the stereo image is reversed |
Only Visiting This Planet
7" Single, MGM / Polydor 2006-143 [See Singles page] The Very Best Of Larry Norman Volume 1 Emancipator Frisbee Slinky |
Version 2 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar
|
Version 3 is the same as version 1, but with a count in and reversed stereo image
|
Version 4 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar, at the Flevo Totaal Festival in Holland in 1989
|
Version 5 is a full studio recording with a more country rock feel than the original
|
Only Visiting This Planet [CD releases, at least up to 2003]
|
Version 6 is a live recording, performed with a full band in Sweden, in 1993
|
Version 7 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar in Oregon, in 1979
|
Version 8 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar
|
Version 9 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar at the Creation West festival in 2000
|
Version 10 is a live recording, from a concert in Northern Ireland. Larry is backed by a steel strung acoustic guitar and keyboards
Note that on Pot O' Gold, the crowd noise at the end is shortened |
Version 11 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar during a concert in Beaverton, Portland, on October 18, 2003
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Version 12 is the same recording as version 11, but with the start cross faded with the applause of the preceding track, God Part III
|
Version 13 is a basic track of version 1, with guide vocals
|
lyrics version 1
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few old fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad
That kept him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his voice could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
That he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
That he talked of being born again
And raised people from the dead
Some say a politician
Who spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's time for us to leave
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few old fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad
That kept him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his voice could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
That he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
That he talked of being born again
And raised people from the dead
Some say a politician
Who spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's time for us to leave
lyrics version 2
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps him on the run
And some say he was a poet
'Cause he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to that man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon a water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
And he raised people from the dead
Some thought he mighta been a up and coming politician
'Cause he always talked of being free
And he was followed by the people
On the shores of Galilee
An' he spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's time for us to leave
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps him on the run
And some say he was a poet
'Cause he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to that man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon a water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
And he raised people from the dead
Some thought he mighta been a up and coming politician
'Cause he always talked of being free
And he was followed by the people
On the shores of Galilee
An' he spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's time for us to leave
lyrics version 3
One two, one two three [Spoken]
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few old fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad
That kept him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his voice could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
That he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
That he talked of being born again
And raised people from the dead
Some say a politician
Who spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's time for us to leave
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few old fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad
That kept him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his voice could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
That he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
That he talked of being born again
And raised people from the dead
Some say a politician
Who spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's time for us to leave
lyrics version 4
Wo bo bo ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Ba ba ba ba wa ah ba ba ba wa
Ba ba ba ba wa ba ba ba
O-wa wa wa wa wa
This is a song about a man who knew all about the blues [Spoken]
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Ah ah ha
Some say he was a sorcerer
Man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
Some say he was a radical
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he is
'Cause that's who I believe
I think we should be ready
When it's time for us to leave
And now I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
He's an unidentified flying object
We will see him in the air
Ba ba ba ba wa ah ba ba ba wa
Ba ba ba ba wa ba ba ba
O-wa wa wa wa wa
This is a song about a man who knew all about the blues [Spoken]
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Ah ah ha
Some say he was a sorcerer
Man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
Some say he was a radical
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he is
'Cause that's who I believe
I think we should be ready
When it's time for us to leave
And now I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
He's an unidentified flying object
We will see him in the air
lyrics version 5
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Yo-oh oh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh [x2]
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
And raised people from the dead
Hmm-mm-mm-hmm-mm
Some say he was a radical
Who spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should be ready
When it's time for us to leave
Oh yes I think we should get ready
Because it's almost time to leave
[Faint humming for most of the remainder of the song]
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Yo-oh oh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh [x2]
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
And raised people from the dead
Hmm-mm-mm-hmm-mm
Some say he was a radical
Who spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should be ready
When it's time for us to leave
Oh yes I think we should get ready
Because it's almost time to leave
[Faint humming for most of the remainder of the song]
lyrics version 6
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
Some say he was a radical
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Wo-oh yea-ah
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
That's who I believe he was
And that's who I believe
I think we should be ready
'Cause it's time for us to leave
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
Some say he was a radical
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Wo-oh yea-ah
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
That's who I believe he was
And that's who I believe
I think we should be ready
'Cause it's time for us to leave
lyrics version 7
Some say he was an outlaw
[Skip] the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
That he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He talked of being born again
And raised people from the dead
Some say a politician
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
But they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
Yes I think we should get ready 'cause it's time for us to leave
[Skip] the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
That he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He talked of being born again
And raised people from the dead
Some say a politician
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
But they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
Yes I think we should get ready 'cause it's time for us to leave
lyrics version 8
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps them on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
La la la da da da
Ah la la la la da da
Da da da
Some say he was a radical
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
They feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should be ready
When it's time for us to leave
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps them on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
La la la da da da
Ah la la la la da da
Da da da
Some say he was a radical
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
They feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should be ready
When it's time for us to leave
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
lyrics version 9
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps them on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
The people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
Some say he was a radical
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
They feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he is
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should be ready
When it's time for us to leave
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps them on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
The people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
Some say he was a radical
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
They feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he is
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should be ready
When it's time for us to leave
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
lyrics version 10
This is a song about best friend you'll ever have [Spoken]
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
Some say he was a radical
He spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
They feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he is
'Cause that's who I believe
I think we should get ready
When it's time for us to leave
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
Oh wo oh oh said he was an outlaw
They said he was an outlaw
They said he was an outlaw
They said he was an outlaw
An' they said he was an outlaw
They said he was an outlaw
They said he was an outlaw
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
Some say he was a radical
He spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
They feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he is
'Cause that's who I believe
I think we should get ready
When it's time for us to leave
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time to leave
Oh wo oh oh said he was an outlaw
They said he was an outlaw
They said he was an outlaw
They said he was an outlaw
An' they said he was an outlaw
They said he was an outlaw
They said he was an outlaw
lyrics versions 11 and 12
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
Mmm mm mm [Very quietly]
Mm h-mmm h-mmm
Some say he was a radical
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
And that's who I believe
I think we should be ready
When it's time for us to leave
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time a-to leave
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few young fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it might be something bad
That keeps him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his words could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
And he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
And he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
He spoke of being born again
He raised people from the dead
Mmm mm mm [Very quietly]
Mm h-mmm h-mmm
Some say he was a radical
He talked of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
And that's who I believe
I think we should be ready
When it's time for us to leave
And I think we should get ready
'Cause it's almost time a-to leave
lyrics version 13
One two three [Spoken]
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few old fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad
That kept him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his voice could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
That he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
That he talked of being born again
And raised people from the dead
Some say a politician
Who spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should
Once [spoken]
Get ready
'Cause it's time for us to leave
Some say he was an outlaw
That he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians
And a few old fishermen
No one knew just where he came from
Or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad
That kept him on the run
Some say he was a poet
That he'd stand upon the hill
And his voice could calm an angry crowd
Or make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables
That few could understand
But the people sat for hours
Just to listen to this man
Some say he was a sorcerer
A man of mystery
He could walk upon the water
He could make a blind man see
That he conjured wine at weddings
And did tricks with fish and bread
That he talked of being born again
And raised people from the dead
Some say a politician
Who spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses
On the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption
And he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power
So they nailed him to a tree
Some say he was the son of God
A man above all men
But he came to be a servant
And to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he was
'Cause that's who I believe
And I think we should
Once [spoken]
Get ready
'Cause it's time for us to leave
This song was written in answer to those who recognized Jesus as teacher, political dissident, healer, but not as the Christ. It was written in England, in the back seat of a car on the way to a concert, during a long argument with a crooked promoter who routinely stole money from artists: a strident conversation served as an unorthodox backdrop for such a moment of focused inspiration.