Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy Birthday Jesus!

And Happy Independence Day to you. :)

Unfortunately I couldn't find a YouTube vid of this song for you, but know that it's just a guitar and a sweet, low male voice. It has such a melodic, quiet sound, and I really like the way the lyrics characterize Jesus* (the Mexican boy).

Jesus the Mexican Boy

Jesus the Mexican boy
Born in a truck on the fourth of July
Gave me a card with a lady naked on the back
Barefoot at night on the road
Fireworks blooming above in the sky
I never knew I was given the best one from the deck

He never wanted nothing I remember
Maybe a broken bottle if I had two
Hanging behind his holy even temper
Hiding the more unholy things I do

Jesus the Mexican boy
Gave me a ride on the back of his bike
Out to the fair though I welched on a $5 bet
Drunk on Calliope songs
We met a home-wrecking carnival girl
He's never asked for a favor or the money yet

Jesus the Mexican boy
Born in a truck on the 4th of July
I fell in love with his sister unrepentantly
Fearing he wouldn't approve
We made a lie that was feeble at best
Boarded a train bound for Vegas and married secretly

I never gave him nothing I remember
Maybe a broken bottle if I had to
Hanging behind his holy even temper
Hiding the more unholy things I do

Jesus the Mexican boy
Wearing a long desert trip on his tie
Lo and behold he was standing under the welcome sign**
Naked the Judas in me
Fell by the tracks but he lifted me high
Kissing my head like a brother and never asking why

- Iron & Wine


*Not Jesús, really. He sings it as "Jesus."
**This welcome sign, if you didn't catch it.

In Search of Giants is hosting the poetry round-up today.

2 comments:

  1. Hey! I had to stop back by and share the Shannon Hale love. EB was sort of disappointing, I thought. I've read Princess Academy & the Goose Girl, and loveloveloved them. I'm waiting for my copy of Book of Hours.

    Thanks for doing Poetry Friday, btw! I love meeting all the new people (er, people new to me, anyway)!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow. I bet that is a beyoot song to hear, I'll look for it.

    ReplyDelete