10000 Maniacs – Bread And Circuses

[ Billy Bragg and Natalie Merchant ]

Crowds gather round kneeling at the feet of common thieves

Hungry for the word, but God would never speak through such as these,

such as these

who offer healing hands and balms, and redemption, a few would cross

their palms

They’ll tell your troubles to the Lord for how ever much you can afford

Hands holding hands in the circle of the sinners and the saints

Memories that linger from the cradle, placing puzzles in the grave,

in the grave

No mortal skin and bone can live on bread and circuses alone

The spirit needs, must drive the mystery of why you’re alive

CHORUS:

They look and their Book and they read

But their cold hearts say, “Follow me”

Dance in the dust in the frenzy of the desperately in need

Led by the voices of the men who invoke ritual to hide their greed,

hide their greed

Come every tongue, every eye across the crumbling earth and cracking skies

The gates of hell stand open wide, but the path of glory you walk single

file

(Chorus)

These men make a cage for the very souls that came here to be free

They turn off their lights for their tents they’re fixing to leave

(Instrumental)

Follow me

(Chorus 2x)

They’ll close their Book and leave, but you’ll remain still in pain