Janis Ian - New Christ Cardiac Hero lyrics

I'd like to say before
Singing this controversial song, take 32
That this isn't about anyone's
God in specific
On account, some of my best friends are gods
This is about New Christ Cardiac Hero
Who is the latest hero
And the latest leader of the young generation

Yesterday's preacher, today's bikini beacher
They've stolen your clerical robes and
Your bible's been thrown
Your virgin red crown of thorns
Has turned to ivory horns
And your corner throne
It has become a coroner's stone
Your crucifix you prayed on
Turned to jail-house bars
Silver chain you left out in the
Rain to glow with dust
And turned to seaweed tangled in your heart
Now how does it feel to pull out the
Nails And find you still can walk?

Oh, you can't feel it all from your
Self imposed rack on the wall
The tighter you drive the nails
The harder you fall
So come on down, come off it, sir
You're gonna get hurt

The holy water you bathe in
Mingles with the sewer
All your disciples have reclaimed their
Rifles and taken the cure
Your lectures of ways are only
Today's pool room jokes
Remaining scrawled on the walls of
Tenement halls and bathroom bowls
As jingle bells cry
"Pay us well or you'll go to hell!"
Freedom's chains bind your pain
And tie you well
But how could you know the gallows
You hold weighs you down? Now isn't it boss
You don't need a cross to get around

Oh, you can't feel it all from your
Self imposed rack on the wall
The tighter you drive the nails
The harder you'll fall
So come on down, come off it, sir
You're gonna get hurt

Oh your eyes that cried for mankind's
Pride are covered with shades
As the children of God trample
Unshod past your mindly grave
New Christ, hipster
Cardiac hero of 2000 years past your mind
He spit's at your feet crying, "We
Have no need of a god
Each of us is his own!"
Yesterday's preacher, today's bikini beacher
They've stolen your clerical robes and
Your bible's been thrown
Ah, you must have a cross
But they've taken your God and
Shot you filled with dead
So following new Christ
Pick up on a cycle instead

Oh, you can't feel it all from your
Self imposed rack on the wall
And the tighter you drive the nails
The harder you'll fall so come on down
Come off it sir before you get hurt