Jesus in Modern Culture - Guthrie, Waits, Chocolate

One of the best things about religion is that you interpret however you like. Many artists and musicians have created their own takes on Jesus.

Woody Guthrie hijacked the old folk song about Jesse James and sang:

“Jesus Christ was a man who traveled through the land,
A carpenter true and brave,
He said to the rich give your money to the poor
And so they laid Jesus Christ in his grave.

This song was made up in New York City
Of rich man, preacher, and slave.
If Jesus was to preach what he preached in Galilee,
They would lay Jesus Christ in his grave.”

Then of course artists got brave and people like Ernie Marrs collated folk verses to make fun of consumer Christianity – “Plastic Jesus”

“I don’t care if it rains or freezes,
as long as I got my plastic Jesus
Sitting on the dashboard of my car..

Magnetic Mary you gotta go
Your magnet fucked my radio
and if I crash you’re gonna leave a scar”

But when it comes to a definitive tribute on American culture leave it to Tom Waits and his wife Kathleen Brennan.

“Well, i don’t go to church on sunday
Don’t get on my knees to pray
Don’t memorize the books of the bible
I got my own special way

I know jesus loves me
Maybe just a little bit more
I fall down on my knees every sunday
At zerelda lee’s candy store

Well, it’s got to be a chocolate jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate jesus
Keep me satisfied.”

(“Chocolate Jesus” from Mule Variations,1997)

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