I don't need to be a global citizen
Because I'm blessed by nationality
I'm member of a growing populace
We enforce our popularity
There are things that seem to pull us under
And there are things that drag us down
But there's a power and a vital presence
That's lurking all around

We've got the American Jesus
See Him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
He helped build the president's estate

I feel sorry for the earth's population
'Cause so few live in the USA
At least the foreigners can copy our morality
They can visit but they cannot stay
Only precious few can garner the prosperity
It makes us walk with renewed confidence
We've got a place to go when we die
And the architect resides right here

We've got the American Jesus
Fostering their shame on faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day

He's the farmers barren fields
The force the army wields
The expression in the faces of the starving millions
The power of the man he's the fuel that drives the clan
He's the motive and conscience of the murderer
He's the preacher on TV, the false sincerity
The form letter that's written by the big computers
The nuclear bombs and the kids with no moms
And I'm fearful that He's inside me

We've got the American Jesus
See Him on the interstate
We've got the American Jesus
Exercising His authority

We've got the American Jesus
Fostering their shame on faith
We've got the American Jesus
Overwhelming millions every day, yeah

(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God, one nation, under God)
(One nation, under God, one nation, under God)


Lyrics submitted by oofus

American Jesus Lyrics as written by Greg Graffin Brett W. Gurewitz

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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American Jesus song meanings
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  • +4
    General Comment

    This song isnt about Jesus... it's about the American corruption of the hypothetical idea that is Jesus. Have you noticed that the part Jesus plays in world politics... especially here in the land of the free and home of the brave... is something of a boogeyman? Hate gays? Jesus tells me to. Against abortion? Jesus is, too. Racist? The Bible tells me so. Go to war? It's what god wants. Burn the Koran? Because it goes against the word of Jesus. That's why.

    We never see Jesus, but he must be there... right? Maybe he only appears through all these mudslinging agenda-pushing suited stiffs. We never see him. But he's around. He seems to be in every god-fearing and god-calling politician who says that gays cant get married because it's against the good word, or who say a woman has no right to choose because it's against the good book.

    Maybe he's just an idea. Maybe he's just a moral totem. Maybe he's just a convenient scapegoat. Maybe he's a bulletproof barrier that people in power with a secret agenda like to sling mud from behind. Or maybe he's not real. Maybe he's a figment of our collective imagination who can be summoned at will to promote whatever idea we'd like him to, if we skew it the right way. Satisfaction guaranteed.

    He seems to have found a way inside all of us, one way or another...

    Tig45on May 28, 2013   Link

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