Holy Smoke

Iron Maiden

Believe in me, send no money
I died on the cross and that ain't funny
But my so called friends they're making me a joke
They missed out what I said like I never spoke
They choose what they want to hear, they don't tell a lie
They just leave out the truth as they're watching you die
They're saving your souls by taking your money
Flies around shit, bees around honey

Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
Making holy smoke

Jimmy Reptile and all his friends
Say they gonna be with you at the end
Burning records burning books
Holy soldiers Nazi looks
Crocodile smiles just wait a while
'Til the TV queen gets her make-up clean
I've lived in filth I've lived in sin
And I still smell cleaner than the shit you're in

Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
Holy smoke
Smells good

They ain't religious but they ain't no fools
When Noah built his Cadillac it was cool
Two by two they're still going down
And the satellite circus just left town
I think they're strange and when they're dead
They can have a Lincoln for their bed
Friend of the president trick of the tail
Now they ain't got a prayer a hundred years in jail

Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
Holy smoke


Lyrics submitted by numb

Holy Smoke Lyrics as written by Stephen Percy Harris Bruce Dickinson

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Holy Smoke song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

19 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +4
    General Comment
    Cpt. Yossarian you prick. Hope the jews kick muslim ass all over the fucking place. With that out of the way... I consider myself to be a (somewhat) religious person, and a conservative. I love Iron Maiden and I love this song. It's not like the only corrupt tv preachers are on the far right. I hate those "send money and you will be saved" evangelists. That just sickening. PS. Something that makes this song so much better, is that at a church I used to go to, the preacher would make the ushers repass the offering plates around if enough money didn't come in. A few months later he drove to church in a blue cadillac bought with offering money..
    Luke50001on July 24, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    This song I feel is about currpt religion and in this case chirstianity. Its about how christianity is just doing it for the money and dont actually have any faith and never actually listening to anything Jesus taught. "But my so called friends they're making me a joke They missed out what I said like I never spoke". And in the 3rd verse he mentions "When Noah built his cadillac it was cool" obviously its supposed to be an ark he built but since the christian faith is just now a money hungry religion Noah's gone for the classy things ie a cadillac.
    mushroom_personon June 21, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson wrote this back in 1989/90 after TV priests in America were exposed as corrupt and fraudulent. Like many other metal bands, TV ministers hated Maiden, because of their dark lyrical themes; this song is justified, humourous and a great way of hitting back at critics (Ozzy Osbourne did basically the same thing with "Miracle Man"). Iron maiden aren't satanists, they're a heavy metal band- and this was made to reinforce the point, gloat and to get people to take their heads out of their arses.
    Dreamer Deceiveron December 09, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Why have I never heard a song about corrupt Rabbi's or ant other religions leaders, only priests and christianity
    Burtoniteon June 25, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    few mistakes... Believe in me - send no money and They're religious but they ain't no fools
    claire16on May 04, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I agree with Burtonite.
    prax22aon September 15, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Specifically about televangelists; Swaggert, Tammy & Jim Baker et al. The scandals of the 80's. Not writing about Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims etc. in this song because are there any other types of televangelists other than Christian?
    ecstasy*of* goldon October 26, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Its about televangelists. Dream Deciever really hit the nail on the head.
    Chemical Alion April 22, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    also, about Jesus and the fact that ppl dont give a shit about him in truth
    sirdioon May 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    though this sond is obviously about the currption of religon it always makes me happy when I listen to it.
    dealer of deathon January 25, 2008   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!