This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Dear Mrs. Blackhouse may God curse you on the ground
You take the blessed crucifix and turn it upside down
You drink the blood of Jesus so gentle, mild and meek
And even He will find it hard to turn the other cheek
Chorus:
Can you hear us Mrs. Blackhouse? Do you listen?
Are you gonna put a ban on people kissing?
Now we're gonna make a stand
We want freedom in the land
Can you hear us Mrs. Blackhouse? Can you hear?
Where were you two thousand years ago?
When the babe in swaddling clothes was in the snow?
And what know ye of customs, Mrs. Blackhouse, in the East?
And what did happen Judas just before the final feast
Chorus
So dear Mrs. Blackhouse, Mrs. Christian without soul
Were you there when the deeds were done and the sacrament was whole?
Who protected Mary Magdalene and raised the dead and bones?
And remember he who has no sin can cast the firstest stone
Chorus
Can you hear us Mrs. Blackhouse? Can you hear?
Can you hear us Mrs. Blackhouse? Can you hear?
Can you hear us Mrs. Blackhouse? Can you hear?
You take the blessed crucifix and turn it upside down
You drink the blood of Jesus so gentle, mild and meek
And even He will find it hard to turn the other cheek
Chorus:
Can you hear us Mrs. Blackhouse? Do you listen?
Are you gonna put a ban on people kissing?
Now we're gonna make a stand
We want freedom in the land
Can you hear us Mrs. Blackhouse? Can you hear?
Where were you two thousand years ago?
When the babe in swaddling clothes was in the snow?
And what know ye of customs, Mrs. Blackhouse, in the East?
And what did happen Judas just before the final feast
Chorus
So dear Mrs. Blackhouse, Mrs. Christian without soul
Were you there when the deeds were done and the sacrament was whole?
Who protected Mary Magdalene and raised the dead and bones?
And remember he who has no sin can cast the firstest stone
Chorus
Can you hear us Mrs. Blackhouse? Can you hear?
Can you hear us Mrs. Blackhouse? Can you hear?
Can you hear us Mrs. Blackhouse? Can you hear?
Lyrics submitted by nosilverbird
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!
More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.