The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
PRIEST ONE
Good Caiaphas, the council waits for you.
The Pharisees and priests are here for you.
CAIAPHAS
Ah gentlemen, you know why we are here.
We've not much time, and quite a problem here
MOB (outside)
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
ANNAS
Listen to that howling mob of blockheads in the street!
A trick or two with lepers, and the whole town's on its feet.
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Jesus Christ Superstar!
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Tell us that you're who they say you are.
PRIEST TWO
The man is in town right now to whip up some support.
PRIEST THREE
A rabble rousing mission that I think we must abort.
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Jesus Christ Superstar!
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
PRIEST TWO
Look Caiaphas, they're right outside our yard.
PRIEST THREE
Quick Caiaphas, go call the Roman guard.
CAIAPHAS
No, wait!
We need a more permanent solution to our problem.
ANNAS
What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth?
Miracle wonderman, hero of fools.
PRIEST THREE
No riots, no army, no fighting, no slogans.
CAIAPHAS
One thing I'll say for him -- Jesus is cool.
ANNAS
We dare not leave him to his own devices.
His half-witted fans will get out of control.
PRIESTS
But how can we stop him?
His glamour increases
By leaps every moment; he's top of the poll.
CAIAPHAS
I see bad things arising.
The crowd crown him king; which the Romans would ban.
I see blood and destruction,
Our elimination because of one man.
Blood and destruction because of one man.
ALL (inside)
Because, because, because of one man.
CAIAPHAS
Our elimination because of one man.
ALL (inside)
Because, because, because of one, 'cause of one, 'cause of one man.
PRIEST THREE
What then to do about this Jesus-mania?
ANNAS
How do we deal with a carpenter king?
PRIESTS
Where do we start with a man who is bigger
Than John was when John did his baptism thing?
CAIAPHAS
Fools, you have no perception!
The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high!
We must crush him completely,
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die.
ALL (inside)
Must die, must die, this Jesus must die.
CAIAPHAS
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
ALL (inside)
Must die, must die, this Jesus must, Jesus must, Jesus must die!
Good Caiaphas, the council waits for you.
The Pharisees and priests are here for you.
CAIAPHAS
Ah gentlemen, you know why we are here.
We've not much time, and quite a problem here
MOB (outside)
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
Hosanna! Superstar!
ANNAS
Listen to that howling mob of blockheads in the street!
A trick or two with lepers, and the whole town's on its feet.
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Jesus Christ Superstar!
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Tell us that you're who they say you are.
PRIEST TWO
The man is in town right now to whip up some support.
PRIEST THREE
A rabble rousing mission that I think we must abort.
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
MOB (outside)
Jesus Christ Superstar!
ALL (inside)
He is dangerous!
PRIEST TWO
Look Caiaphas, they're right outside our yard.
PRIEST THREE
Quick Caiaphas, go call the Roman guard.
CAIAPHAS
No, wait!
We need a more permanent solution to our problem.
ANNAS
What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth?
Miracle wonderman, hero of fools.
PRIEST THREE
No riots, no army, no fighting, no slogans.
CAIAPHAS
One thing I'll say for him -- Jesus is cool.
ANNAS
We dare not leave him to his own devices.
His half-witted fans will get out of control.
PRIESTS
But how can we stop him?
His glamour increases
By leaps every moment; he's top of the poll.
CAIAPHAS
I see bad things arising.
The crowd crown him king; which the Romans would ban.
I see blood and destruction,
Our elimination because of one man.
Blood and destruction because of one man.
ALL (inside)
Because, because, because of one man.
CAIAPHAS
Our elimination because of one man.
ALL (inside)
Because, because, because of one, 'cause of one, 'cause of one man.
PRIEST THREE
What then to do about this Jesus-mania?
ANNAS
How do we deal with a carpenter king?
PRIESTS
Where do we start with a man who is bigger
Than John was when John did his baptism thing?
CAIAPHAS
Fools, you have no perception!
The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high!
We must crush him completely,
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die.
ALL (inside)
Must die, must die, this Jesus must die.
CAIAPHAS
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
ALL (inside)
Must die, must die, this Jesus must, Jesus must, Jesus must die!
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
This Jesus Must Die Lyrics as written by Tim Rice Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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