Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis? Lyrics

Lyric discussion by lauriebreaker 

Cover art for Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis? lyrics by Gaslight Anthem, The

I love the reference to the leonard cohen song "Hallelujah" ["the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, the major lift"] /// Between the minor chord fall and the fourth and the fifth, It's a broken Hallelujah and a pain in my fist. ///

Gaslight anthem makes a ton of references but this one has always been my favorite. I love the song Hallelujah and I love how gaslight makes the understated reference, like you don't notice it the first time you listen to the song. Anyways an amazing song to say the least.

I like that part too but I don't understand the line "I wash my hands like the man with the blood on his teeth, over and over without relief." But I seem to vaguely recall reading something like that in the Bible (maybe in Proverbs? I don't remember) so if someone could explain that line or provide the Bible reference if it exists, I would greatly appreciate it.

@paperbackwriter1993 Zechariah 9:7 maybe?

"I will take the blood from their mouths, the forbidden food from between their teeth. Those who are left will belong to our God and become a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites."