"Down Among The Bushes Of Jerusalem" lyrics - THE IRISH ROVERS

Come listen gentle Christians, and you Jews and Gentiles too
And all denominations, a song I sing to you
It's all about a young man, a rebel through and through
Down among the bushes of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, down among the bushes of Jerusalem

Born of honest parents and below a shining star
The word went 'round the country and they came from near and far
The royal family worried he might undermine their power
Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

They slaughtered all the children, every one that they could find
Just that they be sure that they would kill the rebel child
But somehow he deceived them, all the soldiers fierce and wild
Down among the bushes of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, down among the bushes of Jerusalem

He grew into a strapping lad, and helped around the home
But voices they kept calling, and he was inclined to roam
The losers and boozers, he would count among his own
Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

As far as I can see, you see, the Pharisee did say
You know your Bible fairly well, you'll make a priest someday
But you'd better tow the line, me boy or there'll be hell to pay
Down among the bushes of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, down among the bushes of Jerusalem

He met the Mary Magdalen, a lovely girl was she
O look who's comin' now, they said, the girl of no degree
I'd rather have her near to me, more than your hypocrisy
Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

He went into the churches, and he saw the shining gold
And people there were starvin' of the hunger and the cold
He talked about injustice, just be careful he was told
Down among the bushes of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, down among the bushes of Jerusalem

[Instrumental]

Now if you are a rebel, and no Judas, he did say
Come burn the Roman empire down, we'll change the flag today
It's the human heart I'm changing, this young rebel he did say
Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

We're taking him to Calvary, it's easier you see
Than try and turn the other cheek, and love thine enemy
We're loyal to our own crowd, to our scribes and pharisee
Down among the bushes of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, down among the bushes of Jerusalem

[Instrumental]