"Bread And Circuses" by 10000 Maniacs

[ Billy Bragg and Natalie Merchant ]



Crowds gather round kneeling at the feet of common thieves 
Hungry for the word, but God would never speak through such
as these, 
such as these 
who offer healing hands and balms, and redemption, a few
would cross 
their palms 
They'll tell your troubles to the Lord for how ever much you
can afford 

Hands holding hands in the circle of the sinners and the
saints 
Memories that linger from the cradle, placing puzzles in the
grave, 
in the grave 
No mortal skin and bone can live on bread and circuses alone

The spirit needs, must drive the mystery of why you're alive


CHORUS: 

They look and their Book and they read 
But their cold hearts say, "Follow me" 

Dance in the dust in the frenzy of the desperately in need 
Led by the voices of the men who invoke ritual to hide their
greed, 
hide their greed 
Come every tongue, every eye across the crumbling earth and
cracking skies 
The gates of hell stand open wide, but the path of glory you
walk single 
file 

(Chorus) 

These men make a cage for the very souls that came here to
be free 

They turn off their lights for their tents they're fixing to
leave 

(Instrumental) 

Follow me 

(Chorus 2x) 

They'll close their Book and leave, but you'll remain still
in pain