GOD
Donna Lynne Champlin Lyrics
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For if the children of Israel suppose to multiply
Why must any of the children die
So he asked the Lord and the Lord said
Man means nothing he means less to me
Than the lowliest cactus flower or the humblest yucca tree
He chases round this desert 'cause he thinks that's where I'll be
I recoil in horror from the foulness of thee
From the squalor and the filth and the misery
How we laugh up here in Heaven, prayers you offer me
That's why I love mankind
The Christians and the Jews were having a jamboree
The Buddhists and the Hindus joined on satellite TV
They picked their four greatest priests
And they began to speak
They said Lord the plague is on the world
Lord no man is free
The temples that we built to you have tumbled into the sea
Lord, if you won't take care of us
Won't you please please let us be
And the Lord said
And the Lord said
I burn down your cities, how blind you must be
I take from you, your children and you say how blessed are we
You all must be crazy to put your faith in me
That's why I love mankind, you really need me
That's why I love mankind
The lyrics of Donna Lynne Champlin's song "God's Song" is a sardonic take on humanity's belief in a higher power. The song starts with the biblical tale of Cain and Abel, and how Seth was left bewildered. He asked the Lord why any of his children had to die if the purpose was to multiply. However, the Lord responded with a cold and harsh reality that to him, man means nothing. The Lord goes on to say that man is no more important than the lowliest cactus flower or a humble yucca tree.
As the song progresses, Donna Lynne Champlin sings of how the Lord is repelled by humanity's foulsome behavior, misery, and squalor. She sarcastically mentions how God must be laughing at the prayers people offer to Him from Earth. As the song continues, she talks of the various religions of the world coming together to plead for mercy from God as the plague wreaks havoc upon them. The Lord responds by saying that humanity has put too much faith in Him and that they are crazy for doing so.
The song ends with the Lord saying that he takes away humanity's children and burns their cities, yet humans continue to put their faith in Him. The sarcastic tone of the song suggests a disillusionment with traditional religious beliefs and instead promotes an idea of self-reliance and humanity's ability to take control of their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Cain slew Abel, Seth knew not why
Cain killed Abel for a reason that Seth did not understand
For if the children of Israel suppose to multiply
Since Israel's children were supposed to grow in numbers,
Why must any of the children die
why must anyone die?
So he asked the Lord and the Lord said
So Seth asked God for an explanation and God replied,
Man means nothing he means less to me
That human beings mean little to God,
Than the lowliest cactus flower or the humblest yucca tree
As low as a cactus flower or a yucca tree,
He chases round this desert 'cause he thinks that's where I'll be
God roams in the desert as he thinks people will look for him there
That's why I love mankind
Despite all this, I still love humans,
I recoil in horror from the foulness of thee
God is repulsed by humanity's evil
From the squalor and the filth and the misery
from the dirt, rubbish, and suffering,
How we laugh up here in Heaven, prayers you offer me
God and the inhabitants of heaven laugh at humanity's prayers offered to God
The Christians and the Jews were having a jamboree
Christians and Jews were partying
The Buddhists and the Hindus joined on satellite TV
Buddhists and Hindus united on TV
They picked their four greatest priests
They chose their best priests
And they began to speak
and began to talk.
They said Lord the plague is on the world
They told God that a plague had hit the world,
Lord no man is free
No man is free
The temples that we built to you have tumbled into the sea
The temples built for God have crumbled into the sea
Lord, if you won't take care of us
Lord, if you cannot take care of us,
Won't you please please let us be
Please let us be alone
And the Lord said
God replied
I burn down your cities, how blind you must be
God set cities ablaze, showing how ignorant humans were
I take from you, your children and you say how blessed are we
God takes children away, and humans are still grateful to God
You all must be crazy to put your faith in me
You must be insane to worship me,
That's why I love mankind, you really need me
Despite humanity's follies, they still need God, which is why God loves them.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind