Serve Yourself
John Lennon Lyrics

You say you found Jesus Christ;
You claim to have found Jesus Christ as your savior.

He's the only one.
You believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

You say you've found Buddha,
You state that you have discovered Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

Sittin' in the sun.
You imagine Buddha sitting outside and meditating in the sun.

You say you found Mohammed,
You assert that you have encountered Mohammed, the founder of Islam.

Facin' to the East.
You picture Mohammed bowing in prayer towards the east, which is the direction of Mecca.

You say you found Krishna,
You suggest that you have come across Krishna, a deity in Hinduism.

Dancin' in the streets.
You envision Krishna joyfully dancing in public settings.

Well there's somethin' missing in this God Almighty stew,
You feel that there is something lacking or inadequate about the mix of religions and beliefs.

And it's your mother, (your mother, don't forget your mother, lad.)
You emphasize the importance of recognizing and honoring one's own mother.

You got to serve yourself,
You assert that one must take responsibility for their own actions and life choices.

Ain't nobody gonna do it for you.
No one else can make decisions or take actions for you.

Well you may believe in devils, and you may believe in lords,
You acknowledge that people have a wide range of beliefs, from good to evil.

But if you don't go out and serve yourself, lad, ain't no room service here.
If you don't take action and responsibility for your own life, you can't expect to be pampered or waited on.

It's still the same old story,
You lament that history seems to repeat itself, with no major changes or progress.

A bloody Holy War,
You criticize the violence and suffering caused by religious conflicts.

A fight for love and glory.
You acknowledge that some people believe in fighting for their beliefs or country, even if the outcome is uncertain.

Ain't gonna study war no more.
You express a desire to end the cycle of war and violence.

We're gonna set you free,
You mock the idea that the powerful are liberators, when they often cause more harm than good.

We'll put you back in the Stone Age,
You warn that the consequences of war and violence could be catastrophic.

If you won't be like me, get it?
You are critical of people who don't share your beliefs or values.

You tell me you found Jesus Christ,
You challenge someone who claims to have found salvation through Jesus Christ.

Well that's great, and he's the only one.
You are unimpressed by someone's claim to have found Jesus Christ, as you believe he is the only way to salvation.

But Christ, you're gonna have to serve yourself, and that's all there is to it.
You reiterate the importance of personal responsibility and action.

So get right back here; it's in the bloody fridge. God, when I was a kid,
You recall the simple and humble food of your childhood, and criticize the modern trend of processed and convenience foods.

Didn't have stuff like this; TV-fuckin' dinners and all that crap.
You express disgust and distaste for mass-produced, low-quality food products.

You fuckin' kids are all the fuckin' same!
You express disdain for the younger generation, who you believe are spoiled and entitled.

Want a fuckin' car now
You criticize the materialistic and consumerist desires of younger people.

Lucky to have a pair of shoes!
You believe that some people take basic necessities for granted, and should be more grateful for what they have.

But there's something missing in this whole bloody stew.
You repeat your earlier sentiment that there is something lacking or inadequate in the mix of religions and beliefs.

And it's your mother; your poor, bloody, mother.
You emphasize the importance of recognizing and honoring one's own mother, even when she may have struggled or suffered in life.

She worked for you in the Back bedroom, full of piss, and shit, and fuckin' midwives.
You vividly describe the difficult and unpleasant circumstances under which your mother may have cared for you.

God, you can't Forget that awful moment, you know.
You reflect on a painful or traumatic experience from your past.

You should have been in the bloody War, lad, and you would know all about it.
You suggest that experiencing war or hardship would help someone appreciate the sacrifices made by others.

Well, I'll tell you something...)
You emphasize that you have something important to share or teach.

That's right, lad, you better get that straight into your fuckin' head.
You assert your authority or superiority over someone else.

You know that; who else is gonna do it for you? It ain't me I tell you that.
You reiterate the importance of personal responsibility and action, and emphasize that you are not going to do it for someone else.

But you're gonna have to serve yourself, and that's all there is to it.
You repeat your earlier sentiment that one must take responsibility for their own life choices and actions.

Well, you may believe in Jesus, and you may believe in Marx,
You emphasize that people have a wide range of beliefs, from religious to political.

And you may believe in Marks and Spencer's, and you may believe in bloody Woolworths,
You mock the idea that consumerism or brand loyalty is a substitute for deeper beliefs or values.

But there's something missing in this whole bloody stew.
You repeat yet again that there is something lacking or inadequate in the mix of beliefs and ideologies.

And it's your goddamn mother you dirty little git, now. Get in there and wash yer ears!
You conclude by humorously reminding someone to listen to and respect their own mother, while using colorful language and insults to make your point.