King Herod
Orlando Pops Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've been getting quite a name all around the place.
Healing cripples, raising from the dead.
And now I understand you're God,
At least, that's what you've said.
So, you are the Christ, you're the great Jesus Christ.
Prove to me that you're divine; change my water into wine.
That's all you need do, then I'll know it's all true.
Jesus, you just won't believe the hit you've made around here.
You are all we talk about, the wonder of the year.
Oh what a pity if it's all a lie.
Still, I'm sure that you can rock the cynics if you tried.
So, you are the Christ, you're the great Jesus Christ.
Prove to me that you're no fool; walk across my swimming pool.
If you do that for me, then I'll let you go free.
Come on, King of the Jews.
I only ask what I'd ask any superstar.
What is it that you have got that puts you where you are.
I am waiting, yes I'm a captive fan.
I'm dying to be shown that you are not just any man.
So, if you are the Christ, yes the great Jesus Christ
Feed my household with this bread.
You can do it on your head.
Or has something gone wrong. Jesus, why do you take so long?
Oh come on, King of the Jews.
Hey! Aren't you scared of me Christ?
Mr. Wonderful Christ?
You're a joke. You're not the Lord.
You are nothing but a fraud.
Take him away.
He's got nothing to say!
Get out you King of the,
Get out King of the,
Oh get out you King of the Jews!
Get out of here!
Get out of here you,
Get out of my life!
The song "King Herod's Song" from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, performed by the Orlando Pops Orchestra, is a highly sarcastic and mocking portrayal of the biblical figure King Herod, who interrogated Jesus before his crucifixion. In this song, Herod addresses Jesus, expressing his admiration and skepticism for the miracles he has supposedly performed, but challenging him to prove his divinity by performing even more miracles. Herod commands Jesus to change water into wine or walk across his swimming pool, but as Jesus fails to meet his demands, Herod becomes more aggressive and dismissive, ultimately concluding that Jesus is just a fraud.
The song's lyrics are highly satirical and critical of the religious establishment and its treatment of Jesus. By portraying Herod as a shallow and egotistic figure obsessed with celebrity, the song sheds light on the corrupt aspects of power and authority, and how they can overshadow more significant truths. Moreover, the song's criticisms extend to Jesus himself, whose refusal to perform those miracles merely to satisfy Herod's demands is indicative of his prioritization of greater spiritual and moral values over the superficial admiration of his followers. Hence, the song is not only a critique of the religious establishment and its culture of celebrity but also an affirmation of Jesus as a moral exemplar.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus, I am overjoyed to meet you face to face.
I cannot believe I am standing in front of you, a celebrity like no other.
You've been getting quite a name all around the place.
Everybody is talking about you and what you can do.
Healing cripples, raising from the dead.
You have healed people who cannot walk and brought people back to life.
And now I understand you're God
At least, that's what you've said.
I am starting to believe that you are God, as you have claimed.
So, you are the Christ, you're the great Jesus Christ.
You are the Messiah, the king of the world.
Prove to me that you're divine; change my water into wine.
Show me that you are truly a god by performing a miracle right here in front of me.
That's all you need do, then I'll know it's all true.
If you do it, then I will be certain that what they say about you is true.
Come on, King of the Jews.
I am calling you the king of the Jews, so prove it to me.
Jesus, you just won't believe the hit you've made around here.
You have become so famous in this town, it is unbelievable.
You are all we talk about, the wonder of the year.
Everyone has been talking about you and your miracles, you are truly a wonder.
Oh what a pity if it's all a lie.
It would be such a shame if it turns out that all of this is a hoax or a lie.
Still, I'm sure that you can rock the cynics if you tried.
However, I am confident that you can convince the skeptics if you put in some effort.
Prove to me that you're no fool; walk across my swimming pool.
Make me believe that you are not just an ordinary person by performing another miracle, like walking across my swimming pool.
If you do that for me, then I'll let you go free.
If you do walk across my swimming pool, then I will acknowledge that you are a true god and let you go free.
I only ask what I'd ask any superstar.
I am just asking you a question that I would ask any other famous person.
What is it that you have got that puts you where you are.
What makes you so special and successful, what is the secret to your fame?
I am waiting, yes I'm a captive fan.
I am here waiting for you, as a fan who is held captive by your presence.
I'm dying to be shown that you are not just any man.
I am eagerly awaiting proof that you are not an ordinary human being.
Feed my household with this bread.
You can do it on your head.
Another way to prove your divine powers is to feed my household with this bread, and you can do it with absolute ease.
Or has something gone wrong. Jesus, why do you take so long?
Is there something wrong, why aren't you performing a miracle for me soon enough?
Hey! Aren't you scared of me Christ?
Mr. Wonderful Christ?
Why aren't you scared of me, the great 'Mr. Wonderful Christ'?
You're a joke. You're not the Lord.
You are nothing but a fraud.
I now realize that you are a phony, and not the Lord you claimed to be.
Take him away.
He's got nothing to say!
Get out you King of the,
Get out King of the,
Oh get out you King of the Jews!
I now want you out of my sight, as you have nothing important to say as a fake 'King of the Jews'.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind