Dubbed "holy acid rock," St. James & The Apostles cite their power trio dynamic being "influenced more by The Doors sound than by the standard Cream archetype." They released their self-titled EP and the Live at Tritone album in 2011. Live at WRSU, My New Vimana/Cat's Paw, and their first full-length, Baphomet, were released in 2012. Their releases appear on the Ghost Imprint label.
http://stjamestheapostles.bandcamp.com/
Lazarus
St. James & The Apostles Lyrics
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He told his deputy
"Want you go out and bring me Lazarus"
Well, the high sheriff
Told his deputy
"I want you go out and bring me Lazarus
Bring him dead or alive"
"Bring him dead or alive"
Well the deputy he told the high sheriff
"I ain't gonna mess with Lazarus"
Well the deputy he told the high sheriff
Says "I ain't gonna mess with Lazarus
Well he's a dangerous man"
Lawd, lawd
"He's a dangerous man"
Well then the high sheriff, he found Lazarus
He was hidin' in the chill of a mountain
Well the high sheriff, found Lazarus
He was hidin' in the chill of the mountain
With his head hung down
Lawd, lawd
With his head hung down
Well then the high sheriff, he told Lazarus
He says "Lazarus, I come to arrest you"
Well the high sheriff, told Lazarus
Says "Lazarus I come to arrest you
And bring you dead or alive"
Lawd, lawd
"Bring you dead or alive"
Well then Lazarus, he told the high sheriff
Says "I never been arrested"
Well Lazarus, told the high sheriff
Says "I never been arrested
By no one man"
Lawd, lawd
"By no one man"
And then the high sheriff, he shot Lazarus
Well, he shot him with a mighty big number
Well the high sheriff, shot Lazarus
Well he shot him with a mighty big number
With a .45
Lawd, lawd
With a .45
Well then they take dead old Lazarus
Yes they laid him on the commissary gallery
Well they taken poor Lazarus
And the laid him on the commissary gallery
He said "my wounded side"
Lawd, lawd
"My wounded side"
The lyrics to "Lazarus" by St. James & The Apostles tell the story of a high sheriff who orders his deputy to bring him Lazarus, dead or alive. The deputy refuses, saying that Lazarus is a dangerous man. Eventually, the high sheriff finds Lazarus hiding in the mountains and comes to arrest him, but Lazarus denies ever being arrested by one man. The high sheriff shoots Lazarus with a .45, and they lay him on the commissary gallery, where he speaks his last words about his wounded side.
This song seems to be a retelling of the Lazarus of Bethany story from the Bible, where Jesus resurrects a man named Lazarus from the dead. However, in this version of the story, Lazarus is not brought back to life but is instead killed by the high sheriff. This interpretation of the story could be a commentary on police brutality or the misuse of power by those in authority. The repeated use of "lawd, lawd" throughout the song also adds a spiritual or religious element to the narrative.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the high sheriff
The chief law enforcement officer in the area
He told his deputy
He instructed his subordinate
"I want you go out and bring me Lazarus
"Capture Lazarus and bring him back to me
Bring him dead or alive"
The high sheriff wants Lazarus arrested regardless of his condition
Well the deputy he told the high sheriff
The subordinate informs his superior
Says "I ain't gonna mess with Lazarus
The deputy refuses to deal with Lazarus due to his dangerous reputation
Well he's a dangerous man"
Lazarus poses a serious threat to the safety of the deputy or anyone who approaches him
Well then the high sheriff, he found Lazarus
The chief officer locates Lazarus
He was hidin' in the chill of a mountain
Lazarus was concealed in the cold recesses of the mountain
With his head hung down
Lazarus was crestfallen and dejected
Well then the high sheriff, he told Lazarus
The chief officer informs Lazarus of his intention
Says "Lazarus, I come to arrest you
"Lazarus, you are under arrest
And bring you dead or alive"
The authorities will bring Lazarus back by any means necessary
Well Lazarus, told the high sheriff
Lazarus responds to the high sheriff
Says "I never been arrested
"I haven't been arrested before
By no one man"
Lazarus has likely been made a prisoner by a group or multiple people before
Well the high sheriff, shot Lazarus
The high sheriff fires his gun at Lazarus
Well he shot him with a mighty big number
The high sheriff used a very powerful gun
With a .45"
The high sheriff used a .45 caliber gun
Well they taken poor Lazarus
They carry poor Lazarus away
And the laid him on the commissary gallery
Lazarus is put on display for others to see
He said "my wounded side"
Lazarus likely suffered a fatal wound from the bullet
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind