Frequent releases during the mid-60s included many cover versions of popular songs, as well as a few group-penned hits and many songs written especially for them by professional songwriters.
The Hollies were formed in 1962 in Lancashire, England. By 1965,the group had been established as one of Britain's pre-eminent singles bands. As part of the British Invasion, they enjoyed huge chart success in many countries in the mid-Sixties, releasing a string of classic harmony-pop hits including Bus Stop I'm Alive, a UK No. 1, I Can't Let Go, Stop Stop Stop, Carrie Anne, On A Carousel, Look Through Any Window, and Jennifer Eccles.
In 1972, the hit Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress reached #2 in the US. Their last mega hit was He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, hitting #1 in the UK in 1988 (albeit 19 years after its first release).
The band are noted for their longevity, with their 2006 tour chalking up 45 years. Despite numerous changes in line-up, Tony Hicks & Bobby Elliott have been with the band almost from its inception.
Lead singer Allan Clarke left The Hollies in 1971, though he rejoined the band at later times. He was eventually replaced by Carl Wayne, ex lead singer of The Move, who passed away in 2004. Wayne was replaced by Peter Howarth. The 2007 line up is, Ian Parker on keyboards, Ray Stiles (Ex Mud, remember 'Tiger Feet') on bass guitar and Alan Coates on guitar and vocals by Steve Lauri.
Original bass player Eric Haydock died in January 2018.
The Hollies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2010.
Allan Clarke (vocals, 1962-71, 1973-99), Graham Nash (guitar, vocals, 1962-68, 1983), Eric Haydock (bass, 1962-66), Vick Farrell (guitar, 1962), Don Rathbone (drums, 1962-63), Tony Hicks (guitar, banjo, mandolin, electric sitar, vocals, 1963-present), Bobby Elliott (drums, percussion, 1963-present), Bernie Calvert (bass, 1966-81), Terry Sylvester (guitar, vocals, 1969-81), Mikael Rickfors (vocals, 1971-73), Denis Haines (bass, 1981-86), Alan Coates (guitar, 1981-2004), Ray Stiles (bass, vocals, 1986-present), Ian Parker (keyboards, vocals, 1991-present), Carl Wayne (vocals, 2000-04), Peter Howarth (vocals, acoustic guitar, 2004-present), Steve Lauri (guitar, vocals, 2004-present)
Jesus Was a Crossmaker
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet silver angels over the sea
please come down flying low for me
One time I trusted a stranger
'cause I heard his sweet song
And it was gently enticing me
though there was something wrong
Blinding me his song remains reminding me
he's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
chorus
He wages war with the devil
a pistol by his side
And though he chases him out my window and
won't give him a place to hide
He keeps his door open wide
Fighting him
he lights a lamp inviting him
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
chorus
I hear the thunder come rumbling
the light never looked so dim
I see the junction get nearer
and danger's in the wind
and either road's looking grim
Hiding me I flee desire's dividing me
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
Yeah but Jesus was a crossmaker
The lyrics of The Hollies’ song “Jesus Was a Crossmaker” appears to be a tribute to Jesus as a selfless individual who lived to fulfill his purpose. The music is a juxtaposition between the ideas of the biblical figure and someone driven by greed and selfish endeavors. The first verse depicts an individual asking divine forces to come down and save them, making an allusion to Jesus as a savior. The second verse discusses the idea of trust in a stranger and how it turned out to be a shallow trust. It suggests that people tend to be drawn by what they hear or see, disregarding the possible consequences. The line “Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker,” echoes within the chorus, building up the contrast between the two figures mentioned in the song.
The third verse of the song is more cryptic, with powerful metaphors and cues that can be read in multiple ways. It talks about the junction that is near, implying that the time to make a hard choice has arrived, and there are potential threats to either side. The “junction” possibly represents the crossroads in life, with both options looking dismal. It is a moment of hesitation or internal conflict that can lead to immense uncertainty. The line “He's a bandit and a heartbreaker, oh but Jesus was a crossmaker,” brings back the shifting tone of the song to a focus, juxtaposing the two personalities again.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet silver angels over the sea
please come down flying low for me
Asking for divine intervention to guide and protect from evil.
One time I trusted a stranger
'cause I heard his sweet song
And it was gently enticing me
though there was something wrong
When I turned he was gone
Being deceived by someone who seemed trustworthy, only to realize their true intentions.
Blinding me his song remains reminding me
he's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
Feeling trapped by the influence of a manipulative person, but still holding onto faith.
He wages war with the devil
a pistol by his side
And though he chases him out my window and
won't give him a place to hide
He keeps his door open wide
Fighting him
he lights a lamp inviting him
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
Struggling against temptation and darkness, but remaining steadfast in one's beliefs.
I hear the thunder come rumbling
the light never looked so dim
I see the junction get nearer
and danger's in the wind
and either road's looking grim
Feeling lost and uncertain, with no clear path forward.
Hiding me I flee desire's dividing me
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
Yeah but Jesus was a crossmaker
Being torn between conflicting desires and seeking solace in faith.
Contributed by Nora J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
n00se
Sweet silver angels over the sea
Please come down flying low for me
One time I trusted a stranger
'cause I heard his sweet song
And it was gently enticing me
Though there was something wrong
When I turned he was gone
[Chorus 2x:]
Blinding me his song remains reminding me
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
He wages war with the devil
A pistol by his side
And though he chases him out my window and
Won't give him a place to hide
He keeps his door open wide
Fighting him
He lights a lamp inviting him
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
[Chorus:]
Blinding me his song remains reminding me
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
I hear the thunder come rumbling
The light never looked so dim
I see the junction get nearer
And danger's in the wind
And either road's looking grim
Hiding me I feel desire's dividing me
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
Yeah but Jesus was a crossmaker
Kenny Lovejoy
This is such a magical and raw song. It's haunting in the best way and it is a very powerful cover :) let us not forget the angel who put these words down :) Rest her soul. Love this.
Joy Brickman
Listening in 2019, I love this song. Judee was simply brilliant, I like to think her light still shines in another universe.
Charles Nelson
The Hollies were great songwriters themselves. To choose this as a cover is a great tribute to Judee Sill.
n00se
Sweet silver angels over the sea
Please come down flying low for me
One time I trusted a stranger
'cause I heard his sweet song
And it was gently enticing me
Though there was something wrong
When I turned he was gone
[Chorus 2x:]
Blinding me his song remains reminding me
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
He wages war with the devil
A pistol by his side
And though he chases him out my window and
Won't give him a place to hide
He keeps his door open wide
Fighting him
He lights a lamp inviting him
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
[Chorus:]
Blinding me his song remains reminding me
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
I hear the thunder come rumbling
The light never looked so dim
I see the junction get nearer
And danger's in the wind
And either road's looking grim
Hiding me I feel desire's dividing me
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker
Yeah but Jesus was a crossmaker
Ben Mitchner
Haunting, gospel tinges in this sweet, mournful song by the great and sadly gone Judee Sill whose life was just crazy, but I think her personal struggles fed into her writing this. This Hollies version is my very favorite with its gospel/gentle country rock style and the stark piano and sad vocals really make it special. She came up with such an incredible way of vibing off Jesus being said to be a carpenter in the Bible. The Hollies are my favorite band ever formed. The 60s era is phenomenal, but they broke new ground with Terry Sylvester who nailed the solo vocal parts here. Rest in Peace Judee Sill and thank you Hollies!
Hmbldzy99
He's a bandit and a heartbreaker. This song changed my life. Thank you Judee, and thank you Hollies for this definitive version. Reminds me of the very best of Brian Wilson. <3
fenderjag114
Such a great song, and a very sympathetic rendition by the Hollies. I remember when this was (briefly) on the radio in the early 70s. It wasn't a hit, but I always stopped to listen whenever it was played.
Don Gossett
Hmbldzy99 does remind me a bit of BW
Roselyn West
Beautiful song & harmony of The Hollies. Terry Sylvester confirmed through Twitter that he sang lead in this song. Thank you for posting.
Jacqueline Davies
Beautiful vocals, lovely song, very underrated, love it!