Jesus Was a Crossmaker
The Hollies Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Sill)
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

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

Overall Meaning

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.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

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



All comments from YouTube:

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!

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