6._King Herod's Song
Webber 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!
In "King Herod's Song" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, King Herod is incredulous, dismissive, and mocking towards Jesus Christ, who has been gaining in popularity due to his supposed miracles such as healing cripples, raising the dead, etc. Herod believes that if Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, he should be able to perform these incredibly difficult feats. Herod challenges Jesus to prove himself by performing various miracles like changing his water into wine, walking on his swimming pool, and feeding his household with a single loaf of bread. He also asks Jesus what he has that makes him different from other famous people, implying that Jesus is just another celebrity. Despite King Herod's delusions of grandeur, his overconfidence and arrogance will lead to nothing but his own downfall. Herod is dismissive to the point of not taking Jesus seriously as he believes that he's merely putting on a show which is why he insists on the miracles that he thinks will prove Jesus's divinity.
The song is an entertaining and sarcastic number filled with irony and wordplay, with King Herod asking Jesus whether he's the "King of the Jews" and then mocking him for not proving it to him. It's a pivotal moment in the show because it highlights the conflict between the Roman and Jewish officials who are suspicious of Jesus's growing popularity and the resentful masses who are wary of the establishment's attempts to suppress their savior. The song also builds up to the final confrontation between Jesus Christ and the Roman authorities that ultimately leads to his crucifixion.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus, I am overjoyed to meet you face to face.
I'm glad I'm finally here to see you in person
You've been getting quite a name all around the place.
Your reputation precedes you
Healing cripples, raising from the dead.
You've performed incredible miracles
And now I understand you're God, At least, that's what you've said.
I've heard you claim to be the son of God
So, you are the Christ, you're the great Jesus Christ.
You are the messiah, the savior
Prove to me that you're divine; change my water into wine.
Show me a sign that proves that you're God
That's all you need do, then I'll know it's all true.
If you do that, I will believe
Come on, King of the Jews.
Come on, prove yourself
Jesus, you just won't believe the hit you've made around here.
You're incredibly popular
You are all we talk about, the wonder of the year.
Everyone's talking about you
Oh what a pity if it's all a lie.
It would be unfortunate if it's not true
Still, I'm sure that you can rock the cynics if you tried.
I think you could convince even the skeptics
Prove to me that you're no fool; walk across my swimming pool.
Show me another sign that proves you're not a fraud
If you do that for me, then I'll let you go free.
If you do that, I won't harm you
I only ask what I'd ask any superstar.
I'm just asking for what I'd ask of any celebrity
What is it that you have got that puts you where you are.
What makes you special?
I am waiting, yes I'm a captive fan.
I'm waiting eagerly to see what you'll do next
I'm dying to be shown that you are not just any man.
I want to believe that you're more than just a regular person
Feed my household with this bread.
Perform another miracle and feed my family
You can do it on your head.
You can do it easily
Or has something gone wrong. Jesus, why do you take so long?
Is something preventing you from doing another miracle?
Hey! Aren't you scared of me Christ?
Don't you fear me?
Mr. Wonderful Christ?
You're not so great
You're a joke. You're not the Lord.
You're not as great as you claim to be
You are nothing but a fraud.
You're just a fake
Take him away.
Get rid of him
He's got nothing to say!
He doesn't have a defense
Get out you King of the,
Leave now
Oh get out you King of the Jews!
Go away, you're not welcome here
Get out of here!
Leave this place
Get out of here you,
Go away
Get out of my life!
Leave me alone
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vishaln6124
one of the most random and wacky scenes in cinematic history…but brings much needed light relief to the drama that follows…
@420catboi
When my dad showed me this movie as a kid, I was so caught off guard by these scene lol
@alexs.7956
This scene is so out of Nowhere XD but kind of amazing ngl
@grasshopperfiddler
They are trying to show how Jesus was mocked by the cynics and critics. They laughed at him to offset their insecurity over being helplessly in a position of power
@lorddrayvon1426
And brought to you by the same songwriter as Aladdin, Octopussy, and the Lion King. Random.
@scottbrown5818
I cannot completely digest what you just said at this moment in time. Nonetheless, you struck me. That's not easy. I'm almost positive you are spot on. 😌
At least we seem to share something. That's rare! Really rare.
@tntkff9901
I think there may be some historical inaccuracies here, first off, the Charleston wasn't invented until 5 years after these events took place.
@zarond70
😂😂😂
@kilroy2517
Neither was color.
@GekkoKamen
These are the actual words King Herod said to Jesus, but centuries ago church authorities deemed them too catchy and cool, so the gospel was altered not to have them.