We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Song for Jesse Helms

from Mr. Paul McMahon by Paul McMahon

/

lyrics

SONG FOR JESSE HELMS

Hey Jesse Helms I wrote you a song
In the Garden of Eden is where we went wrong
the tree ofknowledge of whatπs wrong and right
We divided ourselves when we took the first bite

Jesus Christ said, ≥Judgement is mine≤
When we judge one another we usurp the divine
Know yourself, to your own self be true
Thatπs what artists are trying to do

The search for self is a twisted road
Down many blind alleys you might have to go
Before you learn to listen to that small voice within
Not hearing that voice we all live in sin

Let he who is blameless cast the first stone
Have you no sins for which you wish to atone?
The Arena Party or the cigarette folks
Some penis-faced camel teaching young kids how to smoke

Two lovers kissing who happen to be gay
Is that an uglier picture than healthy lungs turning gray
Or a death squad dragging somebodyπs father away
Just how do we define obscenity anyway?

Yeah Robert Maplethorpeπs pictures can be hard to take
And and evening with Karen Finley is no piece of cake
But if you open up your heart I think it just might make
You remember a part of yourself you forsaked

We see very clearly from modern history
Authoritarians canπt deal with lifeπs great mystery
Whether Nazi or Communist or Ayatollah
If youπre looking for the truth theyπre gonna try to control you

But the saddest thing is when god is invoked
To whip up the fears that stifle and choke
Free expression, the true love of life
Which in this country is an inalienable right

So hey, Jesse Helms I wrote you a song
What makes you think you know right from wrong
Know yourself, to your own self be true
And donπt waste your time telling other people what to do

©1990 paul mcmahon

credits

from Mr. Paul McMahon, released July 9, 1990

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Paul McMahon image

Paul McMahon Woodstock, New York

From a musical family he explored folk, jug, blues and rock quitting music at 20 for art, returning as a punk rocker at 27. Then a long oddysey, solo and band in search of the real real deal; the songs becoming a diary of psychological and spiritual experience; shamanism and ordination as an Interfaith minister.
January 2020 tour of DC Ba Ph & Bk was his first at 69 organized by Goodflavor45 ... more

contact / help

Contact Paul McMahon

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

If you like Paul McMahon, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now