Natalie Merchant Bread & Circuses Lyrics

crowds gather round
kneeling at the feet of common thieves
hungry for the word but
God would never speak through such as these
such as these

who offer healing hands and balms
and redemption if you would cross their palms
they'll tell your troubles to the Lord
for how ever much you can afford

hands holding hands in the circle
of the sinners and the saved
memories that linger from the cradle
placing puzzles in the grave
in the grave

no mortal skin and bone
can live on bread and circuses alone
the spirit needs must drive
the mystery of why we are alive

they look in their Book and they read
but their cold hearts say, "follow me"
dance in the dust in the frenzy of the desperately in need
led by the voices of the men
who invoke ritual to hide their greed
hide their greed

come every tongue, every eye
across the crumbling earth and cracking sky
the gates of hell stand open wide but
the path of glory you walk single file

they look in their Book and they read
but their cold hearts say, "follow me"

these men make a cage
for the very souls that came here to be free
then they turn off their lights, fold their tents
they're fixing to leave

they look in their Book and they read
but their cold hearts say, "follow me"

they'll close their Book and leave
but you'll remain
still in pain