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Cowboy Junkies — Simon Keeper
Album: One Soul Now
Avg rating:
6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 120









Released: 2004
Length: 5:44
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Jesus was a carpenter he died nailed to a wooden cross.
Irony oh irony upon me it is never lost.

Gather 'round now people, I'm here to tell a tale
About a man who walks among you, a man you each know well.
My name is Simon Keeper I had a wife and three grown kids,
A job in the towers cooking the books for the shills that grease the skids.

Irony oh irony, you are a bitter fruit to eat.
Stripped of all your beauty your flesh is none too sweet.

Now I ain't the most honest man that ever worked a skim.
I was caught with my hand in the cookie jar and brother that was it.
Fifty-four and a big black mark upon my resume,
I found selling off what you don't own might earn you the time of day.

Next it was a letter from my darling one,
"what's yours is mine, what's mine is mine",
Sealed with a hug and kiss.
One by one my children closed their lives to me.
Lesson learned on Daddy's knee,
"give no quarter to the weak".


Irony oh irony, you are the polar seed of truth,
You grow upon the open plain the faithful you uproot.

Kicked around 'bout a year living hand to mouth,
Then one day tryin' to bum a light I felt my will give out.
Sat right down on the corner, started prayin' a little too loud.
Left my troubles far behind
When I saw them emptying their pockets out.

Irony oh irony, you are a treacherous son of a bitch,
Pretending not to care about the heights you'll never reach.

Now I won't start in preaching 'bout reaping what you sow,
This is the story of a half-hearted man,
Half honest as they go.
But sit on down and rest a spell I've got another tale to tell.
About a lost young man in a far away land whose life is just too easy to sell.

Jesus was a carpenter he died nailed to a wooden cross.
Irony oh irony upon me it is never lost.
Comments (45)add comment
PSD and I land here.  This is a very good song...too bad it became controversial.
2005 was the last play.  BillG—this could use a spin every year or two.
jerseygirl wrote:
RCURRIER: GET AN INTERIOR LIFE.
Errr.... this comment has what to do with my post exactly? You did follow the link, didn't you? And you did get the joke didn't you? No, well let me explain it: What should be a spiritual message has been hijacked by a bunch of corporate cronies to enrich themselves at the expense of the same people the messenger was saying to help. That's irony. Or was it that it all struck a little too close to home? Oh never mind. I guess I'll just go get a tapeworm.
NiceGuy2005 wrote:
So anyway...may be can all get on with the one true universal truth taught by all great prophets from Jesus, to Buddha and Mohammad: Love they neighbor and boogie down! :D/
Ahmen :goodvibes:
trekhead wrote:
UPDATE: Forums didn't do any good. Lotsa hate there. Point I was GOING (italics) to make was that it seemed like a better idea to discuss these issues outside the comment pages. NEAR ZERO understanding. Out of 16 pages , last count, maybe 3 (three) posters had a sympathetic/open-minded/willing angle to discuss HOW faith can make its way ino music and that that CAN'T be a bad thing. Sure, express how the tune effects you/doesn't , but lets not automatically HATE an artist/tune if it mentions what God did/does for us. For those of you keeping track of my punctuation, instead of discussing the issue, the SLASH is my new bad habit. Never even heard from kevbo77 madtowner11 or jerseygirl And I notified them . One would think they were afraid of getting into a religious discussion bout un armed. What do I know? Oh, that's right, UNIVERSAL TRUTH does exist outside of our acceptance/denial of it. Seems logical that we should at least GRASP that. People don't want to believe, they ain't gonna believe. Lets make sure to stand on the outside of the circle of believers and ridicule those inside, however. Thanks again for hearing me out. Someone else want to start a forum? Feel free to contact me. Ain't freedom of expression great? Fire away.
So anyway...may be can all get on with the one true universal truth taught by all great prophets from Jesus, to Buddha and Mohammad: Love they neighbor and boogie down! :D/
trekhead wrote:
UPDATE: Forums didn't do any good. Lotsa hate there. Point I was GOING (italics) to make was that it seemed like a better idea to discuss these issues outside the comment pages. NEAR ZERO understanding. Out of 16 pages , last count, maybe 3 (three) posters had a sympathetic/open-minded/willing angle to discuss HOW faith can make its way ino music and that that CAN'T be a bad thing. Sure, express how the tune effects you/doesn't , but lets not automatically HATE an artist/tune if it mentions what God did/does for us. For those of you keeping track of my punctuation, instead of discussing the issue, the SLASH is my new bad habit. Never even heard from kevbo77 madtowner11 or jerseygirl And I notified them . One would think they were afraid of getting into a religious discussion bout un armed. What do I know? Oh, that's right, UNIVERSAL TRUTH does exist outside of our acceptance/denial of it. Seems logical that we should at least GRASP that. People don't want to believe, they ain't gonna believe. Lets make sure to stand on the outside of the circle of believers and ridicule those inside, however. Thanks again for hearing me out. Someone else want to start a forum? Feel free to contact me. Ain't freedom of expression great? Fire away.
oh cram it, would you? stop being a drama queen, already. that goes for the rest of you, too. this is stupid. no one is actually having a religious discussion or debate or whatever. it's all just 'YER DUMM!' 'NAH YER DUMM!' 'WUTEVA I DO WUT I WANT!' you are all over 15, right? :D
Xeric wrote:
I don't have to agree with the lyric's sentiments (it happens in this case that I do not) to still think it's a killer song sung by one of the compelling voices ever recorded. . . .
i suppose 'amen' is the right thing to say, here, no? :D
'you are bitter fruit to eat' i love that.
UPDATE: Forums didn't do any good. Lotsa hate there. Point I was GOING (italics) to make was that it seemed like a better idea to discuss these issues outside the comment pages. NEAR ZERO understanding. Out of 16 pages , last count, maybe 3 (three) posters had a sympathetic/open-minded/willing angle to discuss HOW faith can make its way ino music and that that CAN'T be a bad thing. Sure, express how the tune effects you/doesn't , but lets not automatically HATE an artist/tune if it mentions what God did/does for us. For those of you keeping track of my punctuation, instead of discussing the issue, the SLASH is my new bad habit. Never even heard from kevbo77 madtowner11 or jerseygirl And I notified them . One would think they were afraid of getting into a religious discussion bout un armed. What do I know? Oh, that's right, UNIVERSAL TRUTH does exist outside of our acceptance/denial of it. Seems logical that we should at least GRASP that. People don't want to believe, they ain't gonna believe. Lets make sure to stand on the outside of the circle of believers and ridicule those inside, however. Thanks again for hearing me out. Someone else want to start a forum? Feel free to contact me. Ain't freedom of expression great? Fire away.
Is it really ironic that Jesus was a carpenter and nailed to a wooden cross? I guess... but... just doesn't seem that ironic to me. Besides, didn't Alanis already do the whole irony thing?
I guess he told ME! Shall we carry this over to the forums, people? btw, the tune IS actually pretty cool. (opinion, not THE UNIVERSAL TRUTH)
Trustocity wrote:
You don't really... I mean... you don't REALLY think you can talk this way and be taken seriously as a sane alternative to what you call wacko? I mean, can you? SERIOUSLY? Really?? You're delusional. Set aside the validity of your opinions; I'm just talking about the words that are coming out of your mouth. You're just... I mean... wow, that's so dumb. Every Christian reading your rant is saying, "Y'know, sometimes I feel like I might be nuts, but at least I'm not as nuts as THIS ass, so maybe Christianity is for real." So on that front, thanks, but otherwise, wow.
Ah, I see the Christian Defense Shield has been activated: "You're calling me a wacko? Well clearly you're a wacko for calling me a wacko!" Sure 9/11 shook you up and made you wonder about extremists, because you saw it on TV. But you did not see the Crusades on TV, and TV is not showing you how Christians are holding relief over the heads tsunami victims, forcing them to convert before that relief is given to them. I'm not blaming you for these things, just know what company you keep. By the way, this song blows goats, regardless of its message.
Wow, so much anger over one little song. Having read the lyrics I don't really see what the fuss is all about. I don't think this song is as much about religion as people seem to be thinking. As to those who complain about Margot always sounding mopy I would have to disagree. There are numerous CJ songs where her voice is clearly joyous. Maybe if you listened to more of their albums you'd see what I mean.
RCURRIER: GET AN INTERIOR LIFE. Took money from the poor and gave it to the already wealthy. Went around criticizing people for their behavior and telling them to obey the authorities. Worked to prevent gay people from marrying. Made it clear that getting rich was the goal. What? You were asking about Supply Side Jesus, weren't you?
madtowner11 wrote:
From virtually ALL of your posts on other songs, TrekHead, I could tell you're an idiot. This nation could have been founded on the premise that the Earth is flat for all I care. Thankfully we've come a long way in 200 years and, due to another wonderful invention of our founding fathers, separation of church and state, not all of us worship invisible superheroes from outer space just because they promised us an eternal afterlife of paradise. Freedom of religion also means freedom FROM religion, so keep your obtuse dogma to yourself. My god can beat up your god, anyway. And you wanna know what else? The terrorists who flew the planes into those building on 9/11 were NO different than the religious wackos in this country who re-elected the worst president this country has ever seen: Those terrorists believed that by following their man-made set of rules in this life, they would be rewarded in the afterlife with all kinds of good stuff. That also describes an idiot like you. Forgive me for not being born again: I guess I got it right the FIRST time.
*smirk*
madtowner11 wrote:
And you wanna know what else? The terrorists who flew the planes into those building on 9/11 were NO different than the religious wackos in this country who re-elected the worst president this country has ever seen: Those terrorists believed that by following their man-made set of rules in this life, they would be rewarded in the afterlife with all kinds of good stuff.
You don't really... I mean... you don't REALLY think you can talk this way and be taken seriously as a sane alternative to what you call wacko? I mean, can you? SERIOUSLY? Really?? You're delusional. Set aside the validity of your opinions; I'm just talking about the words that are coming out of your mouth. You're just... I mean... wow, that's so dumb. Every Christian reading your rant is saying, "Y'know, sometimes I feel like I might be nuts, but at least I'm not as nuts as THIS ass, so maybe Christianity is for real." So on that front, thanks, but otherwise, wow.
Irony, oh irony, upon me...it's never lost.
madtowner11 wrote:
... not all of us worship invisible superheroes from outer space ...
hey, wait a minute ... wasn't superman from outer space? krypton's not exactly in la grange, il., as odd as the ymca is there ... and what about x-man morpho mutant dog people? ok, maybe they're not TECHNICALLY superheroes ...
I don't have to agree with the lyric's sentiments (it happens in this case that I do not) to still think it's a killer song sung by one of the compelling voices ever recorded. . . .
I think it's about the third time I heard this song (only on RP, of course), and I finally like it. Interesting lyrics.
humans,...so stupid, they worship the messenger instead of the message,..for christ said "God is among us",...."I and the father are one"...an astute observer would realize that Christ was speaking for all of us,...we are all the father, and the kindgom of God is among us for all eternity. There is no separation between us and God,...Jesus realized this, Buddha realized this, Bob Marley realized this,...so now we as a society have to suffer because the original followers of Jesus were not so bright, and didnt understand metaphor, and when you couple that with the hubris, and appetite for power of the catholic church(who actually had a papal vote on christs' divinity), mix it up in a bowl, add a touch of ignorance, fear,intolerance and what do you get? The united states of amnesia. Welcome, check your differing opinions at the door. Oh, and btw this country was not founded as a christian nation, if you dont believe me google "the treaty of tripoli".
I'm a Christian, I love Jesus, and I love the Cowboy Junkies, and I listen to Rush and Franken, because I'm conflicted and probably a bisexual to boot, who knows, the blood work hasn't come back from the lab. Having said that, the contraversy around this song has nothing to do with the fact that it's damn boring. Sounds like a torch song from a drag bar, amateur singer and all. Yes, we get it, you're smokey and mysterious and deep.
squarky wrote:
What was it that Jesus did for a living?
Took money from the poor and gave it to the already wealthy. Went around criticizing people for their behavior and telling them to obey the authorities. Worked to prevent gay people from marrying. Made it clear that getting rich was the goal. What? You were asking about Supply Side Jesus, weren't you?
RichardPrins wrote:
yep.
trekhead wrote:
IMPERIAL?? Hey, you are hereby FREE to leave anytime ya like! Good luck finding it THIS good! Never mind that 'GOD fearing' is what this nation was founded on... p.s. use your mute button.
From virtually ALL of your posts on other songs, TrekHead, I could tell you're an idiot. This nation could have been founded on the premise that the Earth is flat for all I care. Thankfully we've come a long way in 200 years and, due to another wonderful invention of our founding fathers, separation of church and state, not all of us worship invisible superheroes from outer space just because they promised us an eternal afterlife of paradise. Freedom of religion also means freedom FROM religion, so keep your obtuse dogma to yourself. My god can beat up your god, anyway. And you wanna know what else? The terrorists who flew the planes into those building on 9/11 were NO different than the religious wackos in this country who re-elected the worst president this country has ever seen: Those terrorists believed that by following their man-made set of rules in this life, they would be rewarded in the afterlife with all kinds of good stuff. That also describes an idiot like you. Forgive me for not being born again: I guess I got it right the FIRST time.
jahiel wrote:
Jesus this, Jesus that... As a subject of the Imperial Gawd-Feerin' Nation of America, I am hereby sick and tired of hearing about religion in any context. But I generally like Cowboy Junkies, so this gets a 4.
IMPERIAL?? Hey, you are hereby FREE to leave anytime ya like! Good luck finding it THIS good! Never mind that 'GOD fearing' is what this nation was founded on... p.s. use your mute button.
What a bunch of pretentious tripe. I'm being generous by giving this a 3.
Not a great first thing in the morning song! I put on RP in the am to get into a happier mood and this aint working!
Jesus this, Jesus that... As a subject of the Imperial Gawd-Feerin' Nation of America, I am hereby sick and tired of hearing about religion in any context. But I generally like Cowboy Junkies, so this gets a 4.
God, how I love that voice.
Sounds a lot like their cover of Highway Kind
squarky wrote:
What was it that Jesus did for a living?
trekhead wrote:
Carpenter. Joseph , too. Thus the analogy of nailing to a WOODEN cross, I think.
Actually they don't know what Jesus did for a living. Isn't mentioned. At all. The Bible only concentrates on his last year(s), and during that time, he was a radical wandering rabbi living on others' hospitality and making lots of enemies among the religious establishment. But it is often assumed that since Yeshua's father Yusef was a carpenter, he was too.
squarky wrote:
What was it that Jesus did for a living?
Carpenter. Joseph , too. Thus the analogy of nailing to a WOODEN cross, I think.
Please play a few other tunes off this CD! This is one of my least favorite tunes on it! s
What was it that Jesus did for a living?
Nice. A bit reminiscent of Michelle Shocked circa Short Sharp Shocked. A little smokier, maybe.
We have to listen to this song a whole *lot* lately - especially considering the low ratings it gets.. Bleh.
Gregorama wrote:
Mopin' Margo. Does she ever sing with Joy or Happiness? Her singing reminds me of the SNL character, Debbie Downer...
They're not really ABOUT joy or happiness.... Cowboy songs + Junkies, well = My dog OD'd on moonshine..... ya know, stuff.
<-o< <-o< <-o< <-o<
Does she ever sing with Joy or Happiness?
She has a too beautiful voice to do that :-)
oy. a little too dark and depressing.
Mopin' Margo. Does she ever sing with Joy or Happiness? Her singing reminds me of the SNL character, Debbie Downer...
Great! A new album \:D/
This song has been around for awhile but just now made it onto one of their albums. It's OK - not my favorite though. s steeler wrote:
Intriguing. Need to reflect further on this one before judging.
Intriguing. Need to reflect further on this one before judging.