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The Rebel Jesus

by Asher Graieg-Morrison

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about

I was introduced to this song during the winter of 2016 by a friend who I did an advent concert with. The version she recommended was Jackson Browne's collaboration with The Cheiftans on their 'Bells of Dublin' Christmas album. This song has stayed with me due to the way Browne manages to walk the line of challenging his audience without disparaging the beauty of the Advent season. There is one stanza in particular, though, that has haunted me since first hearing it:

"And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if anyone of us should interfere
In the business of why there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus"

For me it really gets at the heart of what I pray for: systematic change. 'Things Remain Held Together' was me trying to do CBT and remember Col 1:17, namely that Jesus is holding all things together (and working within the broken systems of the world). This song reminds me that we should not only remember the poor and give where we can, but also get involved in ending the cycle of poverty at its roots.

I hope that this song is a blessing to you.

Thank you for listening - Asher

All money from all sales and streams of this song will be donated to the Red Cross, specifically their homelessness services (www.redcross.org.au/services/homelessness-services/).

lyrics

All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants' windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
Will be gathering around their hearths and tables
Giving thanks for God's graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus

And they call Him by the "Prince Of Peace"
And they call Him by "The Saviour"
And they pray to Him upon the seas
And in every bold endeavour
And they fill His churches with their pride and gold
As their faith in Him increases
But they've turned the nature that I worship in
From a temple to a robber's den
In the words of the rebel Jesus

We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if anyone of us should interfere
In the business of why there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus

But pardon me if I have seemed
To take the tone of judgement
For I've no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In a life of hardship and of earthly toil
There's a need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus

credits

released December 16, 2022
Written by Jackson Browne

Performed, arranged, recorded and produced by Asher Graieg-Morrison

Thanks to Jonno, Ian, Jess, Kallan and Jon for their helpful feedback while mixing.

Thank you to Karen for introducing this song to me.

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Asher Graieg-Morrison Sydney, Australia

Follower of Christ | Musician | Artist

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