Bread And Circuses (Remastered Album Version) - Billy Bragg/Natalie Merchant

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 a few 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 saints

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 you're 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 skies

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 freed

They turn off their lights for their tents

They're fixing to leave

"Follow me"

They look in their Book and they read

But their cold hearts say "Follow me"

They look in their Book and they read

But their cold hearts say "Follow me"

They'll close up their Books and leave

You remain still in pain