I Am With Saint Jerome

Born anew each day into the light and dark Woken from the cradle, placed into the grave We are born both sinners and Saints No good pretending you is one or the other Because honestly, you-is-neither We are born both sinners and saints No good thinking you've turned a corner Hallelujah, hallelujah! Sisters and brothers, I am with Saint Jerome I've left the wilderness I've taken this scribe by the hand I've turned over blackjack-card-tables and come home I've transcribed the bible manifold in my mind I've turned over a-new-leaf in my miserable soul. With ink, blood and my marrowbone I've toiled and died in both ports alone staring into the dark Straight-jacketed fed to wolves I've loved you And worn both evil and good crowns Every soul is sinful, indulged and loose But sisters and brothers It takes a Saint a saint-like Saint Jerome born anew To do it day and night in the light or the dark It takes a Pentecostal spurred-rooster To crow on high, hallelujah, hallelujah! And spit in your eye and say he's never going to die Say by God's grace I've left the wilderness We are born both sinners and Saints But brothers and sisters But sisters and brothers I've been born again, I've been baptised again, amen. I am with Saint Jerome I've left the wilderness Do you silly people believe me? There are riches that can't deceive the sunshine, not even mine.