Down Among the Bushes of Jerusalem - The Irish Rovers

Come listen gentle Christians, and you Jews and Gentiles too

And all denominations, a song I sing to you

It’s all about a young man, a rebel through and through

Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, down among the bushes of Jerusalem

Born of honest parents and below a shining star

The word went 'round the country and they came from near and far

The royal family worried he might undermine their power

Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

They slaughtered all the children, every one that they could find

Just that they be sure that they would kill the rebel child

But somehow he deceived them, all the soldiers fierce and wild

Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, down among the bushes of Jerusalem

He grew into a strapping lad, and helped around the home

But voices they kept calling, and he was inclined to roam

The losers and boozers, he would count among his own

Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

As far as I can see, you see, the Pharisee did say

You know your Bible fairly well, you’ll make a priest someday

But you’d better tow the line, me boy or there’ll be hell to pay

Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, down among the bushes of Jerusalem

He met the Mary Magdalen, a lovely girl was she

O look who’s comin' now, they said, the girl of no degree

I’d rather have her near to me, more than your hypocrisy

Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

He went into the churches, and he saw the shining gold

And people there were starvin' of the hunger and the cold

He talked about injustice, just be careful he was told

Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, down among the bushes of Jerusalem

Now if you are a rebel, and no Judas, he did say

Come burn the Roman empire down, we’ll change the flag today

It’s the human heart I’m changing, this young rebel he did say

Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

We’re taking him to Calvary, it’s easier you see

Than try and turn the other cheek, and love thine enemy

We’re loyal to our own crowd, to our scribes and pharisee

Down among the bushes of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, down among the bushes of Jerusalem