The Rebel Jesus
View chords used in this chart
D
All the streets are filled with laughter and light
G A
And the music of the season,
D
And the merchants' windows are all bright
Dmaj7 Bm
With the faces of the children,
G D
And the families hurrying to their homes
G D
As the sky darkens and freezes
G D
Will be gathering around their hearths and tables
Bm A
Giving thanks for God's graces
G A D
And the birth of the rebel Jesus.
D
Well, they call him by The Prince of Peace
G A
And they call him by The Savior,
D
And they pray to him upon the seas
Dmaj7 Bm
And in every bold endeavor,
G D
And they fill his churches with their pride and gold
G D
As their faith in him increases,
G D
But they've turned the nature that I worship in
Bm A
From a temple to "a robbers' den,"
G A D
In the words of the rebel Jesus.
Instrumental
D
We guard our world with locks and guns
G A
And we guard our fine possessions,
D
And once a year when Christmas comes
Dmaj7 Bm
We give to our relations,
G D
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
G D
If the generosity should seize us,
G D
But if any one of us should interfere
Bm A
In the business of why they are poor,
G A D
They get the same as the rebel Jesus.
D
But pardon me if I have seemed
G A
To take the tone of judgment,
D
For I've no wish to come between
Dmaj7 Bm
This day and your enjoyment.
G D
In this life of hardship and of earthly toil
G D
There's a need for anything that frees us,
G D
So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer
Bm A
From a heathen and a pagan
G A D
On the side of the rebel Jesus.
Instrumental
How to play The Rebel Jesus
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.