James God Only Knows

GOD ONLY KNOWS

First released 1990

God Only Knows is an attack on evangelism, in particular Jimmy Swaggart and religous cult leaders who had been exposed as fakes (this happened to the leader of the cult Tim was involved in during the eighties). "I understand that Christian martyrdom thing, because I had it force fed down me as a kid. Church every day. Before school. It was a very Christian school. Well, that's God Only Knows. All the references to Christianity come out in that. And a kind of inbred anger really."

The live performances of this song were marked by varied lyrical improvisation by Tim reflecting on the nature, the sex and the guidance of "God" and interpreting it differently dependent on the religion of the place they were playing or referring to current news events.

WHERE TO GET

Album Version : Gold Mother original issue LP (848 595-1) CAS (848 594-5) CD (848 595-2)

Album Version : Gold Mother re-release LP (846 189-1), CAS (846 189-4), CD (846 189-2)

Album Version : Gold Mother re-issue CD (548 785-2)

Album Version : The Gathering Sound boxset USB stick

Live Version : Come Home Live Video (083 092-3)

Live Version : The Gathering Sound boxset - Come Home Live DVD

Live Version - Getting Away With It Live CD (SANDD119), VHS (0927451603), DVD (0927451602)

GUITAR TABS

LYRICS

You may say I am cynical, but I'd say man is flawed

He has a vague memory of life before some fall

Behaving like a reptile, but talks of walking tall

If god is in his image, the almighty must be small

Swaggart has been caught with his trousers round his knees

After damning me and you to hell for eternity

Sex and power and money is the prayer of these priests

They bribe their way past heaven's gates and steal a set of keys

God only, God only, God only knows (repeat 3 times)

My guru has been sleeping with adepts and with sheep

While I was fucking celibate, self-righteous in belief

Yesterday he was god, now he is a creep

We fell upon each other starving for relief

God only, God only, God only knows (repeat 3 times)

I damn you all to hell

I speak in the name of god

I know him intimately

I speak in the name of that white haired old man in the clouds

Always a man

(Blessed are the sheep, for they shall inherit the grass)

Dispensing lightning justice from his fingertips

As self-righteous and vengeful as those who created him

(You were born sinful and then things get worse)

A cruel desert god with absolutely no sense of humour

(You must believe)

How do you feel old man?

How do you feel?

With these self-righteous fanatics speaking for you

(The desert can do some awful strange things to a man)

Is heaven full, oh lord, of these babbling preachers and God-fearing bigots

Well I know where I'd rather be

Away from this cacophony

Do you feel abused?

God only knows