Catholic Boy

I was born in a pool they made my mother stand

And I spat on that surgeon and his trembling hand

When I felt the light I was worse than bored

I stole the doctor's scalpel and I slit the cord

I was a catholic boy

Redeemed through pain

Not through joy

I was two months early they put me under glass

I screamed and cursed their children when the nurses passed

Was convicted of theft when I slipped from the womb

They led me straight from my mother to a cell in the tombs

I was a catholic boy

Redeemed through pain not through joy

They starved me for weeks they thought they'd teach me fear

I fed on cellmates' dreams it gave me fine ideas

When they cut me loose the time had served me well

I made allies in heaven I made comrades in hell

I was a catholic child

The blood ran red the blood ran wild

I make angels dance and drop to their knees

When I enter a church the feet of statues bleed

I understand the fate of all my enemies

Just like christ in the garden of gethsemane

I was a catholic boy

Redeemed through pain not through joy

I watched the sweetest psalm stolen by the choir

I dreamed of martyrs' bones hanging from a wire

I make a contribution I get absolution

I make a resolution to purify my soul

I was a catholic boy

Redeemed through pain not through joy

They can't touch me now

I got every sacrament behind me I got baptism

I got communion I got penance

I've got confirmation

'cause I'm a catholic child

The blood ran red

The blood ran wild!

Now I'm a catholic man

I put my tongue to the rail whenever I can