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Jesus is a White Man

from Some Folk by Pete Robinson

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about

Like the song says, “I don’t write songs of protest. What grounds do I have to complain?” Forty plus years ago the late great Mohammed Ali joked on the Michael Parkinson Show, “Momma - Why are all the angels white and the devil is black?” This was at a time when images of Jesus Christ were universally based on that painted by Warner Sallman, an artist who never ever left his Chicago home. It portrayed Jesus as a white European (with more than a passing resemblance to the swashbuckling Hollywood heroes of the nineteen twenties and thirties). Even as a young kid I thought the idea preposterous – artistic licence taken to the extreme. In the fall out from the murder of George Floyd in 2020 I was staggered to learn that there are still a great many people in the bible belt of the USA who still fervently believe it! The Black Lives Matter movement has taken the lid off deep seated bigotries in predominantly ‘white’ societies not just in America.

lyrics

I can’t sing songs of freedom. You see I’m already free
A product of a capitalist - white democracy
I live in modest comfort – you might say comfortably numb!
Because Jesus is a white man along with Peter, James and John
Peter, James and John

I don’t write songs of protest. What grounds do I have to complain?
Those protests on the TV scream but no-one’s freed - the song remains the same
While others fight for justice - my rights have already been won
Because Jesus is a white man along with Peter, James and John
Peter, James and John

Now I know that black lives matter. I know your human rights
We take a knee. We’re bourgeoisie but still I don’t sleep well at nights
I may be sitting pretty privileged, but I know when something’s wrong
Just ‘cos Jesus is a white man – I’ll no longer sing your song
Because Jesus is a white man – I’ll no longer tag along
Thank God Jesus stands for all men - come together and stand strong
together and stand… strong

credits

from Some Folk, released April 6, 2021

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The Mather Robinson Band image

The Mather Robinson Band Salford, UK

Dave Mather and Pete Robinson grew up together in the north of England in the nineteen sixties and have been writing and performing music individually and as a team ever since. From Opera to rock to pop and now back to their roots in folk music. Mather & Robinson entertain audiences in the north west of England but if you ask them - they will hummmm. ... more

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