Together, this song and these actors tell a story. In case the lyrics are not all clear, I’ve written them below. Listen to the words. Take the images in. Which words speak most directly to you? Which images move you? Remember, this is a song for you.
“If You Have Ears”
This is a song for the masses
Whether elephants or asses,
For the poor and wealthy too
This is a song for the pious,
Whether saints or men of science,
This is a song for you
First the rich man, who breaks the backs of fathers,
ruins all their sons and daughters,
for your money and your clout.
Justice has you by the collar;
You can’t buy time with dollars,
and yours is running out.
Next the pharisee, enslaving all the orphans,
and selling your religion
for the widow’s soul.
But all those orphans have a Father,
and one day that widow’s Lover
Will take back what you stole. There comes a fire hotter than, than can endure any man. His love is a flame His love is a flame.
Be weary of musicians,
Men in my position,
who tell you what to think.
But also fear suspicion
that tells you not to listen
When a stranger tries to speak.
He who has ears, let him hear.
She who has ears, let her hear.
If you have ears, listen:
It doesn’t matter if you’re smart,
if you feel you got a good heart
or if people like you well.
It doesn’t matter what your church says,
’cause if you live a life that’s loveless,
You might already be in hell.
It doesn’t matter if you’re broke here, just a joke here,
If you’re shameful, if you gambled and you lost
It doesn’t matter if you’re dirty or you’re hurting
Or you’re hiding and it’s coming at a cost
It doesn’t matter if you fail or you think you’re not good enough,
Cause you can’t lose what you can’t earn and you, you can’t earn love.
No, you can’t earn love.
He takes the blame
(I blamed Him too)
But don’t be ashamed
(It’s what He wanted to do)
His grace is like rain
(When it rains it pours)
Do you know His Name?
(He knows yours)
