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Joseph Arthur — Redemption's Son
Album: Redemption's Son
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 530









Released: 2002
Length: 4:29
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I don't know where we've been
Could you tell me where we are again?
And Jesus is my only friend
No one else knows who I am

I know I'll never make it on the cross
Spent my days looking for what my daddy lost
He was too proud to have a boss
Sold himself out then he couldn't afford the cost

No one knows how he felt
Hung himself in the county jail
There were those who said he would burn in hell
I don't think they knew him very well

Angel of love
Shine a light on us
I was born to be
Redemption's son
Angel of love
Shine a light on us
I was born to be
Redemption's son

Forgive us for what we've done, Lord
Forgive us for what we've done

I don't know were we are
Fearful eyes don't see very far
Drivin' in my daddy's car
Ashtray full of his cigars

Is it real what I see...
His ghost ridin' next to me?
'Till he's gone I won't be free
From the burden of his misery

I know I'll never make it on the cross
Spent my days looking for what my daddy lost
He was too proud to have a boss
Sold himself out then he couldn't afford the cost

All over the neighborhood
Mostly he was misunderstood
In his heart the bad beat the good
Used to be a time I'da killed him if I could

Angel of love
Shine a light on us
I was born to be
Redemption's son
Angel of love
Shine a light on us
I was born to be
Redemption's son

Forgive us for what we've done, Lord
Forgive us for what we've done, Lord
Forgive us for what we've done..........
Comments (71)add comment
 jp33442 wrote:

Wish he would join morrissey and go the fuck away

are you saying he's a voodoo child?
Posted 2 weeks ago by laserace    [ Reply ]
Wish he would join morrissey and go the fuck away
Posted 11 months ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 obispo wrote:

Real, live cancel culture.

I'm not cancelling him - nor would I, if it were in my gift.  I'm choosing to ignore the idiot.  You, or course, are entirely free to decide whatever you like. 
Posted 1 year ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 Edweirdo wrote:

Anti-vaxxer bellend = Automatic 1 and PSD.  No exceptions.


Real, live cancel culture.
Posted 1 year ago by obispo    [ Reply ]
 Edweirdo wrote:

Anti-vaxxer bellend = Automatic 1 and PSD.  No exceptions.



Harsh. There are legitimate concerns of people's trust in the vaccine. I have been vaccinated three times because I don't believe pharmaceutical companies and elected officials  are trying to kill me or compromise me in some fashion. But the distrust is rooted in an ugly history of human medical experimentation without consent by the federal gov't.  The federal gov't created this problem and allowed the benefit of COVID-19 vaccines to become a partisan matter up for debate. Don't judge too harshly.
Posted 1 year ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
 xray38 wrote:

Not sure about all his work, but this song sure is.

It's a song that features a character that turns to Christianity to try to heal a messed-up childhood. That certainly does not make it a "song of praise" or whatever people call that sort of thing these days. I doubt highly that you'll hear it on K-Love.
Posted 1 year ago by William    [ Reply ]
Anti-vaxxer bellend = Automatic 1 and PSD.  No exceptions.
Posted 2 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 Witness wrote:
I find it bizarre that Joseph is viewed as "Christian Rock" by so many people round here, a label I've never seen attached to him elsewhere. Using religious imagery as subject matter from time to time is a different thing entirely - do people really classify the likes of U2 or Neil Finn as proselytising Christian rockers?
 
Not sure about all his work, but this song sure is.
Posted 3 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
David Letterman loved joe Arthur and would have him on his show regularly. I love that the lovable left hate this guy for all the ignorant reasons. He’s great live and plays to small crowds in NYC, which is great for me.
Posted 4 years ago by Shaggy27    [ Reply ]
Groovy
Posted 4 years ago by GroovyPvG69    [ Reply ]
I don't know if this song is christian, but it's certainly not rock.
Posted 19 years ago by K    [ Reply ]
Very weak :(
Posted 19 years ago by sunny_day    [ Reply ]
TURN OFF THAT RECORD! Sucko-Barfo
Posted 19 years ago by japanmoran    [ Reply ]
Maybe I just don't "get it" or something. There doesn't seem to be any rhythm to this, and it just goes on and on. I'm not feeling anything redeeming here.
Posted 19 years ago by paulmall    [ Reply ]
this has got to be the most repulsive crap Ive ever heard.
Posted 19 years ago by painter    [ Reply ]
Witness wrote:
The album is pretty varied, with a few complex, layered songs like this as well as a few more simple (sometimes erring on the over-simple) bloke-plus-guitar staples. FWIW there are 4 or 5 songs on the album I llke more than this...
picked it up through amazon (wish i had seen your comment first though!) - and it is definitely one of my favorites now. a load of great songs on this album. i find it interesting too that this guy gets flack for having a few religious overtones to his work, while Ben Harper (another favorite of mine) probably has more blatantly religious references on all of his albums, and nobody thinks twice about it. kind of odd. anyway, i highly recommend this album. very solid all the way through. will have to pick up some of his earlier stuff at some point. also check out his website for a free download of his extremely good, intense, unreleased track "All of Our Hands" - CLICK HERE.
Posted 19 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
anybody out there have the album? just wondering if the rest of it is up to par with this track.
The album is pretty varied, with a few complex, layered songs like this as well as a few more simple (sometimes erring on the over-simple) bloke-plus-guitar staples. FWIW there are 4 or 5 songs on the album I llke more than this. Ignore all the nonsense on RP about whether or not this is "Christian Rock" - the lyrics are available here - (click here) and by my reckoning there are only 2 or 3 with religious themes, another 2 or 3 that include a bit of religious imagery, and about a dozen that contain no religious references or allusions whatsoever. If you do decide to pick up the album (and if your conscience will allow you to do so otherwise than through the RP sponsored Amazon link...) this store - (click here) will give you a free live show - try and get one with Mercedes on it, his best song IMHO, which despite being uploaded by various people about 16 times (as far as I can tell!) is somehow not on the RP playlist.
Posted 19 years ago by Witness    [ Reply ]
anybody out there have the album? just wondering if the rest of it is up to par with this track.
Posted 19 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
What's with the easy listening crap tonight?Something a little more rockin than this!Please!
Posted 19 years ago by Gaby    [ Reply ]
Can we get out of this malaise RP... no, don't do it! loving this lineup tonight, RP. long live the "mailaise": 6:53 pm - XTC - Making Plans for Nigel 6:49 pm - Bethany Yarrow - Black Is The Color 6:45 pm - David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World 6:40 pm - Joseph Arthur - Redemption's Son 6:33 pm - Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah 6:28 pm - Tim Buckley - Buzzin Fly 6:24 pm - Texas - So Called Friend ... tremendous!
Ahh, Bill. I know your overseas and everything...but... 10:33 pm - David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World 10:28 pm - Joseph Arthur - Redemption's Son 10:21 pm - Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah 10:16 pm - Tim Buckley - Buzzin Fly 10:12 pm - Texas - So Called Friend 10:07 pm - Red House Painters - Michigan 10:05 pm - Josh Ritter - You Don't Make It Easy Babe 10:01 pm - Donovan - please don't bend 9:56 pm - Counting Crows - Anna Begins 9:54 pm - Coldplay - Don't Panic your still a hero, tho! P.S. Sweet new site!
Posted 19 years ago by lotus_65    [ Reply ]
charlesr wrote:
Can we get out of this malaise RP...
no, don't do it! loving this lineup tonight, RP. long live the "mailaise": 6:53 pm - XTC - Making Plans for Nigel 6:49 pm - Bethany Yarrow - Black Is The Color 6:45 pm - David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World 6:40 pm - Joseph Arthur - Redemption's Son 6:33 pm - Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah 6:28 pm - Tim Buckley - Buzzin Fly 6:24 pm - Texas - So Called Friend 6:19 pm - Red House Painters - Michigan 6:17 pm - Josh Ritter - You Don't Make It Easy Babe 6:13 pm - Donovan - please don't bend 6:08 pm - Counting Crows - Anna Begins 6:06 pm - Coldplay - Don't Panic 6:03 pm - Ima Robot - Alive 5:58 pm - Big Head Todd and The Monsters - Love Transmission 5:54 pm - Pearl Jam - You Are tremendous!
Posted 19 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
I have this album. He's talented and there are some great songs but, quite frankly, every song has this christian theme. I'm sorry. For better or worse, the majority of times in my life that theme doesn't really fit with why I listen to music. That said, "Dear Lord" on this album is awesome. Love the harmonica and I could listen to that daily. Indeed, I burned it on several cds compilations for me, friends and family. Not a criticsm per se - more like a confession (ah - the christian gult pervades!)
Posted 20 years ago by KALINEVE    [ Reply ]
charlesr wrote:
Can we get out of this malaise RP...get some Led Zeppelin on, like 'A Whole Lotta Love'...I am dieing of wishy washiness here...
Yes, PLEASE! The Christian imagery is fine. It's the music that stinks!
Posted 20 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
Can we get out of this malaise RP...get some Led Zeppelin on, like 'A Whole Lotta Love'...I am dieing of wishy washiness here...
Posted 20 years ago by charlesr    [ Reply ]
This is NOT "Christian Rock". For a bunch of people who would probably claim to be beyond labels, you certainly like to apply one to someone who "dares" to use Christian imagery in his lyrics. Just leave it alone... it's a good song, not great and certainly not "Christian Rock".
Posted 20 years ago by red5_bc    [ Reply ]
I find it bizarre that Joseph is viewed as "Christian Rock" by so many people round here, a label I've never seen attached to him elsewhere. Using religious imagery as subject matter from time to time is a different thing entirely - do people really classify the likes of U2 or Neil Finn as proselytising Christian rockers?
Posted 20 years ago by Witness    [ Reply ]
rgrace wrote:
Yeesh. This kind of blatant volunteering of Christian sensibilities in song just makes me squirm.. (snip-snip-snip) .. his favorite corrupt Baptist church.
Um, this song shows no "blatant volunteering of Christian sensibilities" at all. It sounds like the sad, scared, confused song of a man for his messed-up father. porcupinemeat wrote:
No one knows how he felt Hung himself in the county jail There were those who said he would burn in hell I don't think they knew him very well ... In his heart the bad beat the good
Many Baptists, corrupt or otherwise, would probably believe that someone who hung themselves in jail would, as the song says, "burn in hell". And yet, this man feels that he is "Redemption's Son". I wonder why? It certainly is something to think about. You probably think Leonard Cohen's song's are blatant volunteerings of Christian sensibilities, too, just because he uses words like "Hallelujah" and "Jesus"... Fortunately, some artists challenge all of us to think. Unfortunately, some of us just aren't up to the challenge. Oh and by the way, intolerant stereotyping isn't appreciated in polite society. It makes you appear vulgar.
Posted 20 years ago by alanb    [ Reply ]
I've listened to this song many times, and still love the gentle tunefulness. The "forgive us" bit with the airy voices is particularly lovely, and the chord progression there reminds me strangely of the most excellent soundtracks from the Conan movies. Anybody else recognize it, or am I hearing things?
Posted 20 years ago by Joyfulchristine    [ Reply ]
Uriah wrote:
This song has a great vibe, great mood, and the lyrics are very good. The fact that he believes in god and is praying to god for forgiveness and love in the song has absolutely no bearing on the quality. While most christian rock blows damp donkey dick, I can really feel this song, and feel that it isn't the overproduced drivel usually crapped out to be sung with swaying crowds in oxford shirts. I'd try to be a christian rocker, but I'm not christian and I'd feel bad about popping cherries of girls that thought it was immoral to have premarital sex. I like my girls hungering for it and willing to ask for it.
Dude, Gross.
Posted 20 years ago by DavidCarrico    [ Reply ]
Flying_Donut wrote:
Dreadful, hideous, derivative crap. Just awful. The kind of stuff I hear on the "light rock" station, not here. Heinous.
Just the kind of comment I expect from a person who rated "AC/DC - Highway to Hell" a 9. A friggin 9?
Posted 20 years ago by nealcs    [ Reply ]
This song has a great vibe, great mood, and the lyrics are very good. The fact that he believes in god and is praying to god for forgiveness and love in the song has absolutely no bearing on the quality. While most christian rock blows damp donkey dick, I can really feel this song, and feel that it isn't the overproduced drivel usually crapped out to be sung with swaying crowds in oxford shirts. I'd try to be a christian rocker, but I'm not christian and I'd feel bad about popping cherries of girls that thought it was immoral to have premarital sex. I like my girls hungering for it and willing to ask for it.
Posted 20 years ago by Uriah    [ Reply ]
Great song! I've been a fan of Arthur's since hearing a review for Come to Where I'm From on NPR. One of the very few times I've bought a CD just from hearing a review. :D
Posted 20 years ago by JCEntMan    [ Reply ]
Monkeysdad wrote:
I't s getting to the point that when I hear the first notes of this song, I just sit down and enjoy it. Wonderful tune.
I enjoy hearing this one a lot too... I'm starting to really like Joseph Arthur.. Honey and the Moon is great too!
Posted 20 years ago by mrmonkey    [ Reply ]
Dreadful, hideous, derivative crap. Just awful. The kind of stuff I hear on the "light rock" station, not here. Heinous.
Posted 20 years ago by Flying_Donut    [ Reply ]
I't s getting to the point that when I hear the first notes of this song, I just sit down and enjoy it. Wonderful tune.
Posted 20 years ago by Monkeysdad    [ Reply ]
catmaven wrote:
It is a great public service that Porcupinemeat has done by furnishing lyrics! That is the main frustration to me of listening to RP. WHAT about FURNISHING ALL lyrics for each song as a matter of course, Bill? Could it be done? :D
RP can't publish lyrics or even a link to a site that does. Legal stuff... copyright... blah blah It's been discussed on the forums: https://www.radioparadise.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=251
Posted 20 years ago by cdanthony    [ Reply ]
It is a great public service that Porcupinemeat has done by furnishing lyrics! That is the main frustration to me of listening to RP. WHAT about FURNISHING ALL lyrics for each song as a matter of course, Bill? Could it be done? :D
Posted 20 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
This song doesn't grab me as much as some his other tracks. And as far as his Christian views, that doesn't bother me much. Hey, if I were a songwriter & wanted to sing about my agnostic (leaning towards athiestic) views, I wouldn't want anyone to tell me I couldn't, although I'm sure MANY would. My best friend for many many years was a born again Christian, and although we NEVER came to believe the other's point of view, we eventually learned to respect that the other had a right to that point of view. You don't have to believe what he is singing is the gospel truth (pardon the pun) to enjoy the melody. As someone pointed out in another thread (or this one?), if it were Peter Gabriel, no one would say anything. And honestly, his Christian sensibilities didn't hit me over the head, I didn't really notice until I read the posted song comments.
Posted 20 years ago by marci28    [ Reply ]
An experiment: let\'s play \"Jesus\" from the third Velvet Underground album and see how many listeners accuse Lou Reed of being Trent Lott.
Posted 20 years ago by Vicey    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by gstark33: The problem with blatantly religious music is that it takes an act of will for non-believers to hear past the god part. This guy, like Cockburn, is good enough so it is worth the effort - so far.
Really? On a purely musical level... I think his voice sounds annoyingly like Anthony Kiedis's (never much cared for his) and I'm not crazy about the wimpy harmonies either. That's just from this one song, though. Maybe I'd like others.
Posted 20 years ago by phiagurl    [ Reply ]
AGAIN?????
Posted 20 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Yeesh. This kind of blatant volunteering of Christian sensibilities in song just makes me squirm. Hey, guess I\'m just one of THOSE people, huh? You know. Those people who aren\'t Born Again. Who won\'t see the Rapture. Who aren\'t Chosen. Get off it. Hey, since I live in Berkeley, guess that means I\'m automatically damned anyway (even though it was where I could afford a house in the Bay Area). Fine. At least I know how to think independently. The funny thing is, I have several Christian friends whom I love, who are not proselytizers like Mr. Arthur. This is not the same as being value-neutral. Maybe Mr. Arthur should go work for the Bush Administration - he\'d be right at home there. He could help take money from Head Start and hand it out to his favorite corrupt Baptist church.
Posted 20 years ago by rgrace    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Joyfulchristine: I guess I'll put in my two cents about the lyrics, too. I've been trying to find a link to them on the web and, to date, haven't been successful. However, from what I hear, it doesn't sound like he's espousing any particular religious view (nothing that could be called blatant), though he makes reference to Jesus, Judas and redemption. I'd be eager to see the lyrics if anyone can post a link, and I'd be willing to revise my opinion if I'm incorrect, but like I said, that's my two cents, from a Christian point of view.
I don't know where we've been Could you tell me where we are again? And Jesus is my only friend No one else knows who I am I know i'll never make it on the cross Spent my days looking for what my daddy lost He was too proud to have a boss Sold himself out then he couldn't afford the cost No one knows how he felt Hung himself in the country jail There were those who said he would burn in hell I don't think they knew him very well Angel of love Shine a light on us I was born to be Redemption's son Forgive us for what we've done, Lord I don't know were we are Fearful eyes don't see very far Drivin' in my daddy's car Ashtray full of his cigars Is it real what I see? His ghost is ridin' next to me 'Till he's gone I won't be free >From the burden of his misery I know i'll never make it on the cross Spent my days looking for what my daddy lost He was too proud to have a boss Sold himself out then he couldn't afford the cost All over the neighbourhood Mostly he was misunderstood In his heart the bad beat the good Used to be a time I'd come in if I could Angel of love Send a light on us I was born to be Redemption's son Forgive us for what we've done, Lord
Posted 20 years ago by porcupinemeat    [ Reply ]
Do I hear kind of a Jeffrey Gaines with more \"hip\" guitars? Anyone.... ..bueller...
Posted 20 years ago by halcatus    [ Reply ]
not bad, pretty good, I can\'t complain. :)
Posted 20 years ago by stinky    [ Reply ]
I guess I\'ll put in my two cents about the lyrics, too. I\'ve been trying to find a link to them on the web and, to date, haven\'t been successful. However, from what I hear, it doesn\'t sound like he\'s espousing any particular religious view (nothing that could be called blatant), though he makes reference to Jesus, Judas and redemption. I\'d be eager to see the lyrics if anyone can post a link, and I\'d be willing to revise my opinion if I\'m incorrect, but like I said, that\'s my two cents, from a Christian point of view.
Posted 20 years ago by Joyfulchristine    [ Reply ]
This wears well on me...and to be honest, I pay a lot more attention to the groove than the lyrics. Kind of a David Byrne feel to this one....play on.
Posted 20 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
bRILLIANT ALBUM!!!!!!!
Posted 20 years ago by serene23    [ Reply ]
Oh MY GOD! It\'s just a song!! So what if you don\'t believe what he believes. People take things much too seiously! Life should be a lot more fun!!
Posted 20 years ago by DH    [ Reply ]
This is nice in a Daniel Lanois sort of way. Faith is much better expressed artistically - rather than literally, It is less intrusive while leaving plenty of room for creative interpretation. Good grief, if the same lyrics were in a Peter Gabriel song, there would not be such a fuss! Lighten up, music critics!
Posted 20 years ago by 242glt    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by gstark33: The problem with blatantly religious music is that it takes an act of will for non-believers to hear past the god part. This guy, like Cockburn, is good enough so it is worth the effort - so far.
Agreed.... and an act of will, just to cut an artist some slack, seems to be too much to ask of listeners who set themselves up as infant jealous dieties exercising their petty omnipotence on a never ending judgement day.
Posted 20 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]
i think this song is good. i wouldn\'t go out and buy the album, but i don\'t mind hearing it every once in awhile. i don\'t understand why people can\'t look past the religious aspect of this song. there\'s a bunch of songs i like that don\'t necessarily run parallel with my belief system. i mean, most of you like led zeppelin (according to how they\'ve been rated) and don\'t mind the fact that plant spews nonsense about elves and shit, right?
Posted 20 years ago by downbylaw    [ Reply ]
The problem with blatantly religious music is that it takes an act of will for non-believers to hear past the god part. This guy, like Cockburn, is good enough so it is worth the effort - so far.
Posted 20 years ago by gstark33    [ Reply ]
My thoughts exactly.
Originally Posted by garyweiler: Wow..I'm shocked by the negative comments for this beautiful song. Thoughtful, spirit-filled and hypnotic. Here's Rolling Stone's review:
Posted 20 years ago by Coppertop    [ Reply ]
Wow..I\'m shocked by the negative comments for this beautiful song. Thoughtful, spirit-filled and hypnotic. Here\'s Rolling Stone\'s review: Joseph Arthur\'s Redemption\'s Son is a gust of spiritual pop, a record that openly worships without sinking into heavy-handedness. Arthur\'s idea of rock is stately and dignified -- he repeatedly overdubs his voice, evoking an angelic chorus -- but his snug songwriting lends these tracks real warmth. The gloomy jailhouse reflections of \"Dear Lord\" are lightened by his sprightly harmonica. \"Let\'s Embrace\" is a sweet slice of country-influenced pop. Arthur is a true believer; it\'s this mortal life that brings disappointment, as on the bitter kiss-off \"Favorite Girl\": \"I just had a revelation/My heart\'s been dying of starvation.\" If only women treated him as well as the Lord does. JON CARAMANICA (RS 914 – January 3, 2003)
Posted 20 years ago by garyweiler    [ Reply ]
I can\'t figure this guy out. I either love his songs, or hate them. This one would fall in the hate category....
Posted 20 years ago by jamhen    [ Reply ]
Starting to take a liking to. The first time I heard this I wouldn\'t have expected this to happen
Posted 20 years ago by ladyj    [ Reply ]
he is my obsession
Posted 20 years ago by araenel    [ Reply ]
I have come to the conclusion that I prefer the other Arthur\'s other tunes that I have heard on RP. This song is not holding up well with multiple listens. To my ears anyway.
Posted 20 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
This gets more annoying each day it\'s played.
Posted 21 years ago by eric    [ Reply ]
PLEASE! PLEASE! MAKE IT STOP!
Posted 21 years ago by painter    [ Reply ]
I\'m still getting a feel for this one. I would like hear again. Have to say it is \"decent\", for now.
Posted 21 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
Something about this makes me think of...the Red Hot Chilli Peppers? Anyway, this wasn\'t painful, but I could live without it.
Posted 21 years ago by phiagurl    [ Reply ]
I\'ve been a fan of his ever since I heard him on RP, ( where else would we hear him ?)
Posted 21 years ago by Coppertop    [ Reply ]
Oh, puhleeze... lose this one.
Posted 21 years ago by eric    [ Reply ]
I gotta admit - the more I hear of this guy the less I like him. He\'s pretty slick about it, but he still beats you over the head with his religious beliefs in his lyrics. I just don\'t go for that at all. It works for J. S. Bach - but not for Mr. Arthur. Gave it a 3.
Posted 21 years ago by rgrace    [ Reply ]