Music Video
The Temple
The Temple Lyrics
The Temple Song Lyrics
MONEYCHANGERS AND MERCHANTS
Roll on up Jerusalem,
Come on in Jerusalem,
Sunday here we go again,
Live in me Jerusalem.
Here you live Jerusalem,
Here you breathe Jerusalem,
While your temple still survives,
You at least are still alive.
I got things you won't believe,
Name your pleasure I will sell.
I can fix your wildest needs,
I got heaven and I got hell.
Roll on up, for my price is down.
Come on in for the best in town.
Take your pick of the finest wine.
Lay your bets on this bird of mine.
What you see is what you get.
No one's been disappointed yet.
Don't be scared give me a try,
There is nothing you can't buy.
Name your price, I got everything.
Hurry it's going fast.
Borrow cash on the finest terms.
Hurry now while stocks still last.
Roll on up Jerusalem,
Come on in Jerusalem,
Sunday here we go again,
Live in me Jerusalem.
Here you live Jerusalem,
Here you breathe Jerusalem,
While your temple still survives,
You at least are still alive.
I got things you won't believe,
Name your pleasure I will sell.
I can fix your
(fade, screaming)
JESUS
My temple should be a house of prayer,
But you have made it a den of thieves.
Get out! Get out!
My time is almost through.
Little left to do.
After all, I've tried for three years.
Seems like thirty, seems like thirty.
CROWD
See my eyes, I can hardly see.
See me stand, I can hardly walk.
I believe you can make me whole.
See my tongue, I can hardly talk.
See my skin, I'm a mass of blood.
See my legs, I can hardly stand.
I believe you can make me well.
See my purse, I'm a poor, poor man.
Will you touch, will you mend me Christ?
Won't you touch, will you heal me Christ?
Will you kiss, you can cure me Christ?
Won't you kiss, won't you pay me Christ?
See my eyes, I can hardly see.
See me stand, I can hardly walk.
I believe you can make me whole.
See my tongue, I can hardly talk.
See my skin, I'm a mass of blood.
See my legs, I can hardly stand.
I believe you can make me well.
See my purse, I'm a poor, poor man.
Will you touch, will you mend me Christ?
Won't you touch, will you heal me Christ?
Will you kiss, you can cure me Christ?
Won't you kiss, won't you pay me Christ?
JESUS
There's too many of you...Don't push me.
There's too little of me...Don't crowd me.
Heal yourselves!
May, 07th 2014
"The Temple" from "Jesus Christ Superstar" juxtapodes the commercial exploitation within the Temple against the spiritual healing and moral teachings of Jesus Christ. The song is structured in two contrasting parts, reflecting the tension between materialism and spiritualism.The opening part is dominated by the moneychangers and merchants, invitibg people to partake in the commercial activities at the Temple. Their chant, "Roll on up Jerusalem...Live in me Jerusalem," suggests the Temple, meant to be a sacred place, has become a bustling marketplace. The lyrics, "I got things you won't believe, Name your pleasure I will sell," emphasize the commodification of religion, turning the Temple into a place where everything, including indulgences and salvation, is up for sale. This part of the song paints a vivid picture of a corrupted religious institution, more concerned with profit than piety.
The latter part introduces Jesus, who is appalled by the scene. His declaration, "My temple should be a house of prayer, But you have made it a den of thieves," is a direct confrontation of the sacrilege he witnesses. Jesus' action of driving the merchants out is a symbolic cleansing, an attempt to restore the Temple's sanctity. The phrase "Get out! Get out!" signifies Jesus' rejection of the materialistic corruption that has infiltrated a place of worship.
As the song progresses, the crowd's pleas for healing illustrate the desperate need for spiritual and physical salvation. The repeated appeals - "Will you touch, will you mend me Christ?" - underscore the people's belief in Jesus' healing powers. However, Jesus' overwhelmed response, "There's too many of you...Don't push me...Heal yourselves!" suggests the limitations he faces as a single individual against the multitude's needs. It also reflects his teaching that faith and personal responsibility are crucial for one's spiritual journey.
Overall, "The Temple" serves as a powerful commentary on the conflict between commercial exploitation in religious institutions and the genuine spiritual guidance offered by religious figures like Jesus. The song highlights the dichotomy between worldly greed and the search for spiritual truth.
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