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Jesus The Missing Years

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[Intro]
Jesus, the Missing Years
[Verse 1]
It Cwas raining, it was cold
WesFt Bethlehem was no place for a twelve-year old
So Ghe packed his bag and he headed out
To find out what the worCld's about
HCe went to France and went to Spain
HFe found love and he found pain
HGe found stores, so he started to shop
He had no money, so he got in trouble with a cCop
KiCds in trouble with the cops from Israel didn't have no home
So Fhe cut his hair and moved to Rome
It Gwas there, he met his Irish bride
And they rented a flat on the lower east side of RoCme
IFtaly, that is
MGusic publishers, book binders
Bible belters, swimming pools
Orgies, and lots of pretty Italian Cchicks
[Chorus]
CCharlie bought some popcorn, BFilly bought a car
SoGmeone almost bought the farm, but they didn't go that far
ThiCngs shut down at midnight, at leFast round here they do
'CauGse we all reside down the block inside 23 SkiCdoo
[Verse 2]
WiCne was flowing, so were beers
SFo Jesus found his missing years
HGe went to a dance and said, "This don't move me"
He hiked up his pants and hCe went to a movie
On Chis thirteenth birthday, he saw Rebel Without A Cause
He Fwent straight on home and invented Santa Claus
Who Ggave him a gift and he responded in kind
He gave the gift of love and went out of his mCind
YoCu see, him and the wife wasn't getting along
SFo he took out his guitar and he wrote a song
CalGled 'The Dove Of Love Fell Off The Perch'
But he couldn't get divorced in the Catholic ChuCrch
AFt least not back then, anyhow
JCesus was a good guy
He didn't need this shit
So he took a pill with a Coca-Cola
And he swallowed Fit
He Gdiscovered the Beatles
And he recorded with The Stones
Once he even opened up a three-way package
For old George CJones
[Chorus]
ChaCrlie bought some popcorn, Billy Fbought a car
SomGeone almost bought the farm, but they didn't go that faCr
ThinCgs shut down at midnight, at Fleast round here they do
'CauGse we all reside down the block inside of...23 SkCidoo
[Verse 3]
The yeCars went by like sweet little days
With Fbabies crying pork chops and Beaujolais
When Ghe woke up, he was seventeen
The world was angry, thCe world was mean
WhyC, the man down the street and the kid on the stoop
All agreed that life stanFk, all the world smelled like poop
Baby pGoop, that is
The worCst kind
So Ghe grew his hair long and he threw away his comb
Headed back to Jerusalem to find Mom and Dad and Chome
BCut when he got there, the cupboard was bare
ExcFept for an old black man with a fishing rod
HGe said, "What you gonna be when you grow up?"
Jesus said, "God"
Oh Cmy God, what have I gotten myself into?
I'm a Fhuman corkscrew and all my wine is blood
They're gonna kill me, GMama, they don't like me, BuCd
So JeCsus went to Heaven, he went there awful quick
All tFhem people killed him, he wasn't even sick
So, coGme and gather around me, my contemporary peers
And I'Fll tell you all the story of JesGus: The MiCssing Years
[Chorus]
CharlCie bought some popcorn, BiFlly bought a car
SomeoGne almost bought the farm, but they didn't go that fCar
ThingCs shut down at midnight, at leFast round here they do
'CauGse we all reside down the block inside at 23...CSkidoo

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

John Prine was a country-folk singer-songwriter known for his humorous lyrics about life and love, often with social commentary and satire, alongside sweet and melancholy ballads. This song comes from his album The Missing Years. It plays like a whimsical exploration of an untold chapter, inviting you to ponder the mysteries within a familiar story.

AI-written from these sources:John Prine — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Jesus The Missing Years

by John Prine

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

Jesus, the Missing Years

[Verse 1]

It was raining, it was cold

West Bethlehem was no place for a twelve-year old

So he packed his bag and he headed out

To find out what the world's about

He went to France and went to Spain

He found love and he found pain

He found stores, so he started to shop

He had no money, so he got in trouble with a cop

Kids in trouble with the cops from Israel didn't have no home

So he cut his hair and moved to Rome

It was there, he met his Irish bride

And they rented a flat on the lower east side of Rome

Italy, that is

Music publishers, book binders

Bible belters, swimming pools

Orgies, and lots of pretty Italian chicks

[Chorus]

C F

Charlie bought some popcorn, Billy bought a car

Someone almost bought the farm, but they didn't go that far

C F

Things shut down at midnight, at least round here they do

G C

'Cause we all reside down the block inside 23 Skidoo

[Verse 2]

Wine was flowing, so were beers

So Jesus found his missing years

He went to a dance and said, "This don't move me"

He hiked up his pants and he went to a movie

On his thirteenth birthday, he saw Rebel Without A Cause

He went straight on home and invented Santa Claus

Who gave him a gift and he responded in kind

He gave the gift of love and went out of his mind

You see, him and the wife wasn't getting along

So he took out his guitar and he wrote a song

Called 'The Dove Of Love Fell Off The Perch'

But he couldn't get divorced in the Catholic Church

At least not back then, anyhow

Jesus was a good guy

He didn't need this shit

So he took a pill with a Coca-Cola

And he swallowed it

He discovered the Beatles

And he recorded with The Stones

Once he even opened up a three-way package

For old George Jones

[Chorus]

C F

Charlie bought some popcorn, Billy bought a car

G C

Someone almost bought the farm, but they didn't go that far

C F

Things shut down at midnight, at least round here they do

G C

'Cause we all reside down the block inside of...23 Skidoo

[Verse 3]

The years went by like sweet little days

With babies crying pork chops and Beaujolais

When he woke up, he was seventeen

The world was angry, the world was mean

Why, the man down the street and the kid on the stoop

All agreed that life stank, all the world smelled like poop

Baby poop, that is

The worst kind

So he grew his hair long and he threw away his comb

Headed back to Jerusalem to find Mom and Dad and home

But when he got there, the cupboard was bare

Except for an old black man with a fishing rod

He said, "What you gonna be when you grow up?"

Jesus said, "God"

Oh my God, what have I gotten myself into?

I'm a human corkscrew and all my wine is blood

G C

They're gonna kill me, Mama, they don't like me, Bud

So Jesus went to Heaven, he went there awful quick

All them people killed him, he wasn't even sick

So, come and gather around me, my contemporary peers

F G C

And I'll tell you all the story of Jesus: The Missing Years

[Chorus]

C F

Charlie bought some popcorn, Billy bought a car

G C

Someone almost bought the farm, but they didn't go that far

C F

Things shut down at midnight, at least round here they do

G C

'Cause we all reside down the block inside at 23...Skidoo

About Jesus The Missing Years Chords by John Prine

Learn how to play Jesus The Missing Years by John Prine with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Jesus The Missing Years chords”, “Jesus The Missing Years guitar chords”, or “John Prine Jesus The Missing Years chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Jesus The Missing Years chords and for experienced players who want accurate Jesus The Missing Years lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, G, A.

FAQ — Jesus The Missing Years by John Prine

How do I play "Jesus The Missing Years" by John Prine on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Jesus The Missing Years" by John Prine on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

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Can I transpose "Jesus The Missing Years" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Jesus The Missing Years" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Jesus The Missing Years"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Jesus The Missing Years" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Jesus The Missing Years" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Jesus The Missing Years" by John Prine with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by John Prine below.

What key is "Jesus The Missing Years" in?

The chords for "Jesus The Missing Years" show the original chord names (including C, F, G, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.