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Jesus Wept

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Gmajor

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[Intro]
G   C   Em   D    G
C   D
G   C   Em   D
G   C   G
[Verse 1]
GThe day that Jesus Carrived in JeEmrusDalemG  
adventure almost over, the nCight he hadn't sDlept
GDreams and premonitions made him Ctired and EmemoDtional,
GAnd that's why JCesus wGept.
[Verse 2]
He wasn't scared of dying, he'd Cmade that EmcommitDmentG  
Fulfilling the old prophecy, his Cbargain he had Dkept
He was dGue some satisfaction, but hCe was deeply tEmroublDed,
GAnd that's why JCesus wGept.
[Verse 3]
Was this his true destiny, or coCuld he still makEme chaDnges,G  
Someone else's nightmare iCnto which he'd Dstepped?
GDamage limitation couldn't sCave the siEmtuatiDon,
GAnd that's why JesDus wGept.
[Verse 4]
In his dream he saw the crusade and Call wars that woulEmd follDow,
DecGlared in his name when he tChought he'd been Ddirect
Love Gthy neighbour, do not kill, and Cturn the othEmer chDeek,
GAnd that's why JDesus wGept.
[Chorus 1]
He sCaw the inquisiGtion anCd the burning of the saiGnts,
The converCsion of the Ginnocents Amhe swore he would Dprotect
He Gsaw them bless the Cbomb that was dropped on GHiroshima,
And that's why CJesus Gwept.
[Verse 5]
Though Peter would betray him, Che made him the EmroDck
On Gwhich he would build his church to sorCt of keep him in hiDs debt
A Gman about to die is Callowed some EmconfusDion,
GAnd that's why DJesus wGept.
[Verse 6]
He thought of his disciples, eCspecially of EmJudaDs,
The jGob that was ordained for him and the Creward he'd cDollect
He Gsaw him in the tree with the Csilver coins Emaround Dhim,
GAnd that's why JDesus wGept.
[Verse 7]
Then he thought about the good times when Che turned the tabEmles oDver,
ChGastised the money lenders and he Cearned the boy's resDpect
HGe was proud of Godly anger, but Cashamed of maEmnly teDmper,
GAnd that's why JDesus wGept.
[Verse 8]
Rumours started flying abouCt water iEmnto wDine,
SGight to the blind and that heC'd even raised the dDead
TGhe biggest miracle was thaCt anyone beEmlieved iDt,
GAnd that's why DJesus Gwept.
[Chorus 2]
CThen he Gmused on human nature, Chow fickle were the puGblic,
So rCeady to accept hGim, so qAmuick now to reDject
GWhere were the five thousand hCe fed with loaves and fEmishes?
GAnd that's why JCesus wGept.
[Verse 9]
In his dream he saw a garden wiCth all his friendEms aslDeep,
He Gwalked away the hours untiCl the morning crDept
He Gwondered would the nails hurtC, would he be mEman enouDgh?
GAnd that's why DJesus Gwept.
[Verse 10]
Was he supposed to bear it like a man Cor like a EmGodD,
WouGld tears show a weakness or a Cstrength by their eDffect?
WouGld they be viewed as compassion oCr failure and selEmf-piDty?
GAnd that's why DJesus wGept.
[Verse 11]
Then he saw his houses burning on bCoth sides of a EmbordeDr,
SaGw the guiltless suffer with the Cguilty and the rDest
AnGd when they called his name and hCe knew he couldn't Emhelp Dthem,
GThat's why JDesus wGept.
[Chorus 3]
TChen he saw two armies Gmarching and he hCeard their cGrucifixes
CReduced to supersGtitious muted Amjangling round their Dnecks
And hGe heard his name intoned as they Cinterred their compEmanion,
GAnd that's why CJesus Gwept.
[Verse 12]
Then he thought about his mother and the Cstories she had toEmld hiDm,
WhGo'd filled his dreams with angels, pCut voices in his hDead
ThGen the scent of pine trees made him Cthink of dear old EmJoseDph,
GAnd that's why JDesus Gwept.
That's why JCesus Gwept.

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Jesus Wept

by Ralph McTell

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

G C Em D G

C D

G C Em D

G C G

[Verse 1]

G C Em D G

The day that Jesus arrived in Jerusalem

C D

adventure almost over, the night he hadn't slept

G C Em D

Dreams and premonitions made him tired and emotional,

G C G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 2]

C Em D G

He wasn't scared of dying, he'd made that commitment

C D

Fulfilling the old prophecy, his bargain he had kept

G C Em D

He was due some satisfaction, but he was deeply troubled,

G C G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 3]

C Em D G

Was this his true destiny, or could he still make changes,

C D

Someone else's nightmare into which he'd stepped?

G C Em D

Damage limitation couldn't save the situation,

G D G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 4]

C Em D

In his dream he saw the crusade and all wars that would follow,

G C D

Declared in his name when he thought he'd been direct

G C Em D

Love thy neighbour, do not kill, and turn the other cheek,

G D G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Chorus 1]

C G C G

He saw the inquisition and the burning of the saints,

C G Am D

The conversion of the innocents he swore he would protect

G C G

He saw them bless the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima,

C G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 5]

C Em D

Though Peter would betray him, he made him the rock

G C D

On which he would build his church to sort of keep him in his debt

G C Em D

A man about to die is allowed some confusion,

G D G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 6]

C Em D

He thought of his disciples, especially of Judas,

G C D

The job that was ordained for him and the reward he'd collect

G C Em D

He saw him in the tree with the silver coins around him,

G D G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 7]

C Em D

Then he thought about the good times when he turned the tables over,

G C D

Chastised the money lenders and he earned the boy's respect

G C Em D

He was proud of Godly anger, but ashamed of manly temper,

G D G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 8]

C Em D

Rumours started flying about water into wine,

G C D

Sight to the blind and that he'd even raised the dead

G C Em D

The biggest miracle was that anyone believed it,

G D G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Chorus 2]

C G C G

Then he mused on human nature, how fickle were the public,

C G Am D

So ready to accept him, so quick now to reject

G C Em

Where were the five thousand he fed with loaves and fishes?

G C G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 9]

C Em D

In his dream he saw a garden with all his friends asleep,

G C D

He walked away the hours until the morning crept

G C Em D

He wondered would the nails hurt, would he be man enough?

G D G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 10]

C Em D

Was he supposed to bear it like a man or like a God,

G C D

Would tears show a weakness or a strength by their effect?

G C Em D

Would they be viewed as compassion or failure and self-pity?

G D G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 11]

C Em D

Then he saw his houses burning on both sides of a border,

G C D

Saw the guiltless suffer with the guilty and the rest

G C Em D

And when they called his name and he knew he couldn't help them,

G D G

That's why Jesus wept.

[Chorus 3]

C G C G

Then he saw two armies marching and he heard their crucifixes

C G Am D

Reduced to superstitious muted jangling round their necks

G C Em

And he heard his name intoned as they interred their companion,

G C G

And that's why Jesus wept.

[Verse 12]

C Em D

Then he thought about his mother and the stories she had told him,

G C D

Who'd filled his dreams with angels, put voices in his head

G C Em D

Then the scent of pine trees made him think of dear old Joseph,

G D G

And that's why Jesus wept.

C G

That's why Jesus wept.

About Jesus Wept Chords by Ralph McTell

Learn how to play Jesus Wept by Ralph McTell with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Jesus Wept chords”, “Jesus Wept guitar chords”, or “Ralph McTell Jesus Wept 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 Wept chords and for experienced players who want accurate Jesus Wept lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, Em, D, Am, A.

FAQ — Jesus Wept by Ralph McTell

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