Derek Webb Ballad In Plain Red Lyrics

Ballad In Plain Red Lyrics

i’m robbing peter, i’m paying paul

i’m changing my name back to saul

i got to them and you know i’ll get to you



i’m turning shepherds into sheep

and leaders into celebrities

it’s holy sabotage, just look around you



chorus

‘cause everything’s for sale in the 21st century

and the check is in the mail from the 21st century



don’t want the song i want a jingle

i love you Lord but don’t hear a single

and the truth is nearly impossible to rhyme



but i know the songs with all the hooks

and i know some lies that will sell some books

so grab ‘em fast, i’m running outta time



just keep selling truth in candy bars

on billboards and backs of cars

truth without context, my favorite of all my crimes



chorus



bridge

what works verses what's right

hey what's the difference tonight?



take out the sign, forget the meal

we’ve got a gym and a farris wheel

i swear it's just like the country club down the block



‘cause you can make your life look good

you can do what Jesus would

but you’d be surprised what you can do with a hard heart



chorus



tag

i think you’ve got trouble in the 21st century

so welcome to the struggle, it’s the 21st century

i never thought i’d make it to the 21st century

Lord, i love the 21st century



i write these words from the grave

‘cause it’s the only place that i’m safe

and only the dead are permitted to speak the truth