Read Between The Lies

Album: South Of Heaven (1988)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is song is about televangelists, and how they are nothing more than con men looking for money. By lying and claiming that your money will buy you into heaven, they leech out money that could be used for other things such as charities. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    John - Glasgow, Scotland

Comments: 3

  • Matt from Cleveland, TnLeper messiah by metallica talks about the same thing
  • Evan from Lubbock, Txi always thought it was immaculate, you claim god speaks through you, but i never looked at the lyrics
  • Frank from Philadelphia, Ms(Lyrics: Araya, King; Music: Hanneman)

    Evangelist you claim God speaks through you,
    Your restless mouth full of lies gains popularity.
    You care not for the old that suffer,
    When empty pockets cry from hunger.

    Penniless from their generosity,
    Sharing their money to quench your greed.
    Searching for the answer to their prayers
    They cry their last wish of need.
    Save me.

    His spirit lives and breathes in me.
    The almighty transformed to your screen.
    The meanings lost in its translation,
    No holy words, describe his deception.

    You say you'll help us find the lord,
    Tell me preacher how do you know
    A simple quest for a visible savior,
    To lead us through our final prayer.
    Save me.

    Send your donations,
    Contribute to the cause.
    Luxuries,
    Your righteous reward?

    Praise the lord, praise god,
    Is what you wish to sell.
    There is no heaven without a hell.

    LEAD: HANNEMAN

    In your mind's eye could you truly believe,
    That by giving you can save your soul,
    Could you be so naive!
    You heal the sick,[you] raise the dead,
    You blind the congregation
    With the things you say.

    Religious blackmail a deceit of trust,
    That death will come and all will be lost.

    Can you hear the serpents call,
    Look deep in those deceiving eyes.
    Ignore the writing on the wall,
    You should read between the lies.

    When doubt subsides his honesty,
    An inquiry, is it blasphemy?
    Impure the soul, that's made to suffer,
    No sermons left to hide or cover,
    An empty promise, lie unfulfilled,
    To steal a dream or get it killed.
    They claim your trip to heavens nearby,
    You may believe it but satan wouldn't lie.

see more comments

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.