Missionary Man

Album: Revenge (1986)
Charted: 31 14
Play Video
  • Well I was born an original sinner.
    I was borne from original sin.
    And if I had a dollar bill
    For all the things I've done
    There'd be a mountain of money
    Piled up to my chin

    My mother told me good
    My mother told me strong.
    She said "Be true to yourself
    And you can't go wrong."
    "But there's just one thing
    That you must understand."
    "You can fool with your brother
    But don't mess with a missionary man."

    Don't mess with a missionary man.
    Don't mess with a missionary man.

    Well the missionary man
    He's got god on his side.
    He's got the saints and apostles
    Backin' up from behind.
    Black eyed looks from those bible books.
    He's a man with a mission
    Got a serious mind.
    There was a woman in the jungle
    And a monkey on a tree.
    The missionary man he was followin' me.
    He said "Stop what you're doing."
    "Get down upon your knees."
    "I've a message for you that you better believe." Writer/s: ANNIE LENNOX, DAVID ALLAN STEWART
    Publisher: Royalty Network, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 7

  • Kimithy from Norcal UsaLove the song missionary man. Plan to look for the ringtone.
  • Peter from EarthDoes "fool with your brother" imply incest??
  • Jack Rabbit from Tim Buck TooWhat do you think the meaning is about the monkey in a tree. It symbolizes something but I am not sure what. is it human desire? I don't grasp it.
  • Kenny from Dallas, TexasI think Missionary Man is one of Eurythmics very best tunes. This was their era where they were really a hard rock band instead of a synth band and this album along with Be Yourself Tonight had some awesome music. I didn't care for Ann Wilson's cover because her phrasing sounds like she's singing karaoke. I normally love her music but Missionary is a song that really shouldn't be covered, much like Ms. Wilson's versions of Alone and Barracuda.
  • Moss from Midwestas a queer kid, i read the missionary man as a treat to be avoided if at all possible
  • Mary O. from Omaha, NeAs a Catholic, I've grown up to love this song as Christians and Catholics are being persecuted right in our own USA. Annie's powerful voice and the powerful lyrics make me feel invincible as I sing it... of course with the sound cranked. Love this song!
  • Susan from Airdrie, -When I first heard this song when it first came out, I thought it sounded ugly and too raunchy. Luckily, it didn't stop me liking this amazing band. Now that I'm "old", I can enjoy this song for its genius. It doesn't sound so bad now that I'm seasoned up a bit. ;)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.