Stand Up For Judas

The Romans were the masters

When Jesus walked the land

In Judea and in Galilee

They ruled with an iron hand

The poor were sick with hunger

And the rich were clothed in splendour

And the rebels, whipped and crucified

Hung rotting as a warning

And Jesus knew the answer -

"Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's"

Said, "Love your enemies"

But Judas was a Zealot and he

Wanted to be free

"Resist", he said, "the Romans' tyranny"

Now Jesus was a conjuror,

Miracles were his game

He fed the hungry thousands

And they glorified his name

He cured the lame and leper

He calmed the wind and the weather

And the wretched flocked to touch him

So their troubles would be taken

And Jesus knew the answer -

"All you who labour, all you who suffer

Only believe in me"

But Judas sought a world where no-one

Starved or begged for bread

"The poor are always with us", Jesus said

Chorus

So stand up, stand up for Judas

And the cause that Judas served

It was Jesus who betrayed the poor with his word

Now Jesus sowed division

Where none had been before

Not the slave against the master

But the poor against the poor

Caused son to rise up against father

And brother to fight against brother

For "He that is not with me

Is against me" was his teaching

Said Jesus, "I am the answer

You unbelievers shall burn forever

Shall die in your sins"

"Not sheep or goats" said Judas but

"Together we may dare

Shake off the chains of tyranny we share"

Chorus

So stand up, stand up for Judas

And the cause that Judas served

It was Jesus who betrayed the poor with his word

Jesus stood upon the mountain

With a distance in his eyes