The Devil Made Me Do It

Down there in the rectory by the sanctuary light
With a demon on the left and an angel on the right
Kneeling on the floor, anticipating the appeal
Wondering if he cares if I believe that he’s real
Doctor, lawyer, soldier, sailor, beggar man, thief
Will they all look down on my poor soul in disbelief
With these motes in their eyes, how are they supposed to see?
Sorry, judge, not guilty, don’t put the blame on me

The devil made me do it, I swear that he did
God didn’t even watch when I was messin’ with that kid
The devil made me do it, I pray and I swear
Say, does he give a damn if I believe he was there…?

Hang on Saint Pancras, you were only fourteen
Poor but ambitious, and new on the scene
You tried to be humble, you tried to be meek
You didn’t have it coming when you turned the other cheek
God was hiding in the gaps when there was no room for doubt
The choir boys came in - there was no need to come out
Some may go to heaven and some may go to hell
Tried to exorcize my demons and my angels left as well

The devil made me do it, I swear that he did
God didn’t even watch when I was messin’ with that kid
The devil made me do it, I pray and I swear
Say, does he give a damn if I believe he was there…?

[Music & Lyrics: R. A. Jung]
Release: "Straight Ahead" (album)