Don't Be Surprised

She was heavy with child, he had a hungry look

They were out on the road just waitin' to be took

And I wasn't much better, all I owned in a sack

But I had enough street smarts to watch my back

And he asked me if I knew a place they could go

To keep from the wind, away from the rain and the drivin' snow

He said I'm good with my hands, I can work my way

But I don't know a soul hear, there's not much I can pay

I just shook my head and all I could say was

Don't be surprised when they turn you away

I said your child will be born to a heartless place

If he tries to do good, they'll just spit in his face

He might heal the sick, make a lame man walk

Draw big crowds of people to hear his talk

But he'd make rich men nervous, they'd take him away

Put him on trial, and twist his words just to make make him pay

He might be humble, the gentlest around

But that won't stop some men from puttin' him down

You see I don't have much faith in people these days

So don't be surprised if they turn him away

I guess someday maybe Rome will fall

Peace could live inside Jerusalem's walls

Men will succeed at lots of things they try

Grow food in the desert, even learn how to fly

In two thousand years they'll look back on our day

And study about us, wonder how in the world we could live this way

But the more things change the more they stay the same

Men will never give up their hurtful games

A few will stand tall, a few will walk straight

But most of us will fall to the fear and hate

I guess at the time it didn't seem so odd

But that was Joseph and Mary, the mother of God

I wouldn't change a word if I saw them today

And I wouldn't be surprised if they turned them away

He said I'm good with my hands, I can work my way

But I don't know a soul hear, there's not much I can pay

I just shook my head and all I could say was

Don't be surprised when they turn you away