Catholic Boy
Jim Carroll feat. Pearl Jam & Chris Friel
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I was born in a pool that made my mother stand
I spat on that surgeon and his trembling hand
When I felt the light, I was worse than void
I stole the doctor's scalpel and I slit the cord
I was a Catholic boy
I was redeemed through pain, not through joy
I was two months early, they put me under glass
I screamed a curse at children when the nurses passed
I was convicted of theft as I slipped from the womb
They led me straight from my mother to a cell in the tomb
I was a Catholic boy
Redeemed through pain, not through joy
They starved me for weeks, they thought they'd teach me fear
I fed on cellmates' dreams, it gave me fine ideas
When they cut me loose, the time had served me well
I made allies in Heaven, comrades in Hell
I was a Catholic child
The blood ran red, the blood ran wild
I make angels dance and drop to their knees
When I enter a church, the feet of statues bleed
I understand the fate of all my enemies
Just like Christ on the cross of Gethsemane
I was a Catholic boy
I was redeemed through pain, not through joy
I watch a sweetest psalm stolen by a choir
I dream of martyrs' bones hanging from a wire
I make a contribution, I get absolution
I make a resolution to purify my soul
I was a Catholic boy
Redeemed through pain, not through joy
And they can't touch me now
I got every sacrament behind me
I got Baptism, I got penance
I got Communion, I got extreme unction
And I got confirmation
I was a Catholic boy
Redeemed through pain, not through joy
And now I'm a Catholic man
I put my trunk to the rail whenever I can