Appearing on the last of Bob Dylan’s trilogy of Christian albums, Shot of Love (1981), this song, like many of Dylan’s before it, could have multiple meanings. On one hand, it could simply be a song about the wider society not respecting religion. On the other hand, it could be a veiled dig at Dylan...
[Verse 1]
Go ahead and talk about him because he makes you doubt
Because he has denied himself the things that you can’t live without
Laugh at him behind his back just like the others do
Remind him of what he used to be when he comes walking through
[Chorus]
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
[Verse 2]
Stop your conversation when he passes on the street
Hope he falls upon himself, oh, won’t that be sweet
Because he can’t be exploited by superstition anymore
Because he can’t be bribed or bought by the things that you adore
[Chorus]
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
[Verse 3]
When the whip that’s keeping you in line doesn’t make him jump
Say he’s hard-of-hearing, say that he’s a chump
Say he’s out of step with reality as you try to test his nerve
Because he doesn’t pay tribute to the king that you serve
[Chorus]
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
[Verse 4]
Say that he’s a loser ’cause he got no common sense
Because he don’t increase his worth at someone else’s expense
Because he's not afraid of trying, say he's got no style
'Cause he doesn't tell you jokes or fairy tales, say things that make you smile
[Chorus]
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
[Verse 5]
You can laugh at salvation, you can play Olympic games
You think that when you rest at last you’ll go back from where you came
But you’ve picked up quite a story and you’ve changed since the womb
What happened to the real you, you’ve been captured but by whom?
[Chorus]
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
Property of Jesus was written by Bob Dylan.
Property of Jesus was produced by Chuck Plotkin & Bob Dylan.
Bob Dylan released Property of Jesus on Mon Aug 10 1981.