Innocence Lost

Ever hear the sound of a death row chorus?
Ever see the look of a wolfman prowling the Steppes?
In this deep freeze bunker they store us
Send away the priest, 'cause there ain't nothing more to confess

She had the innocent eyes of a Renoir lady
Clutched her black book like an angel nursing a child
'It's quarter to midnight here, Baby
If you're gonna stare, do it while I'm sleeping'
But her eyes, they shone of an innocent way...
In her eyes, we glimpsed of an innocent way...
And in the days that followed, we were under a spell
Why's that girl visiting a prison cell?

Innocence, innocence, innocence lost
All souls want it back, some uncover the cost
Innocence, innocence, innocence lost
Break free, look at me, is your innocence lost?

He's seen things that a man didn't mention
Sunk into his eyes was a weariness nothing could heal
'Don't tell me 'bout your cheap salvation
What's a man do when he don't feel nothing?'
But her eyes they shone in an innocent way
She said, 'Beyond these bars there are things you can't see'
He spoke slowly, 'Ain't no pardon for me'

Innocence, innocence, innocence lost
All souls want it back, some uncover the cost
Innocence, innocence, innocence lost
She said, 'Look at me, don't you,
Don't you lose your innocence.'

He said, 'God's own angels couldn't give me hope
When you leave me hanging, just leave me enough rope'
But in her eyes he glimpsed of an innocent day

And on the eve of destruction, they were shining the chair
Outside vigils, inside men were sobbing
As she kissed his forehead when the morning had dawned
He said softly to her, 'I'll see you beyond'

Written by Steve Taylor © 1987 Soylent Tunes

Taylor said, "I dreamt up the fictional details, but the core inspiration of this conversion story is a friend who for a number of years has been taking the love of God to those in prison as a volunteer for prison fellowship.  'I'll tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:40)"
(Taken from liner notes to "Now The Truth Can Be Told")

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