Smash the Icons

from Camperdown House by Camperdown House

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lyrics

Emperor Leo wrote to Greg the pope.
Hey Greg, this finds you well, I hope,
now let's purge our culture of figurative sculpture.

Smash the icons, smash 'em in bits
Smash up Christ, smash the cross
Smash the saints, smash Mary,
Smash, smash the icons

Greg drives around in a poped-out Prius,
subwoofer thumping out Ave Marias.
He's got the best apartment in all of Rome.
He put down the letter, he picked up the phone.

Leo, it's a statue, look at his arms -
man, look at his face.
It's got mortal pain and it's got divine grace.
And while I've got you here,
that Lombardian army that I mentioned before
is getting close to our gates,
and our exarchate could use some defense
which you, being emperor, ought to supply.
While me, being pope, I'll need to discuss
these cultural treasures you're turning to dust.

And Leo said, my army is in Syria, that's a mighty long walk,
but bust up some statues, and then we'll talk.
I wouldn't get too hopeful.
And if you've got a date in Constantinople,
she'll be smashing. Icons.

Smash the icons, smash 'em in bits
Smash up Christ, smash the cross
Smash the saints, smash Mary,
Smash, smash the icons

Greg stood out on his balcony
watching some birds
take flight
over the Tiber
and said, I see what this is.
If he wouldn't do my job, I wouldn't do his.
Maybe I should go see the king of the Franks -
drive up in the Prius, come back with some tanks.

And Leo thought, Jesus, can the dude not read?
No engraved thingies,
that's rule number three.

credits

from Camperdown House, released September 10, 2020
Vocals, keyboards: John David Duncan
Guitars & bass: Sam Densmore
Drums: Susan Lucia
Percussion: Joey Harmon
Viola: Kyleen King
Cello: Anna Fritz

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Camperdown House Portland, Oregon

Camperdown House is a project of songwriter John David Duncan in Portland, Oregon.

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