John the Revelator

Producer

Inspired by the traditional Gospel and Blues Call and Response song “John the Revelator” ( Depeche Mode provide a far more cynical, and negative , view of John the Apostle.

Jun. 5, 20051 viewer21.8K views

John the Revelator Lyrics

[Verse]
John the Revelator, put him in an elevator
Take him up to the highest high
Take him up to the top where the mountains stop
Let him tell his book of lies
John the Revelator, he's a smooth operator
It's time we cut him down to size
Take him by the hand and put him on the stand
Let us hear his alibis

[Pre-Chorus]
By claiming God as his holy right
He's stealing a god from the Israelites
Stealing a god from the Muslim, too
There is only one god through and through

[Chorus]
Seven lies, multiplied by seven
Multiplied by seven again
Seven angels with seven trumpets
Send them home on the morning train
Well, who's that shouting? John the Revelator!
All he ever gives us is pain
Well, who's that shouting? John the Revelator!
He should bow his head in shame

[Post-Chorus]
By and by
By and by
By and by
By and by

[Chorus]
Seven lies, multiplied by seven
Multiplied by seven again
Seven angels with seven trumpets
Send them home on the morning train
Well, who's that shouting? John the Revelator!
All he ever gives us is pain
Well, who's that shouting? John the Revelator!
He should bow his head in shame

[Post-Chorus]
By and by
By and by (John the Revelator!)
By and by (John the Revelator!)
By and by (John the Revelator!)

Embed

About

Inspired by the traditional Gospel and Blues Call and Response song “John the Revelator” (https://genius.com/Son-house-john-the-revelator-lyrics) Depeche Mode provide a far more cynical, and negative , view of John the Apostle.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Depeche Mode say about "John the Revelator"?

Martin Gore told Belgian newspaper La Libre:

This song is inspired by a traditional tune. It talks about faith in God, no matter what. It also denounces the belief in a God who punishes and damns. In the ‘Book of Revelation,’ John describes his visions of these seven angels descending, blowing into their seven trumpets and causing plagues, epidemics, and floods that gradually exterminate a large part of humanity. Only the true believers remain. I do not believe in all that.

Who produced “John the Revelator” by Depeche Mode?

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