This week, Jim, host of Song Lyric Sunday, brings us a prompt from Paula of Light Motifs II. The prompts are House, Room, Kitchen, Shower, Attic. I’m not going to lie, December is not a good time for me. It is the middle of my flare season, and I spend a lot of time beating myself up for not being able to control this flare. It is self-inflicted by my inability to deal with routine changes. Anyway, that being said, I’m in a dark place and it shows in my choice of music.
This week I am going with Hands on the Bible by Local H.
Local H is an underground, American alternative rock band our of Zion, Illinois, originally formed by guitarist and vocalist Scott Lucas, bassist Matt Garcia, drummer Joe Daniels, and lead guitarist John Sparkman in 1990. The members all met in high school in 1987 and founded Local H three years later. John Sparkman and Matt Garcia both left the band shortly after it was formed, and Scott Lucas and Joe Daniels continued the band as a duo. Eventually, Joe Daniels was replaced with Brian St. Clair who was ultimately replaced with Ryan Harding, who remains with the band to this day. It is, however, Brian St. Clair who is playing drums on this 2002 video of Hands on the Bible which is off the Here Comes the Zoo album.
The song itself spawned some controversy, claiming the band was speaking out against Christianity, well, Fundamentalist Christianity specifically. However, according to my research, Local H has never spoken out about religion and that seems a little harsh. Others who have commented on the lyrics themselves believe it is a struggle between a woman facing a decision to have an abortion and her faith. I omit “Christian” from faith there, because it isn’t only Christianity that frowns on abortion.
For me personally, this song affects me in my constant need to better myself and beat myself up for every little mistake (perceived mistake) that I make. I was once told by a therapist that my constant fear that everyone sees me screwing up is arrogance. This world doesn’t notice me. Not everything is all about me and my faults. I am so egomaniacal. (She didn’t say that last part…that was me fitting in what she said to the song.)
The song is not melodious and the piano can be a bit tedious, but his voice screams to my soul.
Hands on the Bible
Scared like a child
God holds you liable
For what you’ve done
Homicidal
Stare down your idols
Pretty baby
Never born
You can’t believe it
You didn’t mean it
But they saw you do it and they know your name
Rats in the attic
Toys in the cellar
She’s an addict
And he wants to learn
Hands on the Bible
Egomaniacal
As you screw yourself into oblivion
Worn and faded
Stoned and jaded
You’ll have to face it
On your own
Smashed on the pavement
Stunned in amazement
Everything you make comes crawling back to you
You can’t believe it
You didn’t mean it
But they saw you do it and they know your name
So hands on the Bible
Scared like a child
God holds you liable
For what you’ve done
Homicidal
Stare down your idols
A pretty baby never to be born
You can’t pretend that you don’t know the reason
For the the repent that you saw
Hands on the Bible
Humor is Mandatory 
It’s an interesting choice for this week. I don’t see any criticism for christianity in it.
Like you, I beat myself up all the time for whatever small mistake I have made. And it’s true, people don’t care about you, they often don’t even notice what you worried about all day. They say this feeling gets less as you grow older, so I’m just waiting for that to happen :p
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Same. I am learning to be less hard on myself. And to stop projecting all my negative thoughts and feelings outward. Rather, accept and learn to deal with the fact those negative thoughts and feelings are mine.
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I hate when those rats get into the attic. Thanks for sharing this song and explaining it so well SadiRose. I hope that you get through you flare season soon, as that doesn’t sound like much fun.
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It isn’t fun at all Jim, and most frustrating is that 99% of it is psychological pain. So nothing I can do to relieve it. 🙂
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