I can't say that I love Jesus
That would be a hollow claim
He did make some observations
And I'm quoting them today
"Judge not lest ye be judged"
What a beautiful refrain
The studio audience disagrees
Have his lambs all gone astray?

[Chorus]
Call me a leper
Call me a leper
Call me a leper

"You are lost and disillusioned!"
What an awful thing to say
I know this show doesn't flatter
It means nothing to me
I thought I might help them understand
But what an ugly thing to see
"I am not an animal"
Subtitled under the screen

[Chorus]

When I tried to tell my story
They cut me off to take a break
I sat silent five commercials
I had nothing left to say
The talk show host was index-carded
All organized and blank
The other guests were scared and hardened
What a sad parade

What a sad parade

[Chorus]



Lyrics submitted by xpankfrisst

Track duration: 05:25

"New Test Leper" as written by William/buck Berry

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


New Test Leper song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • 0
    Song Meaning: I think this song is not about hypocrisy but the fact that people who call themselves Christians follow modern ideas of Christianity rather than Jesus actual words. Whether or not Jesus was the son of God is not the point. His message about loving one another and not judging others is what matters not political ideas or religious interpretations. -Peace
    Flag maybeidontknowon December 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm an agnostic and this song is obviously about religious hypocracy.
    Flag fritzrxon September 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:definitely about hypocritical religious types...specifically Christians (though one should wonder why there aren't more artists writing about hypocritical jews or muslims or hindus, etc....why the sole focus on Christians as if they have a monopoly on hypocrisy?)

    anyway, though religious, this song does not offend me at all. I think it's powerful and moving and is the backbone of "New Adventures"
    Flag rajwoodsonon July 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is the reason alot of Christians hate REM. (well, at least the dumber ones. no Christians, im not saying you are dumb, but every group has a few idiots mixed in)
    mostly because of the first line "I can't say that I love Jesus, that would be a hollow claim"

    ive always thought that this meant that it's really impossible to actually love someone who you have never met or seen, only read about.

    and it's about how Christians like to force their religion on others, and tell them that if they don't believe what they do they will go to hell. but, not just Christians, its about America, the government promoting Christianity and saying all other religions are false even though it's supposed to be a country of religious tolerance.

    why should it matter what people think of Jesus? im not of any religion at all, but i do believe Jesus did exist. and that he was a great man, and diserves respect. a peace activist, like ghandi, john lennon, and martin luther king... and just like them, he was brutally murdered for his veiws. though the idea of him being the son of god is well, completely unbelievable to me. even if he was, i would never worship him, i find the idea of worship to be degrading to both parties involved.

    perhaps this song is about a view of religion similar to mine, especially on the concept of Jesus.
    Flag EvilVultureon September 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
    Flag cgnjnyon February 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Think about being on a talk show because you have a disease, "leprosy", if you will. It's the modern day freak show, and we watch it to say, "thank god I'm not like them." I think this song addresses the assumption that people have that people who are in a bad situation put themselves there. That kind of judgement, when they can never truly know what's going on behind that person's eyes, is wrong.
    Flag airwolf queenon April 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Oh, I love it :-)
    I could never be a Christian (don't hassle me about that, I'll respect your religion, you respect mine ;)) But I believe the Bible has a lot of valid points.

    Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

    ,...How many Emo kids are running around yelling "Don't fucking judge me!" ?
    Flag simsfreqon January 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I just wanted to say that this may be my most favorite REM song on my most favorite REM album (excepting maybe Nightswimming).

    I think it's about someone who has real views on faith but can't get heard because they don't fit in with popular conceptions. Ironic attack on religion, because that's just what Jesus was.
    Flag Zsharrowon February 27, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I heard it was about an AIDS sufferer on a TV Talk Show.
    Flag driver08ukon February 17, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This seems to address TV evangelism, and the hypocrisy of the Evangicals intolerance, like avucular says.

    Excellent song. Possibly my favorite.
    Flag Hyperboleon November 27, 2004   Link

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