Link to: Discography Red December Next Song (Roofdeck)
		Modern Day Messiah Blues Hear It! (4:10 / 1.0M)

This is another song for which Mark had written the music to go along with his lyrics. The opening chord is one he borrowed from one of his favorite performers, Brenda Kahn. The idea was that it would be somewhat of a bluesy song. But when John started playing Mark's chords, he discovered that the chords were perfect for playing in his new favorite musical style-- 70s Funk. John has been developing a new appreciation for music he enjoyed as a kid--KC and the Sunshine Band; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Brick; Stevie Wonder (the funky days); etc. He found an opportunity to use that influence here. The song now comes across as a blues/funk blend. Lyrically, this song demonstrates an important new direction for Mark, and therefore for HBI. Mark's enrollment in the seminary and involvement in the ministry has had a significant impact on the lyrical substance of HBI. (See this song, as well as 'Fright' and 'Red December' (the song). NOTE: Mark actually wrote this song before enrolling in the seminary, but as he says "it ultimately is all part of the same process." ) This was the last song recorded in during the May 2001 recording sessions. John had about an hour left before he needed to return home. Since HBI had been completing their song recording in about an hour, they decided-- "what the heck! Let's get one more done!" So they did. (For a better story about HBI's speed recording, see the notes for I Don't Hate You Anymore.)

I first saw him in the City On an August afternoon He was sitting on a park bench and whistling a sad tune He wore second hand clothing And always talked about the poor He had this different look about him A face I swore I'd seen before He began to speak in a soft tone of voice People were quiet to hear even the birds made no noise He had the crowd entranced he could have talked for hours But then in a limousine drove up all the powers that be In their hands they had Bibles On their faces they wore hate They had come to hear the rebel Come to hear him desecrate "What do you know of Heaven?" They yelled at him in rage But he showed no anger and only answered like a sage "I know of Heaven and I know of Hell and I k now of Earth I know them all very well Heaven's not just for Christians, not just for Muslims or Jews, It's open to everyone, everyone who'll chose to love." Well they didn't like that answer They told him he was incorrect They told him to read the scriptures and to show them some respect Then he told them that God was love and more important than any book And the skies shone with brilliance and the Earth beneath us shook All at once they rushed him and bound his legs and hands They called him a blasphemer they called him a deranged man They cursed him and beat him as they threw him in the van And I looked to the skies and cried It was happening all over again Lyrics by Mark Schaefer ©2001 by HBI and Red December Music