Randy Newman: “God’s Song”

Cain slew Abel. Seth knew not why.
For if the children of Israel were supposed to multiply,
Why must any of her children die?
So he asked the Lord,
And the Lord said:

“Man means nothing. He means less to me
than the lowliest cactus flower
or the humblest yucca tree.
He chases ’round this desert
’cause he thinks that’s where I’ll be.
That’s why I love mankind.

“I recoil in horror from the foulness of thee,
from the squalor and the filth and the misery.
How we laugh up here in heaven at the prayers you offer me.
That’s why I love mankind.”

The Christians and the Jews were having a jamboree;
The Buddhists and the Hindus joined on satellite TV.
They picked their four greatest priests
And they began to speak.
They said, “Lord, the plague is on the world.
Lord, no man is free.
The temples that we built to you
Have tumbled into the sea.
Lord, if you won’t take care of us,
Won’t you please please let us be?”

And the Lord said…
And the Lord said:

“I burn down your cities–how blind you must be.
I take from you your children and you say ‘How blessed are we.’
You must all be crazy to put your faith in me.
That’s why I love mankind.
You really need me.
That’s why I love mankind.”