With a job and pension for young and old

from Billy Bragg and Wilco – Christ for President Lyrics on Rap Genius

Woody Guthrie, the original writer, wrote this after the Great Depression and war destroyed the economy of the United States. A true savior would end the desolation, bringing a real job and lifetime earnings to his people.

The line is very subtle satire: Guthrie was often quite anti-religion. Here, he makes Jesus act like a businessman, satisfying people’s material needs before the spiritual side.

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