I was born in a pool they made my mother stand
And I spat on that surgeon and his trembling hand
When I felt the light I was worse than bored
I stole the doctor's scalpel and I slit the cord
I was a catholic boy
Redeemed through pain
Not through joy
I was two months early they put me under glass
I screamed and cursed their children when the nurses passed
Was convicted of theft when I slipped from the womb
They led me straight from my mother to a cell in the tombs
I was a catholic boy
Redeemed through pain not through joy
They starved me for weeks they thought they'd teach me fear
I fed on cellmates' dreams it gave me fine ideas
When they cut me loose the time had served me well
I made allies in heaven I made comrades in hell
I was a catholic child
The blood ran red the blood ran wild
I make angels dance and drop to their knees
When I enter a church the feet of statues bleed
I understand the fate of all my enemies
Just like christ in the garden of gethsemane
I was a catholic boy
Redeemed through pain not through joy
I watched the sweetest psalm stolen by the choir
I dreamed of martyrs' bones hanging from a wire
I make a contribution I get absolution
I make a resolution to purify my soul
I was a catholic boy
Redeemed through pain not through joy
They can't touch me now
I got every sacrament behind me I got baptism
I got communion I got penance
I've got confirmation
'cause I'm a catholic child
The blood ran red
The blood ran wild!
Now I'm a catholic man
I put my tongue to the rail whenever I can