Jesusland...What does it mean to you?

     I've been listening to a lot of Ben Folds lately, leading up to our meet and greet concert in August. I've taken it upon myself to start listening closer to lyrics and less to the song as a whole. I was driving around today and listening to one of BF's older albums, "Songs for Silverman" (which coincidentally has the song that our daughter was named after). I heard the song Jesusland, and the longer I listened to it, the more it made sense. I must have listened to it 4-5 times before making my own interpretation of the lyrics.  When I parked at the grocery store, I looked up the songs actual meaning on one of my favorite websites only to discover I wasn't far off.
      My family and friends (and friends family) may be reading this and thinking "my lord, this kid is off the beaten path." That may be true, but like any other self proclaimed religion, I have my own beliefs in what I believe "God" means. Now, does that mean I am not christian? Maybe to some people this is how it seems, but I assure you, my family is very spiritual. My children will be raised exactly as I was....Learn and Know the bible. However, when my children get old enough to start asking questions, and make sound decisions, it will be their decision which religious path they choose, and I support them 100%.
With all of that out of the way, I will get back to my original point. I apologize for the ramblings, but there may be some people that need to understand my point of view. Jesusland is about the mass commercialization of Religion (in whatever form it takes for you). It illustrates Jesus walking through America. What would he think? How would he feel? "You" in the song represents Jesus, I believe, and it really hits home once you think about the lyrics. Not everyone is guilty of commercialization, but I think that any person would agree on at least some points that the song makes. Without further rambling, I present to you, Jesusland by Ben Folds. I will warn you, the first 5 seconds are hard to listen too....Nobody likes a clashing harmony...


Take a walk
out the gate you go and never stop
past all the stores and wig shops
quarter in a cup for every block
and watch the buildings grow
smaller as you go

Down the tracks
beautiful McMansions on a hill
that overlook a highway
with riverboat casinos and you still
have yet to see a soul

Jesusland
Jesusland

Town to town
broadcast to each house, they drop your name
but no one knows your face
Billboards quoting things you'd never say
you hang your head and pray

for Jesusland
Jesusland

Miles and miles
and the sun goin' down
Pulses glow
from their homes
You're not alone
Lights come on
as you lay your weary head on their lawn

Parking lots
cracked and growing grass you see it all
from offices to farms
crosses flying high above the malls
A longer walk

through Jesusland
Jesusland