Innocence Lost

[Image: 'I Predict 1990' Front Cover]

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Lyrics

Ever hear the sound of a death row chorus?
Ever see the look of a wolf man prowling the steps?
In this deep freeze bunker they store us
Send away the priest, 'cause they're ain't nothing more to confess

She had the innocent eyes of a Renoir lady
Clutched her black book like an angel nursing a child
"It's a quarter to midnight here, baby
If you're gonna stare, do it while I'm sleeping"

But her eyes, they shone of an innocent way
In her eyes, we glimpsed of an innocent way
And in the days that followed we were under a spell
Why's the girl visiting a prison cell?

Innocence, innocence,
Innocence lost
All souls want it back
Some uncover the cost

Innocence, innocence lost
Break free, look at me
Is your innocence lost?

He'd seen things that a man don't mention
Sunk into his eyes was a weariness nothing could heal
"Don't tell me 'bout your cheap salvation
What's a man do when he don't feel nothing?"

But her eyes, they shone of an innocent way

She said, "Beyond these bars there are things you can't see"
He spoke slowly, "Ain't no pardon for me"

Innocence, innocence,
Innocence lost
All souls want it back
Some uncover the cost

Innocence, innocence lost

She said, "Look at me,
Don't you, don't you lose your innocence
Don't lose your innocence"

He said, "God's own angels couldn't give me hope
When you leave me hanging, just leave me enough rope"

But in her eyes he glimpsed of an innocent way

And on the eve of destruction they were shining the chair
Outside vigils, inside men were sobbing
As she kissed his forehead when the morning had dawned
He said softly to her, "I'll see you beyond"

Innocence, innocence,
Innocence lost
All souls want it back
Some uncover the cost

Innocence, innocence,
Innocence lost
Break free, look at me
Don't you, don't you lose your innocence

Recorded Appearances

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About The Song

From Clone Club News Flash Winter 1988, Winter 1988:

This conversion story was inspired by a friend of mine who, as a volunteer for a number of years, has obeyed God's command to visit those in prison. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matt. 25:40)

From Kansas City, MO, April 30th, 1988:

That song was inspired by a friend of mine who's been visiting prisoners in a Mexican jail cell for the last five years. Jesus commanded us to visit those in prison. He said, "when you've done it one of the least of these, my brothers, you've done it unto me."

From Now The Truth Can Be Told Liner Notes & Song-By-Song Essays, Now The Truth Can Be Told Insert Booklet, August 23rd, 1994:

I dreamt up the fictional details, but the core inspiration of this conversion story is a friend who for a number of years has been taking the love of God to those in prison as a volunteer for prison fellowship. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)