If I Was A Priest, a Bruce Springsteen lyrical analysis from his new album Letter To You
I believe "If I Was A Priest" is about questioning the religious rules that we have been taught and following your heart instead.
There's a light on yonder mountain and it's calling me to shine
There's a girl over by the water fountain and she's asking to be mine
And Jesus is standing in the doorway in a buckskin jacket, boots and spurs so fine
He says, "We need you son tonight up in Dodge City
'Cause there's just too many outlaws trying to work the same line"
Well things ain't been the same in heaven since big bad Bobby came to town
He's been known to down eleven, then ask for another round
Me I've got scabs on my knees from kneeling way too long
It's about time I played the man, took a stand where I belong
Bobby drinks too much (which is a vice! and too much alcohol can cause sin!) and is described as being "bad." But the key thing to note is that Bobby makes it to heaven! Meanwhile, Bruce has been super devoted to his religion, getting scabs on his knees from praying. He is doing so much but will probably make it to the same place as Bobby - heaven! This makes Bruce think that he doesn't want religion to constrict him. He wants to live the life he dreams of.
Well there's a light on yonder mountain and it's calling me to shine
There's a girl over by the water fountain 'cause she's asking to be mine
Jesus is standing in the doorway, six gun drawn and ready to fan
Said, "We need you tonight son up in Dodge City"
Told him I was already overdue for Cheyenne
In this verse, Jesus tells him to continue following his religious rules (go to Dodge City), but Bruce finally tells him, he actually needs to follow his dreams instead (go to Cheyenne...a city in Wyoming...but also a woman's name?).
There's still too many bad boys trying to work the same line