Lyrics Don't Be Surprised (Mary and Joseph on Christmas Eve) - Tim O’Brien

She was heavy with child and he had a hungry look
They were out on the road just waitin' to be took
And I wasn't much better, all I owned in a sack
But I had enough street smarts to watch my back

And he asked me if I knew a place they could go
To keep from the wind, away from the rain and the drivin' snow
He said I'm good with my hands, I can work my way
But I don't know a soul hear, there's not much I can pay

I just shook my head and all I could say was
Don't be surprised if they turn you away

I said your child will be born to a heartless place
If he tries to do good, they'll just spit in his face
He might heal the sick, make a lame man walk
Draw big crowds of people to hear his talk

But he'd make rich men so nervous they'd take him away
They put him on trial and twist his words
Just to make make him pay
He might be humble the gentlest around
That won't stop some men from puttin' him down

You see I don't have much faith in people these days
So don't be surprised if they turn him away

Well, I guess someday maybe Rome will fall
Peace could live inside Jerusalem's walls
And men could win in at lots of things they try
Grow food in the desert maybe even learn how to fly

In two thousand years they might look back on our day
And study about us, they'd probably wonder
How in the world we could live this way

But the more things change the more they stay the same
Men will never give up their hurtful games
A few will stand tall and a few will walk straight
But most of us will fall to the fear and hate

Well, I guess at the time it didn't seem so odd
But I was talking with Joseph and Mary, the mother of God
And I wouldn't change a word if I saw them today
And I wouldn't be surprised if they turned them away

He said I'm good with my hands and I can work my way
But I don't know a soul hear, there's not much I can pay
I just shook my head 'cause all I could say was
Don't be surprised if they turn you away