Rock Bottom Cathedral, where the suffering go.
Rock Bottom Cathedral, what brought you so low?
We don’t spend no time setting you right.
We welcome your lost soul in from the night.

Rock Bottom Cathedral, God’s own lost and found.
If you weren’t lost before, well you surely are now.
Nobody is looking, here’s where you’ll stay.
New misfits and losers are welcomed each day.

Rock Bottom Cathedral, Jesus sits in the back.
For laughter or weeping, whatever you lack.
He won’t look down on you, order that round.
Says he can’t abide the righteous in town.

Rock Bottom Cathedral, the incense is smoke.
You’ll tithe your last dollar, til you’re flat out broke.
No judgment day, no lock on the door.
We ain’t talking about money when we say you’re poor.

Rock Bottom Cathedral, there’s bar stools not pews.
Rock Bottom Cathedral, there’s no monthly dues.
You’ve already sacrificed all to be here.
Repent now and leave, or just order a beer.

Rock Bottom Cathedral, long may you stand.
To hear the confessions of the lowest of man.
To give one last place where they can be free.
Fore they die here amongst us or learn how to see.

You can find God here, some people do.
But sinking or swimming is left up to you.
Godspeed to you brother, wherever you’re bound.
Rock Bottom Cathedral, God’s own lost and found.

*****

Note on Photo: The Horseshoe Lounge in Austin, TX is one of the best dive bars in the history of the world. I just like the photo and do not imply any connection between it and this song/poem other than it is the perfect imaginary setting. I took the photo in 2012, long before these words came to me.