From the recordings No Matter What Way and In Retrospect

Lyrics

No Matter What Way (3:47) - lyrics: Marsha Stevens, music: Chris Lobdell 
• I have met so many young people who think of religion only as cop out for not taking responsibility for ourselves or as an archaic set of rules imposed on us, and I guess I would agree. That is “religion”. But this is about Jesus. 
 
No matter what way this world defines us, nothin’ is stronger than this tie that binds us. 
What am I doing here? I’m not an unhappy queer. 
I thought I had made my peace, With rejection came release. 
But my heart is captive yet, To the one who paid my debt 
Had that supper - bread and wine, Jesus said, “The tab is mine.” 
 
No matter what way this world defines us, nothin’ is stronger than this tie that binds us. 
What got me to this place, longing for a friendly face, 
I had left this all behind, childhood myths put out of mind, 
But my soul has cavities from those who call my love disease, 
From my own hatreds and my fears, homophobic mutineers. 
 
So here I am on a Saturday night, not in a bar or a bed or a fight, 
But as I recall they used to remind me there’s no place where God cannot find me. 
 
No matter what way this world defines us, nothin’ is stronger than this tie that binds us. 
I want your song again, drop my guard and let you in, 
I am asking you inside to relight the flame that died, 
They can’t deny your presence here, righteous prayer and healing tear. 
Holy queers and godly gays, Lord your church must be amazed, 
 
So here we are such a motley crew, gay and straight and loving you, 
For no matter what way this world defines us, nothing is stronger than this tie this binds us. 
No matter what way this world defines us, nothin’ is stronger than this tie that binds us. 
No matter what way this world defines us, nothin’ is stronger than this tie that binds us. 
Backup vocals: Tim Searcy, John Stevens 
Copyright 1997 BALM Publishing