>I think I have heard the James version before. However, I
>didn't mean that I literally had heard a song like this before
>- rather the idea presented.

yeah, i know. it did get me to thinking about it though so i searched and saw a prominent cover version that i didn't know about, so i thought i'd ask.


>I mean, I know all ideas and
>songs can't be unique, but I didn't feel what he had to say
>was all that remarkable.

fair enough, and i wouldn't use the word remarkable myself, as these are questions we all have to or at least should ask ourselves about our faith and beliefs, but i really like the lyrics and the whole aura of the song.


>I had to YouTube this b/c I'd never heard it before.

what?! nah, sometimes i have to remind myself how idiosyncratic the rock station i grew up listening to (WHFS) was.


>Interestingly, this song sounds more (to me) like they are
>portraying a character rather than themselves. (Unlike the
>Newman song which comes across fairly sincere.) I don't know
>much about XTC, but the song comes off a little theatrical, so
>I can't buy that they truly believe this. But they are still
>willing to present the idea.

despite it being one of my favorite songs ever, i really don't know much about the inspiration or motivations behind the writing of the song, so your guess is as good as mine.