Cover art for Jesus Just Left Chicago by ZZ Top

Jesus Just Left Chicago

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Jul. 26, 19731 viewer11.9K views

Jesus Just Left Chicago Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Jesus just left Chicago
And he's bound for New Orleans
Well now, Jesus just left Chicago
And he's bound for New Orleans, yeah
Working from one end to the other
And all points in between

[Verse 2]
Took a jog through Mississippi
Well, muddy water turned to wine
Took a jog through Mississippi
Muddy water turned to wine, yeah
Then out to California
Through the forests and the pines
Ah, take me with you, Jesus

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
You might not see him in person
But he'll see you just the same
You might not see him in person
But he'll see you just the same, hey
You don't have to worry
Because taking care of business is his name
[Instrumental Outro]

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About

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Genius Annotation

Also alluded to as “Jesus Done Left Chicago,” this track follows on from “Waitin' for the Bus” on the Tres Hombres album – radio stations often play the songs together.

The Deep South is noted for its Christian roots, and in spite of the hostile reception rock ‘n’ roll received from the Bible Belt when it first reared its head, many contemporary musicians began their musical careers in or around the church.

The most famous white rock ‘n’ roller from the Deep South to combine the two was of course Elvis Presley, who recorded the odd religious song.

Although “Jesus Just Left Chicago” isn’t exactly a hymn, it does have a spiritual dimension, and is written more in the style of Black Christian music, adhering to a strict blues format. And Gibbons is actually known as Reverend Billy Gibbons.

According to Billy Gibbons, he got the idea for this song when he was a teenager. He was talking on the phone to a friend who was known as “R&B Jr,” who had lots of strange sayings in his lexicon.

One day Billy was talking to him on the phone when he blurted out, “Jesus Just Left Chicago!”

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

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