She was heavy with child, 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 when 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 nervous, they'd take him away 
Put him on trial, and twist his words just to make make him pay 
He might be humble, the gentlest around 
But 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 

I guess someday maybe Rome will fall 
Peace could live inside Jerusalem's walls 
Men will succeed at lots of things they try 
Grow food in the desert, even learn how to fly 
In two thousand years they'll look back on our day 
And study about us, 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, a few will walk straight 
But most of us will fall to the fear and hate 

I guess at the time it didn't seem so odd 
But that was Joseph and Mary, the mother of God 
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, 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 when they turn you away