Inspired by the traditional Gospel and Blues Call and Response song “John the Revelator” ( Depeche Mode provide a far more cynical, and negative , view of John the Apostle.[Verse]

John the Revelator, put him in an elevator

Take him up to the highest high

Take him up to the top where the mountains stop

Let him tell his book of lies

John the Revelator, he's a smooth operator

It's time we cut him down to size

Take him by the hand and put him on the stand

Let us hear his alibis

[Pre-Chorus]

By claiming God as his holy right

He's stealing a god from the Israelites

Stealing a god from the Muslim, too

There is only one god through and through

[Chorus]

Seven lies, multiplied by seven

Multiplied by seven again

Seven angels with seven trumpets

Send them home on the morning train

Well, who's that shouting? John the Revelator!

All he ever gives us is pain

Well, who's that shouting? John the Revelator!

He should bow his head in shame

[Post-Chorus]

By and by

By and by

By and by

By and by

[Chorus]

Seven lies, multiplied by seven

Multiplied by seven again

Seven angels with seven trumpets

Send them home on the morning train

Well, who's that shouting? John the Revelator!

All he ever gives us is pain

Well, who's that shouting? John the Revelator!

He should bow his head in shame

[Post-Chorus]

By and by

By and by (John the Revelator!)

By and by (John the Revelator!)

By and by (John the Revelator!)