The Jewels of the Madonna

Lyrics

Never let it be said that Oh, this is swill I'm glad you like it "Oh, you have a car now?" Yes, oh yes I do! Oh, fifty dollars worth of half dollars

God moves in mysterious ways Cast your bread upon the waters The lord will provide this thief This steak is straight from heaven

My body was numbed and my mind paralyzed with fear For a while I shined shoes downtown and sold the papers Suddenly from heaven, the jewels have appeared on the ground

Chronology

• God Bless the Red Krayola and All Who Sail With It

Interpretations

This song references the three-act opera of the same name “The Jewels of the Madonna” (I gioielli della Madonna) written by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari to an Italian libretto by Carlo Zangarini and Enrico Golisciani based on news stories of a true event. The song contains a handful of biblical references. The Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari’s opera contains controversial themes such as love between a brother and his adopted sister, implied criticism of the Catholic Church, and an on-stage orgy.

"God moves in mysterious ways" could be a play on words on the saying “God works in mysterious ways” or just be a reference to the 1773 Christian hymn “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”.

"Cast your bread upon the waters" is a quote from the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament.

Ecclesiastes 11 1:

“Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth.”

Covers

Artist	Year
Tom Watson	2000