Leper Messiah (song)

Song

Tour Dates

Leper Messiah is a song by the thrash metal band Metallica, from their third album Master of Puppets. It is the 6th track on the album. Composed by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, this is one of the songs Dave Mustaine claimed he wrote riffs for, but there is not sufficient evidence for this statement other than Dave's interviews in the 1980s.

About

The theme of the song revolves around a false prophet controlling his followers, making a profit in the process.

Live

• "Leper Messiah" has been performed live 134 times as of January, 2025.
• ”Leper Messiah” was first performed live on August 20th, 1987, in London, England, at the 100 Club.
• It was last performed live on September 20th, 2024, in Mexico City, Mexico, during the 72 Seasons tour.

Lyrics

    Spineless from the start, sucked into the part
    Circus comes to town, you play the lead clown
    Please, please
    Spreading his disease, living by his story
    Knees, knees
    Falling to your knees, suffer for his glory
    You will
    
         Time for lust, time for lie
         Time to kiss your life goodbye
         Send me money, send me green
         Heaven you will meet
         Make a contribution 
         And you'll get the better seat
         Bow to Leper Messiah
    
    Marvel at his tricks, Need your Sunday fix
    Blind devotion came, Rotting your brain
    Chain, chain
    Join the endless chain, taken by his glamour
    Fame, fame
    Infection is the game, stinking drunk with power
    We see
    
         Time for lust, time for lie
         Time to kiss your life goodbye
         Send me money, send me green
         Heaven you will meet
         Make a contribution 
         And you'll get the better seat
         Bow to Leper Messiah
    
    Witchery, weakening
    Sees the sheep are gathering
    Set the trap, hypnotize
    Now you follow
    
         Time for lust, time for lie
         Time to kiss your life goodbye
         Send me money, send me green
         Heaven you will meet
         Make a contribution 
         And you'll get the better seat
    
         Lie