Haven't Got a Prayer is a song from the Broadway adaptation of Sister Act.
It was added to the production when it moved to Broadway, appearing in Act 2. Mother Superior is in a spiritual crisis when Deloris/Mary Clarence bring the convent and church notoriety with the choir even if it goes against everything she believes in. She wonders if her prayers are being answered and if Deloris will be her undoing.
Lyrics[]
St. Anthony got visions in the desert
St. Joan got voices in her head
St. Ignatius got beaten
Then partially eaten
Then hung by the feet until dead
St. Stephen got stoned
And St. Francis disowned-
All got tested and passed, as it were
And like it or not
Just look what I got
Her
And not just her...
I got Disco piped unto the cloister
I got glitter whenever you gaze
I got celibate nuns
Out there shaking their buns
Shrieking you and your son's holy praise
I got altar boys prancing in silver lame
Requiem mass with a strobe light display
Lord, if you're testing my faith, may I say-it's not fair
With everything I got
I haven't got a prayer
No, I got fog machines clouding the altar
And a mirror ball over the apse
I got half of a flock
Dressed to utterly shock
And the rest wearing moonboots or chaps
I got bikers and addicts and punks in the pews
Several transvestites, a handful of Jews
Lord, can you blame me at all if I choose to despair
I mean how could I not
I haven't got a prayer
I thought I'd get a glimpse of glory
I thought I'd get a taste of grace
I thought I'd get to bring your kingdom close to Earth
I thought I'd get to make this fallen world
A finer gentler place
A haven for the soul
More safe, more pure, more whole
But no...
I got priests ding moves like Travolta
A communion that's somehow risque
People flailing their limbs
Getting down to the hymns
While your sanctity dims day by day
And I don't know what to do except grieve
Don't know in what or in whom to believe
Don't really know if it's true that you're even still there...
So tell me are you there
Tell me do you care
Lord, if you're near
If I can get your ear
I've had it up to here
Please make her disappear!
Too late for that I fear
You've made your answer clear
I haven't got a prayer
And never had a prayer
I haven't got a prayer
