OK, OK. I’m no poet. But I couldn’t resist having a go at Dave Congdon’s competition. As the first verse sggests, I’ve borrowed from Wesleyan hymnody very heavily, and pretty much plagiarized the last verse. Charles Wesley in’t likely to sue me. (I suspect that this is another post I’m going to regret. :))
Make of me no Barthian
I’d rather be a Wesleyan.
Not for me the Church Dogmatics
Theology should be in lyrics.
Grant to me a thousand tongues
That I may sing thy praise.
Fill me with thy love divine
And so perfection gain.
Empty me of feeble self
And free me from all sin.
Let my spirit cling to thee
And Christ be all in all to me.
O God, who moved the world to save,
Give me a trumpet voice
Speak through me, that all may know
And heav’n anticipate below!
“Come sinners to the gospel feast”
Will be my constant cry
“Come in, this moment, at his call
And live for him, who died for all”.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Kim 05.31.07 at 9:01 am
Methinks the Methodist has the Muse! And you’re even half right that “Theology should be in lyrics” - the other half is epic - and that’s the Church Dogmatics! But if prose is truly verboten, I presume you’ll sell me your copy of Charles’ brother’s sermons cheap?
Anyway, good luck in the competition. I’m sure you’ll be in with a shout. Next stop: the Eisteddford!
Richard 05.31.07 at 12:10 pm
You’re too kind!
Of course, prose is not really verboten. That’s poetic licence, but if you really want a copy of the 44 Sermons, I’ll be glad to supply one!
D. W. Congdon 05.31.07 at 3:21 pm
I’ll post it in the next couple days. I have a couple other poems waiting in line. Thanks for the entry, Richard! I’m still waiting for yours, Kim.
Eugene McKinnon 06.01.07 at 4:52 pm
Next year’s Eurovision Song of the Year comes from Wales. From Ireland we had Father Ted and Father Dougal singing I Love My Horse, next year Rev. Richard Hall singing Make Me No Barthian.
Eugene
Michael Westmoreland-White 06.04.07 at 1:13 am
I long ago ceased to be Methodist, but I never stopped loving Charles Wesley’s hymns. Thanks for this!