I know. I’ve blogged about this one before. But it is definitely worth mentioning again. THE WENCHOSTER CATHEDRAL HYMN BOOK takes a good-natured pop at some of the church’s favourite hymns. How about Church of Alpha, to the tune “Dundee”
O Church of Alpha, by whose word,
House groups are filled with food.
To fill their hearts and minds with faith,
A tactic rather shrewd.
Perhaps the Australian classic What a mate we have in Jesus will “tickle your fancy”? Or maybe The church’s main foundation will be your thing.
My favourite is the delightfully camp I danced in the chancel
I danced in the chancel when the service began,
And I danced to the altar when the offert’ry was sung,
I waltzed to the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei,
And leaped up the nave crying, “Oooh I say!”
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
Dance in the pulpit and the sacristy,
I’ll lead you on, whenever you agree,
For I love to mince in the liturgy!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Kim 10.24.07 at 7:08 pm
Re. the first hymn, I still laugh at Andrew Brown’s comment in the Church Times several months ago that one thing the Alpha Course proves is that people will believe anything over a plate of pasta.
Paul Martin 10.24.07 at 7:16 pm
” I danced in the chancel” is real John Inman style manna. We could always do a duet of that at the Methodist bloggers camp. I think “What a mate” is my favourrite - you can just see Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne singing it.
Must go searching for more gems when time allows.
Mark 10.30.07 at 8:26 pm
Richard, I am still chuckling over the Aussie version of “What a Mate…” I love parodies (hence my fascination with Weird Al Yankovic) and hymn parodies can be especially funny. Thanks for sharing.
FYI, I am a cousin-in-law to Randy McRoberts. I followed a post from his blog to yours. I am sure we will chat again.
Richard 10.30.07 at 10:50 pm
Thanks for dropping by, Mark. You’re welcome anytime.