JOYFULLY SUBVERSIVE [Sat, 8-22-20]

 

CHRIST IN WINTER: Reflections on Faith & Life for the Years of Winter

I was surprised that no worship leaders had asked permission to use my song, “When All the Saints Are Gathered on the Lawn,” which I posted here on R, 8-20-20, until I realized that it would be difficult to sing a line like “Pinko libs and hardshell fundies will dance together in their undies” at home, especially since folks have to make up their own tune. Thus, I thought I’d provide an alternative, since everyone knows the tune to R. Kelso Carter’s “Standing on the Promises.” After all, we hope there will be a bit more time before all the saints are gathered on the lawn, so now is the time to subvert the culture of greed and selfishness and incivility…

JOYFULLY SUBVERSIVE

Joyfully subversive as we laugh and sing                   [Judges 5:21.]

To the work of God divine our gifts we bring            [John 9:4.]

Carried to the righteous fray upon God’s wing          [Isaiah 40:31.]

Joyfully subverting as we go.                                                 [Romans 12:2.]

CHORUS

Joyful! Subversive!

Let us join our voices in God’s loving song               [I John 4:8.]

Subversive! Joyful!

Standing firm against injustice we are strong            [I Cors. 16:13.]

VERSE 2

Subverting hate and prejudice with love divine         [Romans 8:38-39.]

Offering to each hopeful mouth the bread and wine [Luke 22:19.]

With god’s children everywhere we shall dine          [Mark 2:16.]

Joyfully subverting as we go                                      [Romans 12:2.]

CHORUS

Joyful! Subversive!

Let us join our voices in God’s loving song               [I John 4:8.]

Subversive! Joyful!

Standing firm against injustice we are strong            [I Cors. 16:13.]

VERSE 3

Joyfully subversive we stand with the poor               [Matthew 25:31-46.]

And beat our fists against oppression’s heavy door   [Galatians 3:1.]

We’ll sing and work until injustice is no more          [Isaiah 11:6. Amos 5:24.]

Joyfully subverting as we go                                      [Romans 12:1.]

CHORUS

Joyful! Subversive!

Let us join our voices in God’s loving song               [I John 4:8.]

Subversive! Joyful!

Standing firm against injustice we are strong            [I Cors. 16:13.]

VERSE 4

When they draw a circle tight to hide within             [Galatians 3:23.]

When they say we can’t come in because we’re sin [Galatians 3:28-29.]

We shall draw a circle that will take them in             [Acts 10:28.]

Joyfully subverting as we go                                      [Romans 12:1.]

CHORUS

Joyful! Subversive!

Let us join our voices in God’s loving song               [I John 4:8.]

Subversive! Joyful!

Standing firm against injustice we are strong            [I Cors. 16:13.]

VERSE 5

When our days of marching here will be no more     [Matthew 25:23.]

We’ll keep singing as we land on heaven’s shore.     [Luke 6:20.]

While those we served and loved shall open up the door            [Revelation 21:25.]

Joyfully subverting as we go.                                     [Romans 12:1.]

CHORUS

Joyful! Subversive!

Let us join our voices in God’s loving song               [I John 4:8.]

Subversive! Joyful!

Standing firm against injustice we are strong            [I Cors. 16:13.]

John Robert McFarland