I recently purchased a song on
ITunes without knowing much about it simply because I had heard it a few times
on the radio and I was enamoured with the tune. I even added it to my playlist.
So you can imagine my surprise when the song came on and I realized that the
lyrics were dissing the Christian faith. The main refrain “Take me to church,
I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies” hit me like a punch to the
stomach and a bitter taste entered my mouth when I heard Hozier sing “I was
born sick, but I love it.”
Growing up in church, I learnt that
singing was more than just a ritual. It is a way that we can offer words of
praise and worship to our Lord. The bible instructs Christians to be “filled
with the spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Ephesians
5:18-19). God holds a person accountable to their words, so I found myself not
able to sing along to ‘Take Me To Church’ (which ironically tells the audience
to do anything but go to church).
I have never been more disappointed
in a song.
But I had a bright idea that came
from a memory of something I learnt in High school history about how in the
past people took Christian hymns and wrote bawdy, bar songs using the same
tune. I decided if they could do that, then I could do the same (but in reverse).
I decided for my peace of mind that the lyrics needed to be saved so that they
could no longer spew lies to everyone who listens. A song should attest to the
goodness of God and so I hope that the new lyrics I’ve written do that.
Take Me To Church
My Father is the ruler
He’s the author of the universe
Creates everything so diverse
We should’ve worshipped him sooner.
If we
ever kept quiet
Then
the stones would cry out
Every
Sunday is a fire
A
flood of power like a riot
We were
born in sin. We have to fight it.
My church offers us absolutes
It tells me, “Worship at the altar.”
The only heaven I’ll be sent to
Is the one that holds my Saviour
I was
born in sin
And I
hate it
Command
me to be well
Aaay.
Amen. Amen. Amen
[Chorus 2x:]
Take me to church
I'll worship like a star in the dark of the night
I’ll tell you my sins so you can set it all right
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life
If I’m a saint of the last days
My lover’s the bridegroom
To lose my life for His sake
He demands I follow His ways
Shine Your floodlight
It’s all in Your sight
Expose the deepest parts of my heart
To save me from those fiery darts
Of my foe, my accuser
And his lies and whispers
It looks enticing
It looks tempting
But it’s a net for our soul
[Chorus 2x:]
Take me to church
I'll worship like a star in the dark of the night
I'll tell you my sins so you can set it all right
Offer me my deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life
He is Master and King
The whole world will sing
There is no one greater in heaven or on earth
No
other name by which we all must be saved
In the madness and toil of that sad earthly day
Only then was there mercy
Only then was there grace
Ooh oh. Amen. Amen. Amen.
[Chorus 2x:]
Take me to church
I'll worship like a star in the dark of the night
I'll tell you my sins so you can set it all right
Offer me my deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life
