More Christian sea shanties, please!
In the vein of Brian Sauvé’s “The Voyage of St. Brendan,” or Christ Church’s “To the Word” shanties (here and here), or maybe even (though it’s not a sea shanty) Sacred Harp’s “Glory Hallelujah,” here’s my version of Psalm 2, set to the tune of “Wellerman.”
I don’t have a musical bone in my body, though, so if anyone wants to record the song, please do!
If you want to hear it as you read or sing along, here’s an excellent version of “Wellerman”:
Christ is King (Psalm 2)
Wellerman
The kings of the earth have set themselves
And rulers join in dark cartels
Against the Lord they would rebel
They’ve turned from Christ the King (huh)
CHORUS
Why do the nations rage,
And all the peoples plot in vain?
One day, every tongue will praise
And every knee will bow
“Let us burst their bonds,” they say
“And let us cast their cords away”
The lightest yoke they try to break
Denying Christ is King (huh)
[chorus]
He who sits in the heavens laughs
He mocks them as the blowing chaff
He terrifies them in his wrath
By saying “Christ is King” (huh)
[chorus]
I will tell of the decree
“You are my Son,” he said to me
“Today I have begotten thee
In Zion is my King” (huh)
[chorus]
“Ask of me, and I will make
All nations yours alone to take
The ends of the earth you shall retain
And rule them as their King” (huh)
[chorus]
He’ll break them with an iron rod
The winepress of his wrath be trod
He’ll dash them like a broken pot
Rejoice, for Christ is King (huh)
[chorus]
Now, therefore, O kings, be wise
You rulers of the earth, advised
To serve the Lord with fear-filled eyes
Beware, for Christ is King (huh)
[chorus]
Kiss the son, lest he be mad,
His anger’s swift, for your way is bad
In him are grace and refuge had
Rejoice, for Christ is King (huh)
–––––
©2024 Josh Bishop
Free to use, print, record, distribute, or republish with attribution.
Josh Bishop Writes 