Where's Bob Dylan when you need him? So I thought: let's follow his example
and write a couple of songs about the issue of same-sex blessings
in the Anglican church of Canada - or any other liberal church.

When God Says No Here's to the Leaders


When God Says No
by Tony Copple


     Am   Em  Am
When God says no
Dm 		  Am
Truth will never change.
     Am   Em  Am
When God says no
G#dim             C                       
Wrong gets out of range.
Gm    		     F
You can’t ignore the prophets and law
     Am  E    Am
When God says no.


     Am   Em  Am
When God says no
Dm 	        Am
Man with man is wrong.
     Am   Em  Am
When God says no
G#dim             C                       
Women, same wrong song.
Gm    		                      
Family unit;
F 
Same sex will ruin it.     
     Am   E   Am
When God says no.


     Am   Em  Am
When God says no
Dm 		Am
Fashion ignores Him.
     Am   Em  Am
When God says no
G#dim                C                       
The faithful implore Him.
Gm    		                      
Leaders must stand;
   F 
At God’s right hand     
     Am   E   Am
When God says no.


     Am   Em  Am
When God says no
Dm 		 Am
Don’t change the rules.
     Am   Em  Am
When God says no
G#dim            C                       
The devil makes fools.
Gm    		                      
Bishops who lead us
   F 
to sin and destruction     
     Am
will answer to Him; 
     Esus
will answer to Him.     
     Am   E   Am
When God says no.


Words and music:  Tony Copple
June 1, 2004

------------------------------------------------------

Here's to the Leaders
by Tony Copple, after Phil Ochs
A generation ago Phil Ochs was wrote powerful and eloquent songs that drew attention to flaws in many unsavoury elements of U.S. society. Had he lived longer he might have written along the following lines about our dilemma. The song - and particularly the third verse - borrows generously from Here's to the Sate of Mississippi. It seems to me that leaders should not merely take us where the majority (or a vocal minority) wants to go, but where we should be going. The masses are a poor yardstick of truth - watch TV for 30 minutes to confirm this.
In which direction should we be going? God never changes. Read His Book.

D              Bm         A 	      
Here's to the leaders of Anglicans in Canada,
       D 	     Bm                C              A
Whose guidelines for wisdom come from polsters in the press,
     D  	Bm                   C                   A 	
Who lead from behind to where their flock thinks may be best
       D           Bm                 C              A
Whose influence is activists who are seeking some redress
      D         Bm         C             A
from social negativity for being gay and les. 
     D             Bm           G           D
Well here's to the Faith you're part of the heart of
D                Bm           A           D
Go and find yourself another synod to be part of.


Here's to the leaders of Anglicans in Canada,
Who once showed their wisdom by voting women in,
but this is something different that will split communion;
Who in blessing the sinner do not think they bless the sin,
but that larger congregations are a prize that they can win.
Well here's to the Faith you're part of the heart of
Go and find yourself another Synod to be part of.


Here's to the leaders of Anglicans in Canada,
Where the cross once made with silver, now is caked with dust,
and the Sunday morning worshippers pander to their lust.
Oh the fallen face of Jesus is choking in the dust,
and heaven only knows in which God they can trust.
Well here's to the Faith you're part of the heart of
Go and find yourself another Synod to be part of.

------------------------------------------------------

One man one woman - by David MacDonald
Written in response to gay marriage legislation.

------------------------------------------------------

Sent to us by Ron Patterson, formerly from St Aidan’s Winnipeg

There's a new hymn for Anglican’s, to be sung to the tune Aurelia (The Church's One Foundation"):

The Anglican Communion
Was mightily distressed
When bishops of ECUSA
Their heresies expressed,
And in Convention showed not
Repentance or regret,
But chose to walk their own path,
Firm in their own ways set.

Political correctness
And chic diversity --
These are our church’s hallmarks,
And quite our cup of tea.
We follow where the winds blow,
We are the church of NOW.
We’re new Episcopalians
And trendier than thou.

“To God alone be glory” –
This used to be our song.
With Kathryn Jefferts Schori
It likely won’t be long
Before we change our story
And sing another tune –
Not Father, Son and Spirit,
But Mother, Child and Womb.

Our church has no foundation
And Christ is not her Lord.
She is our new creation
By our own mighty word.
The Bible’s too oppressive,
And morals leave us bored.
Who then is our salvation?
It’s our own selves – adored.

Annonymous

Same-sex Blessings
Phil Ochs