The Reformation Polka…

Posted by Andrew Denner on February 03, 2011 · 2 mins read

This last weekend Jess and I finely found a local church to find home, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Slater Iowa.  So in honor of that, and because I had to dig it up for pastor Heidi anyway here is the Reformation Polka. (handout version)</p>

The Reformation Polka

By Robert Gebel
[Sung to the tune of “Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious”]

When I was just ein junger Mann I studied cannon law;
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,
I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian!  Oh…

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, lets start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences and transubstantiation!

When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter’s profits soared,
I wrote a little notice for the All Saints’ Bull’tin board:
“You cannot purchase merits for we’re justified by grace!
Here’s 95 more reasons, Brother Tezel, in your face” Oh…

Chorus

They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror;
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
“Are these your books?  Do you recant?”  King Charles did demand,
“I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!”  Oh…

Chorus

Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting “George” as a hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin’s model if the languages you seek,
Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek!  Oh…

Chorus

Let’s raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,
And spread the word that ‘catholic’ is spelled with lower case;
The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance,
So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in this dance!  Oh…

Chorus