ALTERNATIVE HYMNS

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways,

For most of us, when asked our mind,

Admit we still more pleasure find

In hymns of ancient days.

The simple lyrics, for a start,

Of many a modern song

Are far too trite to touch the heart,

Enshrine no poetry, no art,

And go on much too long.

O for a rest from jollity

And syncopated praise!

What happened to tranquillity?

The silence of eternity

Is hard to hear these days.

Send Thy deep hush, subduing all

Those happy claps that drown

The tender whisper of Thy call.

Triumphalism is not all,

For sometimes we feel down.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness

Till all our strummings cease.

Take from our souls the strain and stress

Of always having to be blessed.

Give us a bit of peace.

Breathe through the beats of praise guitar

Thy coolness and Thy balm.

Let drum be dumb, bring back the lyre,

Enough of earthquake, wind and fire

Let's hear it for some calm.