Song of the Pelagian Heresy
|
Verse 1
Pelagius lived in Kardanoel And taught a doctrine there. How whether you went to Heaven or Hell, It was your own affair. How, whether you found eternal joy Or sank for ever to burn, It had nothing to do with the Church, my boy, But was your own concern. Oh, he didn't believe in Adam and Eve, He put no faith therein! His doubts began With the Fall of Man, And he laug'd at Original Sin! With my row-ti-tow, tioodly ow, He laug'd at Original Sin! Verse 2
Whereat the Bishop of old Auxerre (Germanus was his name), He tore great handful out of his hair, And he called Pelagius Shame: And then with his stout Episcopal staff So thoroughly thwacked and banged The heretics all, both short and tall, They rather had been hanged. Oh, he thwacked them hard, And he banged them long. Upon each and all occasions, Till the bellowed in chorus, Loud and strong, Their orthodox persuasions! With my row-ti-tow, ti-oodly-ow, Their orthodox persua-a-a-sions! |
Verse 3
Now the Faith is old and the Devil is bold, Exceedingly bold indeed; And the masses of doubt that are floating about Would smother a mortal creed. But we that sit in a sturdy youth, And still can drink strong ale, Oh - let us put it away to infallible truth, Which always shall prevail! And thank the Lord For the temporal sword, And howling heretics too: And whatever good things Our Christendom brings, But especially barley brew! With my row-ti-tow, ti-oodly-ow, Especially barley brew! |
