Saturday, October 15, 2005

Who are you going to be for Reformation Day? Hmmmm?

It's that time of year again! October's finest holiday is fast approaching... that's right, kiddies, Reformation Day. Time to dress up as your favorite protestant leader and eat all that candy that's conveniently on sale for the other holiday. What's that you say? You don't know what to do to celebrate this festal day? You don't know who to dress up as? You don't know what to serve at your Reformation Day dinner? Well, the dears at Old Lutheran have your back. With everything from Marty and Katy Luther bobble heads (boxes double as jello molds!) to ideas for the "Mightest Fortress" block building contest, these folks know how to throw a great party! And in case you are inclined to entertain your guests musically, they have provided the lyrics for that always popular rollicking old favorite, the Reformation Polka.

[Sung to the tune of "Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious"]

When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon 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, let's 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 Tetzel, in your face!" Oh...

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

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:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting "George" as 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:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

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 our dance! Oh...

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









6 comments:

Erika said...

LOL, I love it!! I'm gonna sing this song at skool...i know all the PCHS ppl'll like it 2!! Also, wrt ur post below...my dear Janna, you are FAAAAAAAAAR to cynical!! A Walk to Remember is a great movie, if not exceedingly depressing. I think we must needs find Janna a guy!! And it'll hafta be one who's like Shane West in the movie...there's GOT to be some out there!!

Janna said...

Gracie - you poor dear. :-)

EriKa - somehow I knew you would be defending A Schmalk to Remember.

steveandjanna said...

I thought we were doing Princess Bride on the alleged reformation day. In any event, I would argue a celebration to replace or "Christianize" a pagan celebration is unscriptural. Not that we should sit in our homes and hide all day, we should live our lives as we nomally do on such occasions.

John Jurries said...

Personally, I plan on dressing up as Brother Tetzel for Reformation Day.

NPE said...

Can you have Mark set up a midi file of you and the family singing the Reformation Polka!

Janna said...

Hahaha - that would be funny, Nate, but no. Just no. Never, in fact. Absolutely not. Negatory.