Stop Press: Feigned outrage ahead!
The Victorian Government has overwhelmingly decided that hymns cannot be sung any longer in public schools in that state. And that is indeed shocking, is it not?. You can read the article here, which also says that the Bible – and indeed ALL religious texts – are banned from classroom time.
Fairness in Religion in Schools head, Lara Woods, welcomed the changes, but said that she was still concerned that proselytising would continue during lunch time meetings.
No hymns. Not a skerrick of a hymn. Not a bridge, not a verse, chorus, verse, chorus (and six more of those for some). Thankfully Victorian schools have been thrown a sop and are allowed to sing sweet, innocuous, tinsel-laden Christmas carols.
I mean, what sort of trade off is that?
We’re not gonna be able to sing stirring stuff such as:
“I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses”
But will, rather, have to be content with ho-ho-hum Chrissy classics such as:
“Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.”
And away with staples such as:
“Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me…waaaaaay beyond the bloooo!”
As well as:
“Morning has broken, like the first morning, blackbird has, etc, etc”
Not to mention:
“Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings..”
No, instead we will have to content ourselves with such drivel as:
“He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove, the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and…dum dum dum dum dum…”
Oh er, sorry, got carried away with some light poppy pap there for a moment. Light poppy pap such as:
“Long lay the world, in sin and darkness pining, till he appeared and the soul felt its worth..”
It’s all quite tragic really. Quite tragic.
Although on the other hand, it kinda feels like another spiritual ancestor of Herod just got the wool pulled over her eyes by yet another bunch of Wise Men.
Cos that’s the way God rolls.
Glooooooooooooooooo-ri-a… in excelsios Deo!
Nicely said! Joy to the world (and school) the Lord hath come!