“People, Look East (except the priest)!”

Ad-Orientem-Cartoon-Meme-640x578Our Official Parodohymnodist, Fr. Tim Ferguson, has come through with a veritable scitament, a new version of an Advent hymn which most of you will recognize.

To the hymn: People Look East

1. People, look east except the priest,
The reform has now been ceased,
Turn from the Lord, and face each other
Smile at your sister and your brother
People look east and priest look west,
Modern liturgy works best.

2. Liturgists smile, the church is bare,
No statues or signs of faith there,
Give up your hopes of Latin Masses,
Toss out the chalices bring back the glasses
People look east and priest look west,
Felt and burlap help us pray best!

3. Birds in the air sing out their tune,
While our praise band starts to croon,
Fire the org’nist he was mean, he
preferred Guido to Piero Marini,
People look east and priest face west,
Paste on face smiles and don’t be depressed.

4. Bishops keep watch, young priests have come
Who don’t think tradition is dumb,
They like both forms know their Canons
They thrilled to see Benedict in a fanon,
People look east and priest face west,
It isn’t quite prayer, it’s a staring contest

5. New fashions fade against the old,
Clay and burlap can’t out match gold,
Though winter seems so dark and long,
This age is passing like this song,
People face east, soon priests will too,
‘cause it’s beautiful, good, and true.

Turn Ad Orientem Again

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About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
This entry was posted in ¡Hagan lío!, HONORED GUESTS, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Parody Songs and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

14 Comments

  1. juergensen says:

    Where can I buy that “Holy Mass” mug patterned after the Trump/Pence campaign sign?

    [Click the image!]

  2. iPadre says:

    I thought we would hear Zuhlio sing this one!?!?

  3. wanda says:

    Please Zuhlio. pretty-please?

  4. ajf1984 says:

    Father Z, ever since you posted that pic of the “People Look East” score with “except the priest” penciled in, I’ve been trying to come up with alternate lyrics. Kudos to Fr. Ferguson for doing it so well–and saving me the trouble!

    I think my favorite line is “It isn’t quite prayer, it’s a staring contest.”

    Pax et bonum.

  5. Vincent. says:

    If I didn’t shut down my social media for Advent I would share this far and wide and on every parish page I could.

  6. teechrlady says:

    So, so good!

  7. juergensen says:

    “Where can I buy that ‘Holy Mass’ mug patterned after the Trump/Pence campaign sign?

    [Click the image!]”

    The mug image is not hyperlinked … but I found the mug through one of your other links! Thanks!

  8. Kathleen10 says:

    …snort!
    “Fire the org’nist he was mean, he preferred Guido to Piero Marini…that’s a good one…

  9. Venerator Sti Lot says:

    Swingeingly jolly!

    (Flash mobs to follow?)

  10. KatieL56 says:

    Hysterical! I have quite a name as a parodist myself to friends and foes (the name of course differs depending on who’s speaking) but I bow to the master. That was superb. Let me know if he ever needs an accompanist –I’ll be there!

  11. James in Perth says:

    Oh my! I love it!

  12. Venerator Sti Lot says:

    The original was first published in 1928, Eleanor Farjeon became a Catholic (so I have read) in 1951: a lot happened liturgically in the last 15 years of her life, and she had a lot of humor – I can imagine she too would have enjoyed this!

  13. WYMiriam says:

    Ha, ha! Much better than my feeble effort, which produced only one verse:

    “People look east, except the priest;
    he’s the one we need the least.
    Make this church bare as you are able;
    banish the altar and bring in a table.
    People look east and sing today:
    we’ll do things our very own way.”

  14. Semper Gumby says:

    Venerator: Speaking of jolly flash mobs, you might be interested in this YouTube video: “Christmas Food Court Flash Mob: Hallelujah Chorus.” Chow time at the mall turned into something remarkable.

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