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The Reformation Day Polka
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, 'cause 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!
An explanation of the verses for those of you who might not be familiar with Luther:
ReplyDeleteVerse 1:
Martin Luther was raised in a Catholic family and began his formal education in law, but became an Augustinian monk after getting caught in a terrible thunderstorm. He made a vow to St. Anne (Jesus'grandmother) that he would dedicate his life to God if she saved him from the storm.
Verse 2:
Luther went on to attain a Doctorate in Theology at the new University of Wittenberg in Saxony. He was still a dedicated Catholic, but was upset with some of the abuses within the church as were many humanists within the Roman Catholic Church. A Dominican monk named John Tetzel was selling "indulgences" in a neighbouring town in order to raise money for the construction of St. Peter's basilica in Rome. Tetzel claimed that if you bought an "indulgence" the merit of the Saints would be credited to your own account so that you, or a relative would spend less time in purgatory. He made up a jingle to teach this theology: "when a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs". Luther strongly objected to this view of indulgences since Tetzel was not emphasizing the importance of true contrition or sorrow for sin. The 95 Theses were not meant to start a revolution, but was simply an invitation from a theology professor to other academics to debate and discuss the issue of indulgences.
Verse 3:
To make a long story short, Luther was excommunicated by the Pope for his teaching on indulgences (excommunication was issued as a "Papal Bull"). Luther's theology became more radical over the next few years as he rejected the sacramental system of the Roman Catholic Church and challenged the authority of the Pope. Luther was brought to trial at the "Diet of Worms" and was sentenced as a heretic and an enemy of the Church. Although Luther was not popular with the Roman Catholic magesterium, his writings were widely read and circulated in Germany among the common people.
Verse 4:
Prince Frederick "the Wise" of Saxony protected Luther from the Emperor and the edict by hiding him in a castle. While in the castle, Luther translated the Bible from its original languages into German.
Verse 5:
Although the edict against Luther was never revoked, he enjoyed the protection of the German princes and therefore lived out his life in safety. Later these Princes wrote up a Confession of Faith that is still used by the Lutheran Church and was included in their "Book of Concord". Ironically, Luther, the one time monk ended up marrying a former nun named Katherine von Bora.
I'm impressed John. You should have thrown the explanatory notes in the post. I wouldn't have seen them if I hadn't decide to comment on how good it is.
ReplyDeleteWell done!