If you were born before 1965 or sing in a choir then these words may be very familiar to you. They form the core of many a choral work. But did you know that a similar set of words is used frequently but for a far different, yet incoherent, purpose? First of all, let me turn you to what the Bible says: There is no god, so says the fool in his heart.
Call Coco picky if you will but the COP26 globe which has been chosen by many to illustrate the opening of the summit looks as if someone has tried to wrap Mercator’s projection of the globe back onto a globe. This is truly flat earth thinking, however not quite so bad as the hexagonal football of British road sign infamy. Coming back to the COP26 globe, Coco does wonder how the young man at the front managed to get his head in front of the globe which is being held by a hand in front of him, and what is on the other side of the globe. Is the Pacific really that big?
In the eyes of the ARC and others It is impossible to get it right. If you choose the image of a white man you can be accused of racial bias, if you choose the image of a black man you can be accused of racial bias. If you choose the image of an oriental you can be accused of bias even if the image is of the person you are actually representing. What are we to choose when we want to depict a man doing something? Coco was going to suggest that we use a monkey instead, but then, if the experience of Hartlepool is anything to go by, we shall only end up annoying the French even more than they are already. I suppose someone will consider that to be racist too. Hey-ho, Boney was a warrye, way, aye, yah. A warrye and terrye, John France, wah!
There was a school class which comprised only fifteen boys – it was a privileged area and the boys, unable to cope with competition from hard working girls, had been segregated – one of whom had black skin and two had brown, the rest all had white, perhaps you could say albino, but that may be misunderstood. The class was therefore racially diverse.
Yesterday as the sun went down Only one thing was in my crown; Under the glow of the darkening cloud In my heart a thought cried aloud: Summer is going, with all its host, Surrendering to autumn and winter’s frost Hope fled away, gone without reason Early, to feel the loss of the season. Then, another came into view, Ready and willing her life to renew, Under the glow of the pinkening cloud Even she who is you, of whom be proud.
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King? Who will be his helpers, other lives to bring? Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe? Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for him will go? By thy call of mercy, by thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side: Saviour, we are thine!
Not for weight of glory, nor for crown and palm, Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm; But for love that claimeth lives for whom he died: He whom Jesus saveth marches on his side. By thy love constraining, by thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side: Saviour, we are thine!
Jesus, thou hast bought us, not with gold or gem, But with thine own lifeblood, for thy diadem; With thy blessing filling each who comes to thee, Thou hast made us willing, thou hast made us free. By thy great redemption, by thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side: Saviour, we are thine!
Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe, But the King’s own army none can overthrow; ‘Round his standard ranging, vict’ry is secure, For his truth unchanging makes the triumph sure. Joyfully enlisting, by thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side: Saviour, we are thine!
Chosen to be soldiers, in an alien land, Chosen, called, and faithful, for our Captain’s band; In the service royal, let us not grow cold, Let us be right loyal, noble, true and bold. Master, thou wilt keep us, by thy grace divine, Always on the Lord’s side: Saviour, always thine!
Who is on the Lord’s side is usually sung to at least two different tunes, but obviously not at the same time in the same place that would be anti-fermionic not to say cacophonous:
These words of Mavis Ford fit quite nicely onto Armageddon and Rachie, do you not agree?
You are the King of glory You are the Prince of Peace You are the Lord of heaven and earth You’re the Son of righteousness Angels bow down before you Worship and adore, for You have the words of eternal life You are Jesus Christ the Lord
Hosanna to the son of David Hosanna to the King of kings Glory in the highest heaven for Jesus the Messiah reigns