This song has a weird origin.
As regular readers of this blog know I have a thing about parody songs, Over the years I’ve done Joe Biden (We don’t talk about Biden) on the attempts to kill Trump (You don’t kill Trump so easy) and his campaign (What has the Donald ever done for us? ) , on the election of 2020 (Joe Biden’s Magic Ballots) the MSM Trump song ( I’m the MSM I am ) and two original songs ( Suck it up ) and a replacement for Happy Birthday (Hooray you’re not dead!) and a few more that died in the great system crashes that I’m not inclined to spend a day on the wayback machine searching for or that I’ve forgotten.
As you might guess I think of all kinds of songs like that which never see past me singing them while I work.
What you might not guess, but should, is that like all Christians I have sins to deal with and try to get ahead of. When I accidently discovered the existence of St. Myron of Crete and read about him suddenly the words to a song based on the song Taken Care of Business, one of the catchiest tunes there is, popped into my head which became the post I put up on the feast of St. Myron of Crete. The refrain has been my goto move when I’m tempted to sin and so far has proved quite effective since it’s the type of song that tends to earwig you and a song that is a prayer that earwigs you keeps your mind on Christ.
As a rule that bad news to the enemy.
Well a few weeks ago I was at work and for the first time since I had thought of it (long before the post you saw) the St. Myron song refrain was not coming into my head at all. For some reason that was being replaced by the early Elton John Song Philadelphia Freedom which, while excellent, is not highly effective in combating sin. I perceived this as an attempt to distract me from what had been an effective prayer.
At that moment suddenly for no reason at all the thought of St. Augustine of Hippo instantly came to mind along and with Elton’s song in my head I quickly came up with the first verse to a song singing it on the fly as I worked. To my shock when I got to the refrain I found myself completely in tears (while still doing my work) as I said the words. It hits me, reflecting back on that day that the refrain is basically a declaration of faith and hope and love in Christ. As the day went on refrains for multiple saints came to my head. You will see them posted below in the song making it much longer than Elton’s actual song, but it hits me that you could literally had verse after verse of and saint after saint to this song without any loss of effectiveness. In fact anyone who has found Christ while in the darkness or has been led to Christ by Mary could likely come up with their own verse to describe their own life. You’ll note I altered the refrain for a pair of saints due to their particular situation and there is no reason why you couldn’t do the same
So I post the song as is today, I reserve the right to add verses over the years as they come to me. Feel free to grab and and make a verse about yourself if Christ or his mother or a particular saint who has aided you.
[Verse 1] St. Augustine
Augustine was a rollin’ stone, ya know
He’d go out all night
Be drinkin, and find a lady to squeeze him tight
His mother Monica used to pray to the Lord
For his bad ways to change
Augustine answered saying: ‘Make me chaste, but not today’
[Chorus]
He lived that scene till, Jesus offered him freedom
From before he was born, He loved him all that time
Jesus offed freedom from all the sins before him
Gave him peace of mind his life never had
[Post-Chorus]
Jesus offered him freedom, shined on him, he loved him
Shined his light and his sins were soon left behind
Shined his light, He shined his light
He saw the light and he joined the fight!
Jesus he gave him freedom, He loved him
And you too
[Turnaround]
[Verse 2] St Dismas
Dismas was a man who choose to thieve (lived a life of crime)
Operated there within city lines (he choose the city)
He robbed people right in their home
(in the family home)
Broke in late at night (real easy)
‘Til Romans caught him, passed sentence
Sent to be crucified
[Chorus]
But on the cross there he encountered sweet Jesus
He confessed his sins and for his mercy cried
Jesus gave him freedom from all his earthly worries
Said “Today you will be with me in paradise”
[Post-Chorus]
Jesus he gave him freedom, shined on him, He loved him
Shined his light, even as there as he suffered beside
Shined his light, he shined his light
He saw the light, and he joined the fight!
Jesus he gave him freedom, He loved him
And you too
[Turnaround]
[Verse 3] St. Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was in a bad place.
She had been possessed
Abandoned, shunned by all the rest
Seven demons came made her their host
They dwelt inside, proclaiming:
“You’re ours until you die”
[Chorus]
She had no hope, then Jesus gave her her freedom
He called her name and declared “you are mine”
Jesus gave her freedom and the demons fled before him
Gave her peace of mind the darkness never had
[Post-Chorus]
Jesus gave to her freedom, shined on her, she loved him
Saw his light and she stayed by his cross as he died
Shined his light, He shined his light
So she was first of all to see him rise
Jesus gave to her freedom, He loved her
And you too
[Turnaround]
[Verse 4] St. Andrew Worthers
Andrew Worthers was a worthless priest
He abused his vows
Drank heavy and he slept around (had many kids out of wedlock)
He was suspended then the Sea Beggers came
They captured his town
Their leader sized all the priests around.
[Chorus]
He was to die but then they offered him freedom.
“We’ll spare your life, just deny St. Peter’s crown.”
Jesus gave him strength to remember his true vocation.
With the rope around his neck he turned them down.
[Post-Chorus]
Jesus gave him his freedom, shined on him, he loved him
Shined his light, even though his sins were so bright
Shined his light, He shined his light
He saw the light and choose eternal life!
Jesus he gave him freedom, He loved him
And you too
[Turnaround]
[Post-Chorus]
Jesus offers you freedom, shine on thee, He loves ya
Shines his light, and his mother will help in your plight (the demons fear her ooh)
Shine his light, he’ll shine the light
Shine his light, won’t you see the light?
Jesus will give you freedom, He loves you
Don’t you know his love, yeah?
Don’t you know he loves you?
[Outro]
Yes, he do! (Jesus grant me your freedom) I love you
(Yes, I do! Jesus grant me your freedom) You know that I love you
(Yes, I do! Jesus grant me your freedom) Don’t you know that I love you?
(Yes, I do! Jesus grant me your freedom) Don’t you know that I love you?
(Yes, I do! Jesus grant me your freedom) Don’t you know that I love you?
(Yes, I do! Jesus grant me your freedom) Don’t you know that I love you?
(Yes, I do…)
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