Posted on: 24th November 2021

At the darkest time of the year we relive God’s gift of light in darkness, and look forward to that second coming, when all shall be made new.  Through Advent we sing “O come, O come Emmanuel”.  That hymn translates the Great O Antiphons on the Magnificat, sung for well over a thousand years.  We are called to translate this Gospel of hope for our own times.  So I translated it into Rap.

Everywhere you look there's darkness and sadness
Wars and disaster and nothing but badness
the way of the world is nothing but madness
We are in exile and longing for your gladness.
When shall we see the new day dawning?
When will it be light and endless morning?
Jesus, help us and hear us calling
We're out of control - Lord stop us falling!
Crazy on earth right now
God, we need you here right now

Come, Wisdom from on high
Rescue us from this endless night we
Need you Lord to come and save us
Come now Lord, come on and make us
New in you without delay
Give us the knowledge: show us the way
Hear us call to you we pray
Lead us into the heavenly day.
Crazy on earth right now
God, we need you here right now

O Adonai, great Lord of Might
Come like you did on the mountain's height
In ancient times you gave the Law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
You came to Moses in a bush of fire
You promised grace and you are not a liar
Come thou root of Jesse's tree
Bring new growth for all to see.
Crazy on earth right now
God, we need you here right now

Key to David's kingdom, come
Open wide the heavenly home
Give us life and don't delay
Send all the prisoners out to play
Come, Light, come and cheer our
Spirits by your Advent here
Time to rise up and heal the blind
Bring your peace to all mankind.
Crazy on earth right now
God, we need you here right now

(A musical version of this can be viewed here.) 

By Roger Quick - St George's Crypt