The Jesus Rap

OK, time for something a little light-hearted.

Back when I was in Mount St. Mary’s Seminary over twenty years ago, Rap music had burst on the scene. But the thing about rap in those days was that it was more clever than today (if you ask me). Rap at that time was supposed to rhyme. Today, it sounds just alot more like rambling soliloquies and a little too unintelligible. Again, just my opinion. But “back in the day” Rap had to rhyme and so you had to be very creative.

Some of the guys in the seminary were working in the inner city of Baltimore and they developed the “Jesus Rap.” I was amazed at how creative it was and have kept it all these years. Living in working in the inner city I would take it out and dust it off every now and again and I’ve adapted it over the years, a little change here and there,  but it’s basically the same. I  wish I could give credit by name to the seminarians (now priests) who wrote it but their names are lost in the dust bin of my memory.

But enjoy this (Old Fashion) “Jesus Rap”  You’ll need to provide your own rhythm by tapping on the desk as you read. And please! Read it with a little rhythm! If you can’t do it ask a fifth grader.

THE JESUS RAP

  • WELL I LIKE JESUS I THINK HE’S REALLY FINE,
  • THAT’S WHY I WORSHIP HIM ALL THE TIME.
  • OUR FATHER IN MORNING,
  • A BIBLE VERSE IN THE NOON,
  • AND IF YOU JOIN ME NOW YOU GO TO HEAVEN SOON!
  • PRAY TO JESUS,
  • WORSHIP JESUS.
  • NOW THE THING ABOUT JESUS, HE’S HIGH ABOVE THE REST,
  • THAT’S WHY I WEAR THIS CROSS ON MY CHEST.
  • HE LEADS ME TO THE FATHER,
  • I’M SO GLAD I COULD CLAP!
  • SO WON’T YOU JOIN ME NOW TO DO THE JESUS RAP!
  • PRAY TO JESUS,
  • WORSHIP JESUS.
  • I WAS DOWN!  FEELING DEPRESSED!
  • MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE MY LIFE WAS A MESS.
  • IN DESPAIR!  SO FULL OF DOUBT!
  • WELL I TURNED TO JESUS AND HE HELPED ME OUT!
  • NOW MY LIFE IS DANDY,
  • EVERYTHING’S A SNAP!
  • DO YOU WANT THE SAME?
  • THEN DO THE JESUS RAP!
  • PRAY TO JESUS
  • WORSHIP JESUS
  • PRAY TO JESUS
  • WORSHIP JESUS  (Fade)

– – – – – – – –

Now here’s a video that “so bad its good.”  Here are three suburban teenage girls trying to rap and, well,  lets just admit, sometimes we white folks are a bit “challenged”  in this area  🙂  They surely do a better job than I could! Actually they are quite creative in rapping several gospel stories such as the water made wine and the walking on the water. Enjoy!

And here’s another rap that’s a little more “hip.”  It’s an interesting blend of rap, freestyle and call-response. I am NOT recommending this for Mass! Save it for the Church hall.  Warning:This video was made using well-trained rappers, do not try this at your Church hall without proper supervision and safety gear.

3 Replies to “The Jesus Rap”

  1. I am a catholic/christian hip hop artist. I love the post. However, I feel the need to clarify that there are *some* white people that can rap. check me out..

    http://www.myspace.com/LilMikeGoHard

    http://www.mikespot.net

    Gratitude ft. Nicole [Lyrics Snippet (Copyright protected!!)]

    Im here to thank you Jesus, Yes we need you, You’re essential //
    What you went through, your credentials, can’t copy like a stencil //

    Im off the fence, you are amazing, daily, stay with me //
    When I am failing, Am i crazy? Oh No, look what He’s taken //

    A sinful man like me, He cut the weeds and planted seeds //
    My baby faith grew to a tree, and all of these weren’t free, the fee //

    Was paid instead of green, He cleared a debt by other means //
    He shed His blood and made us clean, Oh Death Where is Your Sting?? //

    Now we can live our lives and walk in lies, or seek the truth //
    My life pursuit, bearin’ fruit, while in the booth I aim at youth //

    Look I aint perfect dude, I promise you, since I sin daily //
    Thanks to Jesus Christ, He gave me life, One day I pray He’ll raise me //

    God Bless!~

  2. After a Lutheran church service in which “Soon and Very Soon” was rhymically slaughtered by a middle-school percussionist and a group of mostly post-middle-aged white parishioners, my Catholic husband (after he finished laughing) claimed that we would never hear an attempt of a spiritual at Mass. He asserts that Catholics know perfectly well they can’t sing spirituals.

    The following week I pointed out that “Soon and Very Soon” IS in the missalette (sp?).

    He responded: Well, so is “A Mighty Fortress” and we’ve never sung THAT have we?

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