OK, time for something a little light-hearted.
Back when I was in Mount St. Mary’s Seminary some twenty-five 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 a lot 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.
- 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)
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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.