We [call upon]/[deny the existence of] [God]/[gods]/[blind chance] to confer upon our country [a blessing]/[more randomness]/[the chaos we deserve]. May [he]/[she]/[it]/[who are we kidding] [look with favor upon]/[giggle about] our humble [submission]/[efforts]/[electoral system]. Look not on our [faults]/[arrogance]/[faults and arrogance]/[Congress] but show us [your mercy]/[your love]/[the money]. There is none but [You]/[me]/[American Idol] worthy of our reverence. [Amen.]/[So be it.]/[Wha. . .?]
* * * * * *
Today President Bush will take the oath of office for his second term. May God give him grace, strength, courage and the wisdom to govern according to what is right and just insofar as God gives him to understand it.
and the patience and charity to deal with his detractors, many of whom are cruel and uninformed in their actual hatred and ridicule of him.
Speaking of the politically incorrect, this lovely tune from my youth would never make it today:
Sons of God,
Hear his holy word,
gather round
the table of the Lord
Eat his Body, drink his Blood!
And we'll sing a song of love,
allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia.REVISED VERSION:
People of God,
Hear God's holy word,
Gather round
the table of the Lord
Share the meal and share our lives,
and we'll sing a song of love,
allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia.