[Verse 1]
Cm Ab
In Jerusalem’s streets the Church began,
Eb Bb
With sandals worn and no great plan.
Cm Ab
They broke their bread, they shared their prayers,
Eb Bb
No pews, no robes, no grand affairs.
Cm Ab
Then Rome came in with golden flair,
Eb Bb
With Latin mass and bishop's chair.
Cm Ab
They built their domes, they swung their chains,
Eb Bb
They called it holy, none complained.
[Verse 2]
Cm Ab
The East then said, “You’ve gone too far,”
Eb Bb
And painted saints in frames of star.
Cm Ab
They fasted long and kissed the stone,
Eb Bb
And kept their chants in holy tone.
Cm Ab
Then Luther nailed his German list,
Eb Bb
He wasn’t one to just resist.
Cm Ab
“No Pope!” he cried, “Just faith and grace!”
Eb Bb
And started up the Reformed race.
[Bridge] (pick up speed like the AJR bridge)
Ab
Calvin came with predestined fate,
Bb
“Some are chosen, some just wait!”
Cm
Anglicans wore robes in rows—
Ab
"Pope-lite," they said, "with English prose!"
Bb
Baptists dove in deeper still,
Cm
“No babies! Full submersion thrill!”
Ab
Methodists marched side by side,
Bb
With rules and fire and holy pride!
[Verse 3] (slightly slower before speeding again)
Cm Ab
Pentecostals danced and spun,
Eb Bb
Their worship wild, their prayers begun.
Cm Ab
Hands up high, the Spirit came,
Eb Bb
With tongues and fire they praised His name.
Cm Ab
Then in New York, Joseph dreamed,
Eb Bb
Of golden plates and temples gleamed.
Cm Ab
With prophets new and families sealed,
Eb Bb
Another gospel was revealed.
Cm Ab
(Spoken plainly) Just Kidding... Not Really
[Verse 4]
Cm Ab
Now modern churches fill the streets,
Eb Bb
With trendy names and coffee seats.
Cm Ab
Skinny jeans and Sunday lights,
Eb Bb
Streaming grace in pixel bytes.
[Outro / Big Finish]
Cm Ab
Each claims the truth with cheer and zeal,
Eb Bb
But every take has its own feel
Cm Ab
maybe we’re all near the same,
Eb Bb
Just different colors, different flame.
Ab
So lets raise a glass (of Welch’s fine),
Bb
To saints and sinners all in line.
Cm
Though we divide, we hope each of us has prayed—
Ab Bb Cm
We’re marching on… the Church Parade.
