Another T

Another T song. I couldn't resist because the song lent itself so well. Here's another Nat King Cole classic, Unforgettable, by Irving Gordon with new words about total depravity.

Totally depraved, that's what we are
Totally depraved in deed and heart
Like some filthy rags, foul and unclean
Is the value of our righteous deeds
Like Adam before, no one could be more

Totally depraved in every way
And forever more we would have stayed
That's why it is so incredible
That Christ gave His life impeccable
For one so totally depraved, too.

Here's the original song:

West Side Story Meets the Puritans

I was thinking about songs from West Side Story while coming up with a caption for this post. I began humming the song Maria by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim and this is what I came up with.

John Owen
I just read a book by John Owen
And suddenly my sin will never be the same to me

John Owen
It's hard to read dudes like John Owen
But paperbacks abridged are helpful for the folks like me

John Owen
Take your time and digest it slowly
Feed your soul as your pride is made lowly

John Owen
The great theologian, John Owen

The best book on mortification I ever read
John Owen

No disrepect is meant. The Mortification of Sin is one of the books that changed my life. This just shows how strange my mind works.

Here is the original from the 1961 musical:

Give me an "I"

I know this isn't in order but this came to me sooner than the "L". This little song on Irresistible Grace is based on Embraceable You by George and Ira Gershwin.

You saved me, by irresistible grace
Your Spirit drew me to look on Your face

Once my heart was dead
A sinner vile, full of pride
But Your call awoke
me from the dead to new life

This conquering, amazing grace will perfect
This call will not fail to reach the elect

I can call You my Father
Undeserving and I know it's through
Your irresistible grace

For your listening pleasure, here is the incomparable Nat King Cole singing the original song:

No "L" yet

I am stumped on the "L". Not theologically, just lyrically.

Also, how can I write a song about Limited Atonement when Shai Linne has already written such a great one?

So, maybe I should write an "L" song coming from the opposite viewpoint of limited atonement.

I was toying with the idea of using Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" and changing it to "It's not fair", but then I realized how much I abhor the original lyics. However, I would be changing them.

Then there's Arethra Franklin's R-E-S-P-E-C-T changed to L-I-M-I-T-E-D. I think that would really stretch my lyric writing ability.

Stay tuned but don't hold your breath.

Give me a "U"

Here's a song about Unconditional Election. The tune is Tomorrow from the musical Annie. I don't know why I keep picking tunes from songs that I don't really like that much.

I'm thinking about election
There's no reason I could earn God's favor
if I tried

Just thinking about election
In my sin, I'd only chose the wrong thing
every time

I was destined for hell, dead in trespasses
Unconditionally, God, by grace, saved me

I marvel at God's election
I did not choose Him but He foreknew me
before time

Election, election
Predestined to know Him
It's only by grace alone

Give me a "T"

I thought I would come up with a song for each of the letters in TULIP so here's the one for total depravity. The tune is Hernando's Hideaway from the 1954 musical Pajama Game by Richard Adler
and Jerry Ross.

I know a dark, deceitful place
A heart hid by a smiling face
Stone cold with evil thoughts all day
For man is totally depraved, ole!

Every boy and girl on earth
Is tainted from the day of birth
The truth is that we're worse than dirt
For man is totally depraved, ole!

(music)
In our every thought and action telling what's within
(music)
They're not bad choices it's the fruit of all our sin
(music)
If you need proof just watch the news on the T.V.
But it's not out there, if you look with care
It's you and me!

No hope in us, no remedy
Backs turned to God rebelliously
Save for grace shown at Calvary
For man is totally depraved, ole!

Your Best Tune Now

My latest tune snatch is "On Broadway" by Barry Mann and Cynthia Wells in collaboration with Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. This was recorded by the Drifters and George Benson.

This was inspired by the posts on "Treasuring Christ in Catastrophic Situations" at Gospel Driven Disciples.

Your teeth are looking bright tonight, Joel Osteen
You're style and manner's sure to not offend
Your happy pep talks fill the seats
How God exists to meet my needs
But what will happen when life's at the end?

You say I should be treated fine, Joel Osteen
Because I now have God's own DNA
But what do you and I deserve?
God's righteous wrath we have incurred
What is your answer for that judgement day?

You've written two best selling books, Joel Osteen
They hold the secret to fulfill my dreams
But I'm not buying what you sell
Because the gospel you don't tell
No thanks, I'll read the Word instead, Joel Osteen