Phil Ochs was Jewish, and incredibly opinionated. This is his “anti-hymn”, and was part of his concert album from 1966 as issued by Elektra Records. The LP was littered with sociopolitical themes and provocative lyrics. In this song, he exposes how ugly he views Christianity to be, in true satirical...
[Intro]
The other night a voice came to me
Turned out it was God
He said "Ochs wake up, this is God here, over"
I said, "You're putting me on of course Dylan."
So he did a few tricks
He moved the bed back and forth
Trembling I asked, "What is it you want O Lord?"
He said, "Well, frankly, Phil, I went downtown the other day
Saw The Greatest Story Ever Told
Couldn't believe it
It's gone too far
Something must be done about Christianity."
Then woof, in a puff of smoke he disappeared
The next morning I woke up, had a few drinks
Realized it was all true
And decided to do something about Christianity
But what could I do, me, a poor humble boy from the sticks?
Then, I remembered I was a songwriter - ah-hah!
So I sat down with pen in hand, over my typewriter
Ended up writing this next song
Which is a hymn about Christianity
Actually an anti-hymn, the first anti-hymn folks
That's the melody
[Verse 1]
Christian cannons have fired at my days
With the warning beneath the holy blaze
And bow to our authority
Say the cannons of Christianity
[Verse 2]
Oh the children will be sent to schools
Minds of clay are molded to the rules
Learn to fear all of eternity
Warn the cannons of Christianity
[Verse 3]
Holy hands will count the money raised
Like a king the Lord is richly praised
On a cross of diamond majesty
Say the cannons of Christianity
[Verse 4]
Missionaries will travel on crusades
The word is given, the heathen souls are saved
Conversions to our morality
Sigh the cannons of Christianity
[Verse 5]
Come the wars and turn the rules around
Defend your soul on the battle ground
And the Lord will march beside me
Drone the cannons of Christianity
[Verse 6]
Cathedral walls will glitter with their gold
And the sermons speak through silver robes
Building castles amidst the poverty
Say the cannons of Christianity
[Verse 7]
Worship now and wash your sins away
Drop the coins, fall to your knees and pray
Cleanse the world of all hypocrisy
Smile the cannons of Christianity
[Verse 8]
Christian cannons have fired at my days
With the warning beneath the holy blaze
And bow to our authority
Say the cannons of Christianity
Cry the cannons of Christianity
[Outro]
Thank you and God bless you
Canons of Christianity was written by Phil Ochs.
Canons of Christianity was produced by Mark Abramson & Jac Holzman.