Simple Living provides lyrics for Christmas Carols with Justice.
The verses blend traditional and bold progressive language. They are easy to use and bring the real world into Christmas.
“Jesus’ birth has taken on much cultural significance as a celebration of good will, warm feelings and excessive consumerism. These new stanzas help to connect his birth with our lives. They appeal for social justice, care of Creation, and discipleship through simpler living.” — SimpleLiving
Each carol is sung on YouTube and the printed lyrics are easy to copy.
Two examples:
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel
Verse 1: 12th century Latin
Verse 2: Cynthia A. Douglas
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel,
That moans to lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, dear Lord, with mercy and grace,
Make strong the weak and heal the human race,
The hungry feed, the needy clothe
That by example we will learn to love.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
“This serious text may seem trivialized by the happy tune and especially by the nonsense “Fa-la-la’s.” Just as families in the past prepared the hearth by cleaning out the ashes and adding the new Yule log, we prepare for Christ’s coming during Advent with acts of repentance and service.” — Simple Living
Verse 1: Traditional
Verse 2 & 3: Rod Reinhart
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la la.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la la.
While we sing a yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Forward now to peace and freedom, Fa la la la la la la la la.
There, a little child shall lead them, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Break the chains of war and slavery, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Pray with courage. Work with bravery, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Dance away your victim’s silence*, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Bring an end to fear and violence, Fa la la la la la la la la.
War and hatred? No and never! Fa la la la la la la la la.
Peace on Earth, we sing forever, Fa la la la la la la la la.
