wrong rule Right?
Christ the King - The Reign of Christ (Proper 29B)
Revelation 1.4b-8; John 18.33-37
(for a more traditional sermon form click here)

'wrong rule Right?' is  written in the style of a contemporary performance poem. It is based on two of  the set readings for the Eucharist (Revelation 1.4b - 8 and  John 18.33b - 37) on  the Sunday called Christ the King. That Sunday's designation only dates from a  declaration by Pope Pius XI in December 1925.  Three years into Mussolini's  regime in Italy and with  fascism gaining popularity across Europe, the  title was meant to assert Christ's ultimate authority in all things. 'wrong rule Right?' poses the question whether such a human metaphor is adequate to describe Christ's saving power. In the gospels only those who are Christ's enemies, or those who have misunderstood him, describe him as a king. Both  scripture readings suggest the rule of Christ is essentially different from the  ways of exercising power usual in human social and personal relationships. The poem does not claim (or aim) to be a definitive statement. Instead its purpose is to provoke further thought about the authority and power that Christ exerts, and the hope his unique use of power brings to the believer and the world.

I  don't  need no King,
no la de da, bowing, scraping,
walking  backwards,
humble  pie, shifty eye,
'May it please your majesty'
posh melarky kind o'  thing.

I don't need no King,
no do this, do that,
don't answer back,
divine right to rule,
we're just plebs,
know your place  kind o' thing.

I don't  need no King,
no crown and tiara,
ermine trimmed velvet,
ride in a  carriage,
designer gown destined for the V&A,
don't tread on the train  kind o' thing.

I don't need no King,
no 'Let them eat cake,
their hunger's a fake'
indifferent, remote,
what life beyond the palace gate? kind o' thing.

I don't need no King,
no stern faced
'We are not amused'
superior, aloof,
'fraid to laugh
can't take a joke kind o' thing.

I don't need no King,
no subject's duty
to close the battle wall
with our dead,
cry 'God for Harry'
ordered fury, kind o' thing.

I don't need no King,
no ruling fling
to tie me down make
me  wear a frown
worry and fear:
'What's that to do with me?' kind o' thing.

I don't need no King
you'd better know it,
it was a rumour,
spin-doctoring,
whip up the crowd,
malicious gossip kind o' thing.

I don't need no King.
Them all say the same.
No soul-buddies they.
Talk 'im down.
Set 'im up.
Creep to the Guvn'r kind o' thing.

I don't need no King.
Let 'im rule from a gibbet.
Blood and pain
that ain't no gain.
'and 'im over,
don't want to know, kind o' thing.

"I don't need no King,
he makes me sick.
let his guts rip,
Yiddish git."
Hate full,
spit in yer face kind o' thing.

I don't need no King
hanging there.
Some throne?
Hell and  back
you're not alone,
love ya through it all, kind o' thing.

I don't need no King,
no king he was,
no king he  is.
Out of this world fella, yeah,
get spaced,
nothin' that fits the  rules, kind o' thing.

I don't  need no King,
no rule on high,
six foot above contradiction,
but lovin'  truth
gutsy, listenin', sexy,
hairs standin' on the back of yer neck
kind o' thing. 

I  don't need no King.
Him rules, but not like that.
Funky, funny  ways,
that loosens the stays
makes free,
a response-able kind o' thing.

I don't need no King.
Hang the golden  throne.
Him  come with the clouds,
get a rain-water wash
no water rate,
refreshes parts no other water  can reach,
kind  o' thing. 

I don't  need no King.
No I need a look in the eye
straight on, I understand you.
Ya get me?
Nothin' held back,
I hear ya, I really hear ya, kind o'  thing.

I don't  need no King,
no power-bound thing
to stifle the mind
and harden
the  heart.
No clumsy sign
to limit and confine.

I need ima-gin-ation
for ju-bil-ation.

Listen,  can't ya hear?
a roaring party,
it's not far,
the taxi's come
the  driver's here
a Christ Knoc - king kind o'  thing.

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