The Song of Mark, Chapter 2
Epic poem retelling the second chapter of Mark with dramatic background music.
Dramatic presentation of epic poems on the life of Jesus.
Spirit Song Text presents original poetic paraphrases of the four new testament gospels with dramatic musical background to enhance understanding of the stories. Each song is an entire chapter from the biblical book. Writing and production of these gospel epics is by Jabez Van Cleef, a poet living in Madison, NJ (USA).
Story behind the song
To enable musicians to sing the gospel -- I offer a liberal use policy for anyone who wants to set music to these lyrics. Contact me directly to inquire.
Lyrics
The Song of Mark
2.
Some days later Jesus came home
To his place in Capernaum.
The people gathered thick and close,
There by the front door of the house.
Out from the mingling of the crowd,
Four men brought in a crippled friend:
Stretched on a mattress, stiff and prone,
He sought the touch of Jesus’ hand.
When all the people blocked the door,
The man was lifted by these four
Up to the roof, and then let down,
On his spare pallet, to the ground.
Jesus gave comfort to this man,
And said, I now forgive your sin.
Authorities watched him, and they thought,
Does Jesus think that he is God?
But Jesus read their thoughts and asked,
Why do you take me so to task?
Tell me, which one is easier?
For me to say to this man here
My son, I now forgive your sin?
Or rather, say, Now walk again?
I can forgive what sins there are
Because I have this pow’r, and more.
Then Jesus to the cripple spoke,
Now take your pallet up and walk.
The cripple stood before the crowd;
And all their eyes were opened wide.
They sent hosannas up to heav’n
And doubted what their eyes had seen.
Jesus walked out along the shore;
The people pressed against him more.
To Levi, son of Alphaeus,
Sitting in his rev’nue office,
Levi, he said, Now follow me.
So Levi stood, and came away.
All of the local riff-raff came;
They sat to eat and drink with him.
Then those who thought he was a threat
Said, See who he invites to eat!
And Jesus, when he heard them carp,
Said, I share all my bread and cup,
So would you have the healthy healed?
It is for sinners I am called.
Many were the authorities
Who questioned why he did all this.
They would their self-denial boast,
And asked him why he did not fast.
Jesus answered, My time is short.
Soon, the wedding guests will depart;
Now that the bridegroom’s in their midst,
It is not seemly if they fast.
And soon enough the day will come
When I will say goodbye to them.
New cloth cannot repair the old
Nor agèd wineskins new wine hold:
So if you would this teaching hear,
Renew your spirit, and prepare.
