Classic Poem

Pelagius lived in Kardanoel,
And taught his doctrine there:
How whether you went to heaven or hell,
It was your own affair;
How whether you rose to eternal joy,
Or sank forever to burn,
It had nothing to do with the church, my boy,
But was your own concern.

Semi-Chorus

Oh, he didn't believe in Adam or Eve —
He put no faith therein;
His doubts began with the fall of man,
And he laughed at original sin.

Chorus

With my row-ti-dow-ti-oodly-ow,
He laughed at original sin.
Whereat the Bishop of old Auxerre —
Germanus was his name —
He tore great handfuls out of his hair,
And called Pelagius shame.
And then with his stout episcopal staff
So thoroughly thwacked and banged
The heretics all, both short and tall,
That they rather had been hanged.

Semi-Chorus

Oh, he thwacked them hard and he thwacked them long
On each and all occasions,
Till they bellowed in chorus loud and strong
Their orthodox persuasions.

Chorus

With my row-ti-dow-ti-oodly-ow,
Their orthodox persuasions.
Now the Faith is old and the Devil is bold —
Exceeding bold indeed;
And the masses of doubt that are floating about
Would smother a mortal creed.
But we who sit in a sturdy youth
And still can drink strong ale —
Let us put it away to infallible truth
That always shall prevail.

Semi-Chorus

So thank the Lord for the temporal sword,
And for bowling heretics, too,
And for all the good things that our Christendom brings —
But especially barley brew!

Chorus

With my row-ti-dow-ti-oodly-ow,
Especially barley brew!