On a day when the devil, and the world sat down together

And talked away the hours like a couple of old friends

While their children all played on the village green together

With guns, and bombs, and tanks, and lots of fighter aeroplanes

There came an outsider, from where no one could say

But simply and straightforwardly he tried to save the day

He said: 



"God so loved the world

That He gave His only son.

God so loved the world

That He gave His only son".



And all the politicians, and the scholars said "how sad"

And after consultation they decided he was mad

"Conspiracy!" they shouted, "chicanery!" they said

"He's nothing but a trickster and completely off his head!".



With sorrow and with anger he looked on their stupidity

And left them debating on the future of mankind

He came to the market-place of subterfuge activity

Anxious to know what attitude he would find

Amidst all the bargaining he spoke up loud and clear

The people turned to listen with a condescending ear

He said:



"God so loved the world

That He gave His only son.

God so loved the world

That He gave His only son".



No sooner had he started than the violence broke out

They railed and they cursed him - just another long-haired lout

"You sponger! you parasite! we fought for the likes of you

We give you education and just look where it leads to".



The Devil raised his glass as the traveller set forth

To leave the village far behind became his only thought

But as he reached the outskirts he stopped to rest a while

And children's voices singing in the schoolhouse made him smile:



Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

The bible tells me so.



(The above chorus repeated, and sung

simultaneously with the chorus below - until fade)



"God so loved the world

That He gave His only son.

God so loved the world

That He gave His only son".