God-Language

This semester I am in a class entitled Feminist and Womanist Theologies taught by Drs. Pierce and Taylor. Yesterday we were talking about Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, and Dr. Taylor played this song. It's incredibly moving and thought provoking. This song is to the tune of "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" (known otherwise as Nettleton). You can listen to it online here. Below are the lyrics.

God, I Cannot Call You Father
© Linda Allen 1993
words: Linda Allen
melody: Nettleton, J. Wyeth 1813

God, I know you as a spirit
Blowing through me like a wind
You are the spirit of the water
You are the source, you are the end
God, I know you as a mother
Giving birth to all I am
But I cannot call you Father
And I know you understand

God, how many names we've called you
Great Jehovah, Great I Am
You are the lion, you're the shepherd
Mother Eagle, gentle lamb
And Jesus called you "Abba"
He knew Joseph's loving hand
But I cannot call you Father
And I know you understand

And now I hear the hymns around me
Heavenly Father, Lord of hosts
And the child is blessed with water
Father, Son and Holy Ghost
But how many father's daughters
Feel like strangers in this land
Silent tears to bear the sorrow
God, I know you understand


From the CD: Lay It Down: Images of the Sacred. October Rose Productions, 1996.