Folk & Traditional Song Lyrics www.traditionalmusic.co.uk Song of the Pelagian Heresy 
Song of the Pelagian Heresy (Hillaire Belloc, 1912)
 Pelagius lived in Kardanoel and taught a doctrine there How whether you went to Heaven or Hell, It was your own affair. How, whether you found eternal joy Or sank forever to burn, It had nothing to do with the church, my boy, But it was your own concern.
 (Semi-chorus) Oh, he didn't believe in Adam and 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-tow, ti-oodly-ow, He laughed at orignal sin!
 Whereat the Bishop of old Auxerre (Germanus was his name) He tore great handfuls out of his hair, And he called Pelagius Shame: And then with his stout Episcopal staff So thoroughly whacked and banged The heretics all, both short and tall, They rather had been hanged.
 Oh, he thwacked them hard, and he banged them long Upon each and all occasions, Till they bellowed in chorus, loud and strong Their orthodox persuasions!
 With my row-ti-tow, ti-oodly-ow, Their orthodox persuasions!
 Now the Faith is old and the Devil is bold Exceedingly bold. indeed; And the masses of doubt That are floating about 
 Would smother a mortal creed. But we that sit in sturdy youth, And still can drink strong ale, Oh -- let us put it away to infallible truth, Which always shall prevail!
 And thank the Lord For the temporal sword, And for howling heretics, too; And whatever good things our Christendom brings, But especially the barley-brew!
 With my row-ti-tow, ti-oodly-ow Especially the barley-brew!
 THE SONG OF THE PELAGIAN HERESY FOR THE STRENGTHENING OF MEN'S BACKS AND THE VERY ROBUST OUT-THRUSTING OF DOUBTFUL DOCTRINE AND THE UNCERTAIN INTELLECTUAL (Hillaire Belloc, 1912) 
BX oct00