Just like Salt
• An all-ages song
Music by Ron KlusmeierWords by Walter Farquharson
Tune Name: ESTEVAN
Lyrics as Poetry
Jesus said that we should be
just like salt!
And if our world forgets God,
guess whose fault!
Yes, Jesus said that we should be
just like salt!
And if our world forgets God,
guess whose fault!
Salt brings out the flavor
of food we eat.
Salt that has no saltiness
is thrown on the street!
Jesus said that we should be
just like salt!
And if our world forgets God,
guess whose fault!
Yes, Jesus said that we should be
just like salt!
And if our world forgets God,
guess whose fault!
Those who follow Jesus,
who know God’s care,
are those who live creatively
and aren’t afraid to share.
Jesus said that we should be
just like salt!
And if our world forgets God,
guess whose fault!
Yes, Jesus said that we should be
just like salt!
And if our world forgets God,
guess whose fault!
Guess whose fault!
Guess whose fault! It’s mine!
Guess whose fault! It’s yours!
Guess whose fault! It’s ours!
Words by
Walter FarquharsonCopyright © 1984 by Walter Farquharson
Administered by Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, Illinois • USA
Audio Sample
THE SAMPLE ABOVE
Click on the player above to hear:
• Refrain • Verse • Refrain • Ending played on piano.
•
ACCOMPANIMENT TRACK
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bottom of this column.
Scripture References
- Isaiah 58:7
- Matthew 5:13
- Matthew 10:1
- Mark 9:50
- Luke 3:11
- Luke 14:27
- Luke 14:34-35
- John 13:35
Season, Theme
or Subject
- Children∶ music about
- Children∶ music for
- Intergenerational
- Witness
Presentation Suggestions
“In a perfect world…”
REFRAIN 1:
unison choir or all-ages group.
VERSE 1:
child or children’s group (unison).
REFRAIN 2:
congregation and choir (SATB).
VERSE 2:
child or children’s group (2-part)
REFRAIN 3:
congregation and choir (SATB).
ENDING:
all (parts or unison)
with suggested movements.
NOTE: Ending movement can be hands outstretched or holding other’s hands.
Projection Images
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Accompaniment Recordings
The Accompaniment Track begins with a 4-measure Introduction. The ‘map’ is as follows:
- Introduction
- Refrain
- Verse 1
- Refrain
- Verse 2
- Refrain
- Ending
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Versions Available for This Title
Melody Line Versions (includes transposing instruments)
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Melody Line: 'C' Instrument or Vocal
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Melody Line: Bass Clef 'C' Instrument
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Hymn-style Vocal Harmonizations (accompany with any piano versions)
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Piano Versions
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Easy Piano: Hymn-style
Guitar Chords & Bass Progressions
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Guitar & Bass: Full chords in keyboard key
Comments About Song
BY WALTER FARQUHARSON
This song was never intended to be just part of a blame game. Its apparent light-heartedness might make it seem to be that. The finger pointing movements sometimes incorporated into the song “yours/mine” and the inclusive spreading of arms “ours” may seem to promote that misunderstanding, but it deserves our attention.
We humans are not long on accepting responsibility when things go wrong or are fouled up. Passing the blame along comes easily and perhaps naturally to us. “They” may be to blame. “I” am not. “We” are not. From relatively minor misdeeds to major global ones, we prefer to see culprits “over there”. I excuse my temper tantrum by saying that my partner, my neighbour, that stupid person ahead of me in the checkout counter or the traffic lane, aggravated me, caused me to say what I said or do what I did.
How often we say, or hear others say, “I’m tired of hearing about the mistreatment of First Nations peoples. I’m tired of being blamed for global warming and climate change. I’m tired of …”
The Scribes and Pharisees were tired of being criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and their attention to items of ritual while they “ignored the greater demands of the law and the prophets”. Herod and his queen were tired of John the Baptizer’s rant about their sin and their cozy relationship with Caesar’s occupation and oppressive regime.
Jesus wanted his followers to live their faith openly and actively. He told them they were the salt of the earth but reminded them that salt that had lost its saltiness was useless. They were the light of the world, but it did no good to light a lamp and then keep it hidden.
The call is not to “feel bad”. The call is to see how we have diluted the gospel, have down-played or denied its powers. “Those who follow Jesus, who know God’s care, are those who live creatively and aren’t afraid to share.”
As church we must see the church as a community of God’s love. This includes God’s love for creation, for all the peoples of the world, for our neighbours. The church is not called to be an institution worried about its own survival but a body, an organism, a vital, living, doing community. Where love is, where love is lived, God is there, and will not be forgotten. God’s love heals and redeems a hurting and broken world. And, guess whose love is God’s love turned loose – its yours, its mine, its ours!
Note: Also see “I’m Sure, My God, You Weep” (both the song and the comments).