“Faith of My Fathers”
Words and Music by Joel Michael Herbert
Verse 1
I don’t want the faith of my fathers
That bombs, segregates, and enslaves
That uses scripture as a weapon
If you’re a woman, immigrant, or gay
I don’t want the faith of my mothers
Silent while men hang from a tree
I see in Christ a clear reflection
A love beyond our wildest dreams
Pre-Chorus
Do justly
Love mercy
Walk humbly with your God
Chorus 1
I want the Faith of Moses
The Kind that sets the captives free
I want the faith of Naomi
Lifting the ones who are weak
I want the Faith of Mary
Holding the mystery deep inside
But most of all I want the faith
Of Jesus and his grace
Turning darkness into light
Verse 2
Down through the ages we’ve seen it
Religion turning into hate
Becoming a partner for violence
To war and steal and take and take
But when I read of the God of love
Who rescues even enemies
There’s something in me that rises up
Come be that hope in me
Chorus 2
I want the faith of Joseph
Forgiving those who do me wrong
I want the faith of Hannah
Turning my grieving into song
I want the faith of Deborah
Leading a nation out of shame
But most of all I wanna run
To see your kingdom come
Rolling the stone of death away
Bridge
Do justly
Love mercy
Walk humbly with your God
Chorus 3
I want the faith of Esther
Confronting hate, not backing down
I want the faith of Tamar
The Courage to speak the truth to power
I want the faith of Hagar
Naming the God who sees and hears
But Most of all I want to be
Like the one who died for me
The Love that’s casting out all fear
Chorus 4
I want the faith of Martin
Naming the Dream as though it was
I may not get there with you
But I know that we shall overcome
I want the faith of Malcolm and Mamie
That demands we face and see the truth
But most of all I want to be
Like Jesus was for me
The hope that’s making all things new
Tag
But most of all I want to be
Like the One who died for me
The Love that’s making all things new