BAD REWRITE

Posted at 8:55 a.m. ET

Since we're doing a bit of UK bashing today, let us by all means continue.  (Actually, we love true Brits, those who are left.)

It seems that the rewriting of traditional Christmas carols is a growth industry in the more politically correct outposts of British society.  Consider this from The Telegraph:

A modern version of Joy to the World rewritten to remove references to Jesus has been voted the worst politically-correct carol by churchgoers.

The bowdlerised song, which replaces "Joy to the world, the Lord is come, Let earth receive her King" with the lines "Joy to the world, for peace shall come, Let this be our refrain" came out top of a poll hosted by Ship of Fools, the religious humour website.

Other Christmas favourites altered for the politically-correct age include O Come All Ye Faithful, with some congregations told to sing "O come in adoration" instead of "O come let us adore him", which is apparently considered too gender specific.

No matter what one's religious outlook, that is appalling. 

The website's Steve Goddard said they were inspired to start the poll after dozens of readers complained that their local churches had made clumsy alterations to songbooks...

"...Theologically-modified carols will ring out everywhere this year. Innocents like king, man, son, virgin and Lord have been slaughtered to make carols more modern and inclusive. In some cases, entire verses have been rewritten."

May the rewriters be haunted by the original composers and lyricists, and their lawyers.

He added: "How long will it be before we have to sing 'Oh Vertically Challenged Town of Bethlehem' because 'little' is perceived to be politically incorrect?"

And remember, "Silent Night" may be offensive to those who like the daytime.  Think about it.

December 25, 2008.