I love this. I have a bigger crush on this idea than I did on the Chi Omegas in college. What is the “this” I am so gleeful about? Simply the addition of the word “and” to songs we sing at church, something my friend Jody reminded me about recently.
Changing up the lyrics is nothing new. Lots of folks do that, either by mistake or design, when they perform a song. It drives the sound guy/gal crazy, baffles the audience and in general creates mass confusion. But for my money, when a worship leader adds the word “and” to a song, it only creates mass awesome.
What usually happens is that a worship leader wants to smooth over what he/she thinks is an awkward transition between verse and chorus. So they reach into their bag of tricks, which is where they keep their hair product by the way, and pull out the word “and.”
Then, in the middle of “God of Wonders, instead of singing, “Early in the morning, I will celebrate the light,” they sing “And early in the morning, I will celebrate the light.” Instead of singing, “Every blessing you pour out, ” you sing, “And every blessing you pour out.” Before you know it, the word “and” is running wild in the sanctuary like a family of rabbits.
You can’t stop this phenomenon, you can only contain it. But, even that can be fun. Here are three things to do with all those extra “ands.”
1. Play a drinking game.
With coffee you heathen, what were you thinking? Every time your worship leader uses an extra “and,” take a sip of coffee. Take two bonus sips if they talk sing or ask you to clap along.
2. Use them in regular conversation.
Just start dropping an abundance of “ands” in all your conversations. When your wife asks if you like the new Coldplay album, respond, “And I really enjoy it.” When your boss tells you to do something say, “And the reports will be on your desk in the morning.” Add the word “and” all day long.
3. Switch words.
In your head, imagine a different word other than “and” every time you hear it during a song. Pretend that instead of “and” the worship leader is saying “platypus.” I promise, you haven’t really worshipped until you’ve experienced the song “Platypus, I can only imagine.” It sounds like you’re singing a love song to the platypus, which is one crazy monotreme of an animal. (Whoa, did I just drop “monotreme” as if I regularly use that word in my every day vocabulary? Check out the brain on Brad.)
I could go on and on, but today’s beer post is super long.
And that is the end of the post.
