On a day when the devil, and the world sat down together
And talked away the hours like a couple of old friends
While their children all played on the village green together
With guns, and bombs, and tanks, and lots of fighter aeroplanes
There came an outsider, from where no one could say

But simply and straightforwardly he tried to save the day
He said:

"God so loved the world
That He gave His only son.
God so loved the world
That He gave His only son".

And all the politicians, and the scholars said "how sad"
And after consultation they decided he was mad
"Conspiracy!" they shouted, "chicanery!" they said
"He's nothing but a trickster and completely off his head!".

With sorrow and with anger he looked on their stupidity
And left them debating on the future of mankind
He came to the market-place of subterfuge activity
Anxious to know what attitude he would find
Amidst all the bargaining he spoke up loud and clear
The people turned to listen with a condescending ear
He said:

"God so loved the world
That He gave His only son.
God so loved the world
That He gave His only son".

No sooner had he started than the violence broke out
They railed and they cursed him - just another long-haired lout
"You sponger! you parasite! we fought for the likes of you
We give you education and just look where it leads to".

The Devil raised his glass as the traveller set forth
To leave the village far behind became his only thought
But as he reached the outskirts he stopped to rest a while
And children's voices singing in the schoolhouse made him smile:

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The bible tells me so.

(The above chorus repeated, and sung
simultaneously with the chorus below - until fade)

"God so loved the world
That He gave His only son.
God so loved the world
That He gave His only son".