The Crucifixion 2005

After the medieval Mystery Play from York

for Farleigh School, Hampshire

The scene is Calvary. Jesus enters carrying the Cross. 

SOLDIERS

 Sir knights, you know as well as I

 How the lords and leaders of our law

 Have decreed this fool shall die.

 He must be definitely dead by noon

 So it is high time that we begin!

 Let’s bang him down! Then quite soon

 The crowds will cease their wailing din.

 The foulest death of alla

 Shall he die for his deeds,

 With hammers, nails, large and long,

 Let’s do it with good speed

 Let’s kill this traitor strong!

 JESUS

 Almighty God, my Father free,

 Now in death I give myself to Thee.

 From its sins to save mankind

 That it through me may favour find.

 SOLDIERS

 This sorcerer is like a madman

 This painful death don’t scare him!

 He’ll regret his silly sayings.

 Or will his father-god now spare him?

 (they laugh)

 This traitor smeared with treason

 Claimed to be a king -

 Here’s a nail that will stand fast

 If I can hammer it in -

 This fellow’s lost his reason -

 We commit no sin!

 The people when he’s dead will know

 He was a wicked thing.

 It’s now my turn to make quite sure

 The saviour doesn’t fail 

 To die a right royal death! So now

 Let me bang in a nail!

 That done, another dreary thing

 Is asked of you and me:

 We’ve got to make him hang on high 

 So that everyone can see.

 Alright, then all together!

 Lift on one, two, three!

 Lift up!

 Heave ho!

 A little more!

 Hold then!

 He weighs a weight!

 The worst is past!

 Oh lift again!

 There, the Christ has met his fate!

 Say, sir, how do you like

 The work that we have done?

 We pray you, tell us how

 It feels to be God’s Son!

 JESUS

 Of what they do, these men know naught

 So Father, one thing I crave:

 That you forgive these men their sins 

 And let their souls be saved.

 All men and women on the earth

 Behold my head, my hands, my feet!

 Let not my suffering be in vain:

 My work is now complete.

 SOLDIERS

 You that destroyed the temple

 and said you could raise it again,

 You that are God almighty,

 say you don’t feel any pain!

 Brave with words, his power’s now gone

 As Pilate decreed, the deed is done;

 Let’s draw lots to see who gets

 His coat - It’s me! I’ve won!

Let’s go back now and report back to base

We’ve slaughtered the scourge of the human race.