Elijah on Mount Carmel – As retold to children
It came to pass one dusty day,
King Ahab, in his fine array
Just showed up at Elijah’s place
And called him out right to his face:
“Elijah, I been told its you
who stopped the rain. Now is it true?
Are you the one who caused our grief?
The land is dry. We need relief!”
Elijah stood up straight and tall.
“No sir.” he said, and that’s not all.
“You and your daddy are to blame
for turning from Jehovah’s name.
Now everybody follows Baal.
Those idols cover hill and dale!
It can’t go on this way no more.
It’s time to settle up the score!”
Elijah, righteous man of Light
won’t back down when he knows what’s right.
Elijah, he just won’t give in.
He’s on God’s side so he knows Who’ll win.
“Mount Carmel’s where I’ll make my stand.
Go get everybody in the land
And bring ’em right here to this spot.
We’ll see who is God and who is not!”
Now, the prophets of Baal: four hundred and fifty
Each and everyone a-lookin’ shifty,
Showed up on the mountainside.
But Elijah he just hit his stride.
“Four hundred prophets share the table
With Jezebel whenever they’re able.
Bring them too! You’ll need them all.
I tell you right now I’m makin’ the call.
I got just the deal that’ll do the trick.
We can settle it now and make it stick.
There is only one God Who will not fail,
And I’m telling you know His Name ain’t Baal!”
Elijah, righteous man of Light
won’t back down when he knows what’s right.
Elijah, he just won’t give in.
He’s on God’s side so he knows Who’ll win.
Everyone in town was there to see
the outcome. Just what would it be?
“Come on!”, shouts Elijah, “Straighten out your head!
Does your god live or is he dead?
Let’s take a test and see who’s hot.
Let fire from heaven decide or not.
Just build an altar; Put a bull on top
and call your god to consume the crop!”
“The One Who answers, let Him be God!”
The people they just gave a nod.
The prophets of Baal? They gave their best.
They put their god straight to the test.
They called on Baal for hours and hours.
Their voices grew hoarse, but still no showers.
No shower of fire down from above.
Was He asleep? Did He need a shove?
Elijah mocks. The prophets cry.
The sun just moves across the sky.
The shadows lengthen and still they chant.
Their “god” won’t answer, or maybe He can’t.
They cut themselves with dagger and lance.
They leap and run and jump and dance.
“Enough’s, enough!” Elijah shouts.
“Your god ain’t home! There ain’t no doubt!”
Elijah, righteous man of Light
won’t back down when he knows what’s right.
Elijah, he just won’t give in.
He’s on God’s side so he knows Who’ll win.
Now, Elijah built his altar, just the same,
But dug a trench round about the frame.
“Now pour on water! Four barrels full!
I know they’re heavy! Come on now, Pull!
Now do it again and a third time too!
I want that trench full of wet and blue!”
Now y’all get quiet! I’m fixin’ to pray
And ask The Lord to come today!”
Elijah’s prayer was short and sweet.
He didn’t run or kick his feet.
He just said, “Lord show us this day
Who’s Lord of all that You survey.
And show these folks that You Alone
Are God and you ain’t built of stone.”
And from the sky, the fire fell,
so all the people they could tell.
The crowd was silent; in total shock!
Here was a God knew how to rock!
They fell face down. There was no doubt,
as everyone took up the shout:
The Lord, He Is GOD!
The Lord, He Is GOD!
The Lord, He Is GOD!
Elijah, righteous man of Light
won’t back down when he knows what’s right.
Elijah, he just won’t give in.
He’s on God’s side so he knows Who’ll win.
Copyright Kent McDonald
ASCAP 7-18-1991
