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“Just Chant”: Abbey Student Writes Song For Belmont Abbey Monks

Abbey Sophomore Anthony Wyatt sings an ode to Vespers to the tune of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance.”

Belmont Abbey College recently introduced The Crusader Online (www.theCrusaderOnline.com), a weekly online newsletter, written and edited by Abbey students. In the latest issue, Abbey sophomore Anthony Wyatt submitted a video of a song he wrote about Vespers (evening prayer), sung to the tune of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance.”  The copy below was pulled directly from Wyatt’s article “Just Chant.”

“Here’s a song dedicated to the Belmont Abbey monks and their evening Vespers.

“The other day, I was driving around Charlotte with my roommate and we were listening to the radio. Lady Gaga’s ‘Just Dance’ happened to come on, and it gave me the crazy idea that someone should make a parody of it about monks and call it ‘Just Chant.’ On Sunday evening, I did just that. I sat down with my guitar, opened up iTunes, and proceeded to learn how to play ‘Just Dance.’ Although there was no way I could make my acoustic guitar sound like a synthesizer, I was at least able to learn the general chords. From there, I found the lyrics on the internet and began to rewrite the words to fit a Vespers theme. A few hours later and the song was complete. After filming it and uploading it to YouTube, it is now up for the world to see. Below the video are the lyrics to the song for anyone who is curious to know. And, I must admit, even though some of the phrases might not make perfect sense, I afforded myself a little artistic liberty so that I could make it sound as close to the original as possible. Now, without any further ado, here it is:”

(Click the image above to start the video. It will link you to YouTube.)

Just Chant Lyrics

Verse

I’ve been in the cloisters too much.
The other monks they start to rush.
How do we chant the psalm? I cannot find a stall.
What number is the hymn tonight?

What’s going on with the thurible?
I love this antiphon, but I can’t seem to see through the smoke.
Keep my cool, what is the melody?
I can’t remember but it’s alright.

Chorus

Just chant, like the good old days.
Just chant, we’re at vespers hey.
Just chant, gonna be okay.
Just chant.

Verse

Wish I could sing a bit less loud.
How did I miss the flex just now?
Control your voices man, stay on the rhythm and
Raise up your words in prayer tonight.

Where’s my hood, I don’t know?
I think it got unbuttoned but I can’t see it anymore.
Keep my cool, what is the melody?
I can’t remember but it’s alright.

Chorus

Verse

When I flip to another page checking out that antiphon.
Can’t believe my eyes, so many habits in the choir stall.
And I ain’t gonna give it up, steady just pick it up at the start.
I’ma chant it, I’ma chant it and flex and do it until another bar.

Brother I can see that you got so much energy
The way you’re voice is ringing out so loud and clear.
And now there’s no reason at all why you can’t be cantor soon,
In the meantime just keep up the great sound.

Chorus

Bridge

Apostolic, Latin Phonics
Got a psalter, it’s not Coptic.
Apostolic, Latin Phonics
Got a psalter, Crescat on it. (x2)

Go! Catholic bustle, chant it out, sing it, hustle
We got it, just keep the right note and get it.
Don’t slow! Find it, keep it, rhythmic beat it
There’s the last note.
Salve Regin-o
Chorus (x2) 

Visit www.theCrusaderOnline.com to keep up with what’s going on at Belmont Abbey College….from our students!