The Taxman Comes*

Today the taxman comes
To extract a handful of joy
To bend our knees and demand
The burning of incense
The slaughtering of a bull
But today is not like the other days
Today we make our stand

Today we say
"NO!
Not today
Not this time!"
Today we put up a shield
Of heavenly Sacrifice
And bring to our lips
The wisdom of the Lord
Today we put on the full armor of God
And go on the offensive

Today we dig up the carpet
Of bones and grime and sagging bodies so full of unlife
And knock over the high places
Where we once bowed
And tear out by the roots
The glass roses of vainglory
On this day we throw off all the vestiges
Of worldly authority
And speak
With honor and reverence and tenderness
The Name of the King
First in a whisper
Then in a roar

Today is the day the taxman comes
Today is the day the taxman runs