Lyrics

When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law;

Though Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.

Luther’s father Hans Luder (Luther) was a mining entrepreneur who worked hard to put Martin through Law school at Erfurt University. Luther did not like law school & soon dropped out.

Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne

Luther was caught in a terrible storm wherein he thought he’d die. He prayed to the patron saint of miners, St. Anne (traditionally the mother of Mary)

I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian!

Luther had vowed that if he was spared death during the storm, that he’d become a monk. He chose the Augustinian order, which claimed its founder as Augustine of Hippo known for his very “Calvinistic” teachings.

Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiationⁱ

Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!

Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!

Referring to Luther’s 95 Theses whereof it is traditionally believed he nailed them to the church door of his city, Wittenberg.

When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter's profits soared

Johann Tetzel was a Roman Catholic friar that was tasked to go about Europe selling Indulgences to raise money to fund the building of a church in Rome called St. Peter’s. Wittenberg was Luther’s home city.

I wrote a little notice for the All Saints' Bull'tin board

Another reference to posting the 95 Theses on the church door. Tradition says that public posting were commonly nailed to a city’s church door.

You cannot purchase merits, for we're justified by grace!

Referring to Luther’s most famous teaching, “justification by faith…alone” though Luther was not the first to teach it.

Here's 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face!"

They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror

Luther often wrote “tracts” or little booklets. These were often printed, sometimes without his urging or permission by local printers & sold to the German public. People liked his tracts because not only did they challenge the Roman Catholic authority, but were simple enough for many non-theologians to understand.

The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.

Referring to Luther’s “trial” in the city of Worms before Emperor Charles V.

"Are these your books?  Do you recant?" King Charles did demand

I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!"

A play on the fact that Luther’s “trial” was called the “Diet of Worms” which simply means conference at Worms the city.

Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words

Referring to the Duke Frederick, which protected Luther from the Roman Catholic Church, by refusing to hand Luther over to their authority.

By knighting "George" as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.

Referring to the situation where Duke Frederick had Luther disguise as a knight named George & hide in the Wartburg castle for almost a year. Kingdom of the Birds refers to another time Luther was hidden away in Coburg Castle during  the Diet of Augsburg. Luther felt like a hostage having to hide away like this. (thanks to Fugli for correcting the Kingdom of the Birds reference)

Use Brother Martin's model if the languages you seek…Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek!

Referring to Luther’s translating the Latin Bible into the language of German while in exile at Wartburg. Luther attempted to translate directly from the Hebrew & Greek.

Let's raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place

Referring to German beer drinking mugs often made of stone or metal called “steins”. A Concord Book is a book of Lutheran doctrines but this book was not compiled until after Luther’s death.

And spread the word that 'catholic' is spelled with lower case

The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance

So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance!

Referring to Luther’s wife Kathrina Von Bora Luther. A lute is a musical instrument.