the church of the universe

My home town of Guelph is also the erstwhile abode of The Church of the Universe - a grass roots movement of peace loving pot smoking naturists led by Rev. Walter Tucker. After being chased out of a local stone quarry they settled in an abandoned foundry. Our local paper, The Guelph Mercury, kept us informed about Rev. Tucker's court appearances and the eventual sale of the contaminated property to John Long, another colourful local.

The Church of the Universe

the church of the universe was founded on smoke
and the high priest wore nothing but a hemp hat and cloak
in the church of the universe there was a gag when they spoke
the policeman delivered the punchline but still missed the joke

there's an island of laughter in an ocean of sleep
and a smile on the sky I can read it in heat
there's an island of laughter in an ocean of grief
and the church of the universe was some small relief

the church of the universe was a mercurial quarry
and when we all got Tuckered out there was another Long story
the church of the universe was built in a trash heap
in the ruins left behind after the cash reap

there's an island of laughter in an ocean of sleep
and a smile on the sky I can read it in heat
there's an island of laughter in an ocean of grief
and the church of the universe was some small relief

the church of the universe was founded on smoke
and the high priest wore nothing but a hemp hat and cloak



all lyrics/music copyright 2003 randy sutherland from the CD 'the sky starts at your feet'