The Anointing Song (He must be recognised)

Lyrics

About this song

He must be recognised…
I'll make a fool of myself
It's time to take the prize…
I'll make a fool of myself

We know he's the Messiah
It's the time that God appointed,
There's one more thing to do…
He has to be anointed!

The ointment costs too much…
I'll make a fool of myself.
They'll shower me with reproach…
I'll make a fool of myself.

If Elijah isn't coming
To be herald of the kingdom
The job still needs doing -
It'll have to be a woman.

It will bring me shame…
I'll make a fool of myself.
But, for the sake of his name,
I'll make a fool of myself.

In this song Mary debates with herself about her intention to anoint Jesus. This was a bold and controversial act with deep significance. Jesus emphasised just how important this event was when he said it would be remembered wherever the gospel was preached (see Mark 14:9).

The reference to Elijah recalls of a prophecy that Elijah would return as herald of the kingdom of the Messiah (see Malachi 4:5). And one of Elijah's distinctive callings was to anoint kings (see 1 Kings 19:15-16). John the Baptist was understood to be at least a partial fulfilment of this prophecy (see Matthew 11:14) but he did not anoint Jesus. So Mary concludes that it is up to her to do it before it's too late.