In his second State of the Union Address on January 28, 2003, President George W. Bush suggested that there is "wonder-working power" in social services provided by religious organizations. This phrase, especially when pronounced with Bush's Texas accent as "pow'r", evokes an old favorite (white) Protestant hymn. Since it's so wonderfully politically incorrect, I reproduce it for you (don't worry, it's public domain).

How did Jesus' blood become a laundry detergent for the soul? The metaphor goes back to the Bible (1 John 1:7 (But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.); Revelation 1:5 Jesus "who loved us, washed us from our sins in his own blood"). It comes from a long tradition of using blood in the sacrifice of animals, for example, the Jews put it on their door posts and lintels in Egypt when God sent the Angel to kill the first born of the Egyptians. See also Exodus 24:8 "And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people , and said, Behold the blood of the covenant , which the Lord has made with you .. "

This country favorite was written by Lewis E. Jones in 1899. Jones wrote this song at a camp meeting at Mountain Lake Park, Maryland. Equating "white" with "good" or "Christian" may not have sounded so sinister then as it does today, but the parody by Joe Hill, which follows, suggests that the hymn sounded naive even in its heyday.

THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you over evil a victory win?
There's wonderful power in the blood.

There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide;
There's wonderful power in the blood.

There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Sin stains are lost in its life giving flow.
There's wonderful power in the blood.

There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Would you do service for Jesus your King?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There's wonderful power in the blood.

There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

And here's a protest song by Joe Hill, to be sung to the same tune:

THERE IS POWER IN A UNION

Would you have freedom wage slavery, then
Join in the Grand Industrial Band;
Would you from mis'ry and hunger be free?
Then come! Do your share like a man.

CHORUS

There is pow'r, there is pow'r in a band of Working men,
when they stand, hand in hand.
That's a pow'r, that's a pow'r tht must rule in ev'ry land-
One Industrial Union Grand.

Would you have mansions of gold in the sky,
And live in a shack, way in the back?
Would you have wings up in heaven to fly,
And starve here with rags on your back?

-Chorus-

If you've had 'nuff of the "blood of the lamb,"
Then join in the Grand Industrial Band;
If, for a change, you would have eggs and ham,
Then come! Do your share like a man.

-Chorus-

If you like sluggers to beat off your head,
Then don't organize, all unions despise,
If you want nothing before you are dead,
Shake hands with your boss and look wise.

-Chorus-

Come all ye workers, from every land,
Come, join in the Grand Industrial Band,
Then we our share of this earth shall demand.
Come on! Do your share like a man.

-Chorus-

http://www.pbs.org/joehill/voices/thereispower.html