Yes, when I sang George Fox, using Sydney's words, in the Friends Meeting House in Hertford a couple of years ago in a concert some of them were quite surprised at them. But they joined in the chorus all right. (Except that, the way I know it and sing it, the chorus ends "You are pulling down the pillars of the world, George Fox", as an accusation by the worldlywise, rather than a boast. Which I think works better. Less arrogant.)

I wouldn't take any notice of any amendments some committee somewhere might have tried. I'm afraid I'd be inclined to call that change "messing up" rather than "cleaning up". Though Sydney Carter took some pride in being told he never sang his own songs twice the same way, so I'd not be the least surprised to hear he might have sung it this way on occasion. (He definitely sang "You are pulling down the pillars...")