When I sing one song a local songwriter wrote I don't change the lyrics, but I do change the order in which some of the choruses are sung. And I have her permission to do so.

In her Forge a Link she invites the audience to sing along and ends with:

Did you do what you came to do, say what you want to say
Did you make this world a better place to live and work and play
Did you share their love and joy and pain and help them on their way
Did you forge a link in the holy chain to build a brighter day?

In an earlier chorus, she sings 'I' rather than 'you'. I end with I in the final chorus instead because I is inclusive and invites the audience to look inward, while I feel that You at that spot is confrontational and accusatory.

I feel it makes it a better song- but would others say that I'm negating the songwriter's message?

Ebbie