DIVES AND LAZARUS
These two songs are based on the story of the rich man and Lazarus in LUKE 16:19. (From this parable we also get the well-known phrase, "in Abraham's bosom," meaning Heaven.) The rich man was given the name "Dives" (meaning "rich") in later translations of the Bible. The second song makes use of the typological figure of Jesus as the Rock, whose immediate source is probably Paul's typological reading of Israel's history: "They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:3).
HE PRAYED TOO LATE
He prayed but his prayer was too late. Oh there was a rich man who lived back in the Bible days. Oh, he was rich all right and everything seemed to go his way, but he would not feed the poor man, Lazarus, who lay begging at his gate. And one day he prayed, oh, but his prayer was, it was too late. Oh, Lord, that's why I don't mind standing up, knowing where I'll be to say these words. Oh, yes, he prayed, he prayed too late. He prayed too late to get admitted at the golden gate, so many people going around looking for excuses, but he heard, he heard the Word of God, he heard it in time, oh it's sad to think about it but the prayed, oh but his prayer was too late, was too late, my Lord. Do you know that my Bible told me it came to pass that the poor man died in the Bosom of Abraham he had an everlasting life and it told me when the rich man died in Hell he lifted his eyes and that's when he prayed but, oh but his prayer was too late. Let me hear you say it again, boys, oh, oh, yes he prayed too late, he prayed too late to enter at the golden door, the golden gate. Yeah, he heard the Word of God in time, but when he prayed, his prayer was too late. My Lord, my Lord, my Lord.These two songs are based on the story of the rich man and Lazarus in LUKE 16:19. (From this parable we also get the well-known phrase, "in Abraham's bosom," meaning Heaven.) The rich man was given the name "Dives" (meaning "rich") in later translations of the Bible. The second song makes use of the typological figure of Jesus as the Rock, whose immediate source is probably Paul's typological reading of Israel's history: "They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:3).
HE PRAYED TOO LATE
I'VE GOT A HOME IN THAT ROCK
I've got a home in that Rock, don't you see? (Don't you see?) (2) It's between the earth and sky, for I heard my Savior cry. I've got a home in that Rock, don't you see? Rich man, Dives lived so well, don't you see? (Don't you see?) (2) Rich man, Dives lived so well, when he died he had a home in Hell, he had no home in that Rock, don't you see? Songs Week of 30 May 2006
The Agnus Dei is taken from the Gospel of John, when John the Baptist names Jesus the "Lamb of God." As part of the Catholic mass, this has been set to music by countless composers. Andrew Lloyd-Webber (Cats, Evita, Phantom of the Opera) set it to music in his Requiem mass for his father, as part of the Pie Jesu, which became a hit:
The Agnus Dei is taken from the Gospel of John, when John the Baptist names Jesus the "Lamb of God." As part of the Catholic mass, this has been set to music by countless composers. Andrew Lloyd-Webber (Cats, Evita, Phantom of the Opera) set it to music in his Requiem mass for his father, as part of the Pie Jesu, which became a hit:
AGNUS DEI (PIE JESU)
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi dona eis requiem sempiternam.Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, give them eternal rest.
*As a language footnote, observe how the cognates there between Latin and English words: deity, impeccable, mundane, donation, sempiternal.
NICODEMUS
In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches the Pharisee Nicodemus how a grown man can be born a second time. " In terms of "Form Criticism," this story may be another attempt to separate the new Christians from the older Jewish religion. "Born again" has become part of the language:
A man came to Jesus and said, "What must I do to be saved from the wicked ways. I'm weary, I'm wounded. From the start of my life, I've been torn! Lord I need a change." "Nicodemus, your soul must be saved! Nicodemus, turn from your wicked ways. Nicodemus, hear me when I say, you must be born again, yes you must be born again.In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches the Pharisee Nicodemus how a grown man can be born a second time. " In terms of "Form Criticism," this story may be another attempt to separate the new Christians from the older Jewish religion. "Born again" has become part of the language:
OH HAPPY DAY
The "happy day" refers to being accepted by Jesus. This song became a huge hit in the pop market in the 1960s:Oh happy day Oh happy day Oh happy happy day;
Oh happy day When Jesus washed Oh when he washed
When Jesus washed He washed my sins away! Oh happy day Oh happy day He taught me how He taught me Taught me how to watch He taught me how to watch and pray and we'll rejoice each and every day.
COWBOY CAMP MEETING
This is a very rare Cowboy Gospel song about the Resurrection, referring to the Book of Life in Revelation:
I saw the light (and I got the word) I know that it's rightThis is a very rare Cowboy Gospel song about the Resurrection, referring to the Book of Life in Revelation:
(and have you heard) I'm gonna Ride (cowboy camp meeting) Ride (cowboy camp meeting) Ride (cowboy camp meeting) Ride on the golden range (up in the sky)
way up in the sky (up in the sky) way up in the sky
(yes I'll have a cowboy camp meeting) Hallelujah brother yes sir ree yes sirree way up in the sky Well the Brother Buffalo Bill and Sister Lou's gonna be there brother Like me and you. And Old Kit Carson he will too way up in the sky They're gonna Ride (cowboy camp meeting) Ride (cowboy camp meeting) Ride (cowboy camp meeting) Ride on the golden range (up in the sky)
way up in the sky (up in the sky) way up in the sky
(Yes we'll have a cowboy camp meeting) Hallelujah brother yes sir ree yes sir ree Yes way up in the sky
(up in the sky) Gather 'round me children, get your bibles out Get your prayer bones ready, gonna tell ya about How to love one another til you almost shout
Start the livin' by the Book of Life I mean it Hallelujah Hallelujah (tell me brother)Hallelujah, brother
Tell me about the Book of Life. There's a Matthew, a Timothy, a Jude and a John And a Zephaniah, a Zachariah and a Philemon They all got the word, but you must read on 'bout Goliath and the Book of Life,
Yes siree...hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah hallelujah brother Tell me about Goliath too. Little David slew that giant so tall prove right less might for big and small he'll play his harp as I recall way up in the sky
he's gonna play (cowboy camp meeting) Play (cowboy camp meeting) Play (cowboy camp meeting) Play on the golden harp Up in the sky Way up in the sky (up in the sky) Way up in the sky Yes he'll play (Cowboy camp meeting) Hallelujah brother yes siree yes sir ree
Way up in the sky Way up in the sky Way up in the sky
(cowboy camp meeting) way up in the sky Away up in the sky Away up in the sky
GREAT DAY
This Gospel song is about the Parousia, or Second Coming of Jesus ("Great Day"), as is promised in the Gospel. The second part of the song is difficult to make out, but the vocal is stunning:
Come on let's get ready for that great day (3), who shall be able to stand? (2) ??? from down on high. I see Him coming down from the sky. Who shall be able to stand?This Gospel song is about the Parousia, or Second Coming of Jesus ("Great Day"), as is promised in the Gospel. The second part of the song is difficult to make out, but the vocal is stunning:
CAN'T NO GRAVE HOLD MY BODY DOWN
Another Resurrection song:
It was early one morning just about the break of day, angels came from glory and rolled the stone away, when the women came along child and found that their Savior was gone. Can't no grave hold my body down (3) when that first trumpet sounds yes I'm going to get up out of the ground. Can't no grave hold my body down. Don't want you to blow that trumpet till you get orders from me. Yes the night is almost gone and the day is coming on, can't no grave hold my body down.Another Resurrection song:
TWO LITTLE FISHES, FIVE LOAVES OF BREAD
This Gospel song refers to the feeding of the multitudes, told in all four Gospels, with an emphasis on John's message, that Bread is merely a symbol of Love (the Bread of Life, in one of Jesus' "I Am" sayings):
A crowd of people went out into the desert to listen to what the good Lord said, all day long they heard the good Lord's word then they got hungry and had to be fed on only two little fishes and five loaves of bread. The good Lord stood up, told his disciples to bring him the loaves of bread instead, bring the fishes by and let him try a little idea that he had his head about those two little fishes and five loaves of bread. Hear what I say if we could all love one another then the world would be fed on only two little fishes and five loaves of bread.
HOLY SPIRIT
This Gospel song is a hymn to the Holy Spirit, revealed on the day of Pentecost to Jesus' disciples:
Holy Spirit come in the room, come on in the room, oh come on in the room. Holy Spirit come on in the room, bless my soul, bless my soul, bless my soul. (2) Someone in the building needs you, come on in the room. Well we can't do nothing Lord, come on in the room. We can't do nothing Lord until you come on in the room, bless my soul, bless my soul. We need your power, come on in the room, come on in the room. Yes we need your power, come on in the room, bless my soul, bless my soul, Lord I need you to bless my soul. We need your fire, come on in the room, come on in the room, yeah, we need the fire, come on Lord, I want you to bless my soul. Blessed Jesus, come on in the room, yeah. We need you right now, come on in the room and bless my soul. Yeah, bless my soul. Can't nobody else bless me but you Jesus, you know what I need.This Gospel song is a hymn to the Holy Spirit, revealed on the day of Pentecost to Jesus' disciples:
GOD'S DELAY IS NOT A DENY
This Gospel song refers to the famous story of Lazarus in the Gospel of John:
Mary and Martha were hurrying 'cause Lazarus had just died. They laughed when they saw Jesus come in and on his shoulder they cried. Jesus said, "Show me where you laid him." The sisters wondered why, but Jesus said this test is for a testimony because God's delay is not a deny. Listen there was a woman with an issue plan, she tried all the doctors in town, but on the doctors she spent all her money, no help could be found. But one day she heard about Jesus, that he would soon be passing by. She reached out in faith and got healed that day, God's delay is not a deny. Be of good courage. God will Keep on trusting him, he's able, his love will never depart, it will never depart. We'll wait for victory, we'll wait for victory. Every now and then sorrow will bring tears to your eyes. Stand still he hasn't forgotton (2), I don't care what you've been through, don't move to the right or to the left. Lord hold on, hold on. Somebody reach up and get a grip, hold on to Jesus. Just wait, hallelujah. Just wait. David said I waited patiently on the Lord and he inclined on to me and heard my cry. Put a new song in my heart, cause I waited. Just wait, just wait, stand still, he hasn't forogotten, cause his delay is not a deny.This Gospel song refers to the famous story of Lazarus in the Gospel of John:
CRUCIFIED IN CHRIST
This recent Gospel song refers to St. Paul's Theology of the Cross, which Paul sees as glory and freedom rather than shame, since the Old Self is crucified allowing the New Self to live:
You think that no one understands when you don't feel strong, hey, I got an answer for you. There's a way that's light and easy, it's true. He knows when you fall. So get up and go on and I want you to know that you don't have to all alone. Even with tears in your eyes count it all joy until the time, until you make it through the storm. Turn from your past, say, say goodbye remember you were crucified with Christ. You were crucified with Christ, yeah, oh yeah so let the weak say I'm stong, I'm strong. So read the word, renew your mind, oh, oh, when they tried to remind you the road you used to travel can be a distant memory, you decide the wind and the waves stare you in the face put on your armor and don't run away, I know that Jesus is there so just cast all yor care, it will be all right. Even with tears in your eyes count it all joy until the time, until you make it through the storm. Turn from your past, say, say goodbye remember you were crucified with Christ. You were crucified with Christ, with Christ. And when you know you got a weakness he will be strong. On that day ou will say you belong in the presence of the Lord, so let Him reign, let Him reign, let Him reign in your heart, in your heart. Even with tears in your eyes count it all joy until the time, until you make it through the storm. Turn from your past, say, say goodbye remember you were crucified with Christ. He was crucified so you and I could live. That's why I'm so glad, you were crucified with Christ, you were crucified with Christ.This recent Gospel song refers to St. Paul's Theology of the Cross, which Paul sees as glory and freedom rather than shame, since the Old Self is crucified allowing the New Self to live:
STAND BY ME
This is one of the most famous Gospel songs, about trust in Jesus:
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me (stand by me). When the storms of life are raging, stand by me (stand by me). When the world is tossing me like a ship out on the sea, Thou who rulest wind and water stand by me.When I'm growing old and feeble, stand by me. When I'm growing old and feeble, stand by me. When I do the best I can and my friends misunderstand, Thou who never lost a battle, stand by me.(2)This is one of the most famous Gospel songs, about trust in Jesus:
IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE
This Gospel song is based on a promise made by Jesus in the Gospel of John that, "In my Father's House [Heaven] are many mansions":
In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not true He would have told me so. He has gone away to live in that bright city, He's preparing me a mansion, that I know. Jesus died upon the cross to bear my sorrow, freely that souls like you might have new life. But I know that soon there'll come a bright tomorrow when the world will all be free from sin and strife. Do not shun the Savior's love from up in glory or you won't be there to see the Gospel story, in my Father's house are many mansions, if you're true then to this land you'll surely go.This Gospel song is based on a promise made by Jesus in the Gospel of John that, "In my Father's House [Heaven] are many mansions":
I, JOHN
This is a fairly close rendering of the opening and closing chapters of the Book of Revelation:
Oh well, I, John, he saw a mighty number a way up in the middle of the air I, John he saw mighty numberThis is a fairly close rendering of the opening and closing chapters of the Book of Revelation:
Way in the middle of the air. God Almighty! John, you saw mighty numbers Way up in the middle of the air
Well there were three gates in the east And there were three gates in the west Three gates in the north Three gates in the south And that makes twelve gates to the city all square wide John, you saw might numbers way up in the middle of the air Well John declared that he saw a man He held twelve bright stars in his right hand
Well his eyes flashed fire like the burning sun
Old John got scared and he wanted to run Well he wanted to run but his feet wouldn't go Cause he felt the gospel cutting like a two-edged sword And he heard a voice that said John, you take a look And read what you see and then you write it in a book And he saw twelve angels in the east And there were twelve angels in the west Twelve angels in the north, Twelve angels in the south That's a total of forty-eight angels to the city, four squared wide. Hallelujah, God Almighty!
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN
Another reference to the story of Nicodemus from the Gospel of John:
Long ago I didn't know nothing about Jesus and his love. I had heard about it but I had never felt it, this manna that comes frrom above. When this life of sin I could no longer stand, I asked my mother, how could I get to know the Man, she said you must be, don't you see, you got to be born again. Oh, yes. The answer is you've go to have the Holy Ghost, that power of love, that burning feeling that keeps the prayer wheel turning. You cannot conceal it, it makes you move, it makes you shout, you cry that it's real. You know my soul's been anchored in Jesus' name. You know I'm free from guilt and I'm free from sin, keep You must have that fire in the Holy Ghost, that burning thing that keeps the haloes turning, you can't conceal it, it makes you move, it makes you shout, it has the power. My soul's been anchored in my Jesus' name. You know I'm free from guilt and I'm free from sin, after being I've been born again.Another reference to the story of Nicodemus from the Gospel of John:
IN THE UPPER ROOM
This refers to the "upper room" where Jesus has his Last Supper with his 12 apostles:
In the upper room with Jesus, standing right here, blessed fears.Daily there my sins confessing Begging for his mercy sweet Trusting in his grace and power Seeking there his love in prayer In there I feel the Holy Spirit As I stand with Him in prayer. Oh, it's In the upper room with Jesus, oh it's in the upper room with my Lord and nobody. Well it's in the upper room, yes, it's in, it's in the upper room, well it's in the upper room, talking with the Lord. Oh, my, hallelujah, Lord.This refers to the "upper room" where Jesus has his Last Supper with his 12 apostles:
CALVARY
This is the hill on which Jesus was crucified:
Calvary, Calvary. Lord, surely he died on Calvary. Can you hear him call his Father? Can you hear him calling his Father? Can you hear him calling His father, surely oh surely surely oh surely he died on Calvary. This is the hill on which Jesus was crucified:
Songs Week of 16 May 2006
JESUS
Jesus, my Jesus, oh how I love to call your name. Oh, Jesus, oh sweet Jesus, everyday your name is the same. When I've troubles around me and I didn't have to despair, Lord you told me that you'd be right there. It seemed like all my problems had just begun, but I didn't have to worry no more: they're already won. Oh, Jesus, oh Jesus, Oh how I love calling your name. Oh, Jesus, sweet Jesus, oh every day, yes it is, your name is the same. I remember the time when I felt so all alone, when I needed you Jesus all I had to do was call. Sometimes it was in the morning, sometimes late at night but when I got up on my knees, Jesus, everything was all right. Oh, Jesus, my Rose of Sharon, my Lily of the Valley, calling your name. Oh, Jesus, Jesus, every day, yes it is, every day is the same. Oh, Jesus, nobody but Jesus, oh how I love to call on your Holy name. Oh, Jesus, nobody but Jesus everyday, hallelujah, every day is the same. Oh, Jesus, my love of Jesus, my love of Jesus, I love calling your name. The Dies Irae
The Dies Irae (Day of Wrath), based on a Christian poem in Latin, comes from the "Day of the Lord" text in Zephaniah: "That day will be a day of wrath" (1:15). This text, part of the Requiem mass (mass for the dead) has fascinated composers for centuries, allowing for spectacular musical effects, often of horror (even Andrew Lloyd-Webber, composer of Cats and Phantom of the Opera, set it to music). We hear part of a Gregorian chant, followed by Verdi's famous Requiem setting:| Dies irae, dies illa solvet saeclum in favilla teste David cum Sibylla. | Day of wrath, day of tears, dissolves the world in ashes, as said by David and the Sibyl. |
The Lacrimosa (as in English, "lachrymose" or tearful) is also from the Day of Wrath text, included in Requiem masses. Mozart's setting of these words (probably the last music he wrote, on his deathbed) are deeply moving, the words softly flowing like tears; while the same text inspired Berlioz to a sound picture of fury, as the chorus hammers home each syllable of the opening words:
| Lacrimosa, dies illa qua resurget ex favilla judicandus homo reus. | On this day full of tears, when from the ashes arises guilty man, to be judged. |
JESUS PAID THE DEBT
The death of Jesus was intended to be the final sacrifice, equal to the sins of the world, therefore never having to be repeated. The idea was that no possible sacrifice (such as thousands of bulls) could satisfy the all-powerful and all-good God except a sacrifice that was actually equal to God; this could only be God himself. But this would be impossible unless God himself found a way to make this happen, by giving his Son for this purpose.
I was a wanderer far away from God, I had suffered in my bosom and my way was mighty hard. Then I heard that Gospel story, how he came down from his throne in glory. He paid the debt, I know he paid the debt for you and me. He paid the debt, Jesus paid the debt. He paid the debt, he paid the debt. I know he paid the debt, he paid the debt for you and me. You know he stretched out on the tree and then he died on rugged Calvary. That's why I know that Jesus paid the debt for you and me. He paid the debt, he paid the debt., oh yeah, Jesus paid the debt, oh yeah, well it was Jesus who paid the debt a long time ago. You know he stretched out on the tree on Calvary. You know Jesus paid the debt for you and me.The death of Jesus was intended to be the final sacrifice, equal to the sins of the world, therefore never having to be repeated. The idea was that no possible sacrifice (such as thousands of bulls) could satisfy the all-powerful and all-good God except a sacrifice that was actually equal to God; this could only be God himself. But this would be impossible unless God himself found a way to make this happen, by giving his Son for this purpose.
GETHSEMANE
The Garden of Gethsemene is the place where Jesus begged God to take his cup of suffering away (Matthew 26:36ff.)
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus suffered there. The sweat became his blood they say, he spent the night in prayer. They whipped him up the mountain, made him carry his cross, he died to save the sinning man he died to save the lost. Who shall wear his garment divided in four parts, who shall wear the Savior's robe, we shall all cast lots. They gambled over the Savior's cloak, oh what a shame when Jesus was hanging on the cross they thought it was all a game. I wonder how the soldiers felt when the night turned black as night? Do you think they went and hid and trembled with fright. Who shall wear his garment divided in four parts, who shall wear the Savior's robe, we shall all cast lots. Do you think that they felt sorry for the wrong that they had done when they learned the Jew they crucified was God's own chosen son? My Savior was a humble man who did no wrong they say, now we call Easter morning when the angel rolled the stone away. Who shall wear his garments divided in four parts, who shall wear the Savior's robe? We shall all cast lots.The Garden of Gethsemene is the place where Jesus begged God to take his cup of suffering away (Matthew 26:36ff.)
OUR FATHER
The Lord's Prayer is also known as the Pater Noster or the "Our Father" (after its first words in Latin and English). This is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. This prayer also appears in the Gospel of Luke, with a few differences. The final doxology or praise ("For Thine is the kingdom," etc. was added in later Gospel texts probably from church influence). From Matthew 6:9ff.:
(1)
Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be thy holy name. Thy kingdom come, Lord, thy will be done, Lord, down here on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, Lord, our daily bread, Lord hear this prayer on my dying bed, then I'll come on home, Lord, Lord in your kingdom forever, Amen. Now when we've done forgive our sins, forgive our evils, please cleanse us within. Our Father, won't you hear this plea, don't ever turn, turn your back on me. Yeah, I know that I'm got to cross some time, Lord, stay within in this heart of mine. Oh, Lord. Thine is the kingdom, power, and the glory Amen.The Lord's Prayer is also known as the Pater Noster or the "Our Father" (after its first words in Latin and English). This is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. This prayer also appears in the Gospel of Luke, with a few differences. The final doxology or praise ("For Thine is the kingdom," etc. was added in later Gospel texts probably from church influence). From Matthew 6:9ff.:
(1)
(2)
Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be thy holy name. Thy kingdom come, Lord, thy will be done, Lord, down here on earth as it is in Heaven. Then give us this day our daily bread, Lord hear this prayer on my dying bed, then I'll come on home into your kingdom forever, Amen. This is the first prayer I learned to say and it has brought me, brought me here all the way. When I'm discouraged, worn out and weary, and my pathway seems so dreary. Lord lead us not, Lord, into temptation, yes, you are the maker of all creation, Thine is the kingdom, power, and the glory forever, Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
This is the most famous setting of the Lord's Prayer.
Our Father, Which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.This is the most famous setting of the Lord's Prayer.
TOUCH THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT
Sam Cooke's self-penned, Touch the Hem of His Garment is an example of how gospel songs are taken straight from the Bible, in this case the story of the woman who can't stop her bleeding (Matthew 9:20-22): "Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, 'If I only touch his cloak I will be healed.'" Like many Gospel singers, Cooke left Gospel and is credited with inventing what we now know as Soul music:
Oh, there was a woman in the Bible days. She had been sick, sick so very long. But she heard that Jesus was passing by, so she joined the gathering throng. and while she was pushing her way through, someone asked her, "What are you trying to do?" She said, "If I could just touch the hem of his garment I know I'll be made whole." She cried, "Oh, Lord, oh, Lord," [and] said, "If I could just touch the hem of his garment, I know I'll be made whole."Sam Cooke's self-penned, Touch the Hem of His Garment is an example of how gospel songs are taken straight from the Bible, in this case the story of the woman who can't stop her bleeding (Matthew 9:20-22): "Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, 'If I only touch his cloak I will be healed.'" Like many Gospel singers, Cooke left Gospel and is credited with inventing what we now know as Soul music:
Oh, she spent her money here and there, until she had no, had no more to spare. The doctors they done all they could, but their medicine would do no good. When she touched him, the Savior didn't see, but still he turned around and cried, "Somebody touched me." She said, "It was I who just want to touch the hem of your garment. I know I'll be made whole right now." She stood there, cryng "Oh, oh, I know, Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord." [She] said, "If I could just touch the hem of your garment, I know I'll be made whole right now."
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
A classic gospel song based on Matthew 10:29: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father."Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel lonely and long for Heavenly home? When Jesus is my portion, my constant friend is he. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.
I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free. Oh, his eye is on the sparrow and I know he's watching me.
JEHOVAH
This song refers to two well-known New Testament texts (the Lilies of the Field from Matthew 6:28) and Matthew 7:9-11: "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? . . . [H]ow much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
Consider the lilies of the field: Solomon dressed in royal robes has not the worth of them. Consider the lilies of the field. He takes after each and every need. Leave all your cares behind, seek him and you will find your father loves you so. Consider the creatures of the air. For all of the diamonds in all the earth have not the wealth of them. Consider the creatures of the air. Jehovah loves them with tender hand. He knows your every care. His touch is always there to see you through the night.This song refers to two well-known New Testament texts (the Lilies of the Field from Matthew 6:28) and Matthew 7:9-11: "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? . . . [H]ow much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
And Jehovah I love you so. And Jesus I want you to know, all you've done for me to set me free. I'll never let you go. (2)
Consider the lilies of the field. For how much more does he love his own, if Yaweh cares for them. Consider the creatures of the air. He takes after each and every need. If we ask him for bread, will he give us a stone? Jehovah loves his own.
And Jehovah I love you so. And Jesus I want you to know, all that you've done for me to set me free. I'll never let you go. (2)
PEACE, BE STILL
This gospel song, like the text (Matthew 8:23-27), goes back to Genesis, where God makes the sea and calls it "good," as in Psalm 89: "You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them" (v. 9). In the same Psalm, God promises David, "I will set his right hand over the sea" (v. 25).
Master, the tempest is raging! Oh, the billows are tossing high! The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness. No shelter or hope is nigh [near]. Carest thou not that we perish? How can thou lie asleep? It seems like each moment so madly is threatening oh, a grave, a grave, a grave in the angry deep! Get up, Jesus, because the winds and the waves shall obey thy will: Peace, be still, peace be still, peace be still, peace be still.This gospel song, like the text (Matthew 8:23-27), goes back to Genesis, where God makes the sea and calls it "good," as in Psalm 89: "You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them" (v. 9). In the same Psalm, God promises David, "I will set his right hand over the sea" (v. 25).
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea or demons or men or whatever it be, no waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies. They all shall sweetly obey thy will: Peace, peace, be still. the winds and the waves shall obey your will and all you got to say is peace be still. Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea or demons or men or whatever it be, no waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies. They all shall sweetly obey thy will: Peace, peace, be still. When you're lonely, when you're hopeless, Lord peace, peace, yes, peace, I'm looking for peace. Yes, yes, yes! Oh, peace, be still.
WOULD THEY LOVE HIM DOWN IN SHREVEPORT?
Each Jesus speaks for an age, as each age claims to speak for Jesus. It's commonly said that if Jesus did come back, he'd be hated and killed all over again, especially by those who have safe images of him pasted on their walls. This point is made by country singer, George Jones, who reminds us that Jesus had long hair, was a Jew and Palestinian, hung around with misfits, and had values few of us share today, any more than they did when Jesus lived.
If they saw him riding in, long hair flying in the wind, would they love him down in Shreveport today? If they heard he was a Jew and a Palestinian too, would they love him down in Nashville today? If they saw him talk with ease up to the junkies, drunks, and thieves, would they love him out in Wichita today? Would the rich men think it funny, if he said give up your money? Would they love him p on Wall Stree today? If he made the wine to water, gave it to their sons and daughters, what would the folks in Salt Lake City say? If he talked of brotherhood as he walked their neighborhood, would they love him up in Boston today? Oh, if he said love those who use you and forigve those who abuse you. If he turned the other cheek , what would they say? Would you laugh and call him crazy and then send him on his way, if he walked right into your town today? Oh, would you laugh and call him crazy and then send him on his way, if he walked right in to your town today?TO BEAT THE DEVIL
This song updates the Bible by showing Satan and Jesus as a cynical old man and an idealistic youth. As in the Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-10), the young folksinger (today's prophet) is tempted to give up hope of social change. He is in the wilderness ("the cold"), hungry (wanting "beans"), and (like Jesus) has a "pocket full of dreams." As Jesus left his pride to go into the wilderness, the singer "left my pride and stepped inside a bar." Instead of dust, there's "sawdust" and "friendly shadows." The old Devil puts him to the test ("show us what you are"), tempting him: "It's a tough life," and people don't listen anyway. The world belongs to the Devil, who offered it to Jesus (Matthew 4:9). But faith belongs to the singer (today's prophet) who, though knows the devil can't be beaten, but can be mocked. His beer and song are used for good instead of evil:
It was winter time in Nashville, down on Music City Row. And I was looking for a place to get myself out of the cold, to warm the frozen feeling that was eating at my soul and keep the chilly wind off my guitar; my thirsty wanted whiskey, my hungry neededThis song updates the Bible by showing Satan and Jesus as a cynical old man and an idealistic youth. As in the Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-10), the young folksinger (today's prophet) is tempted to give up hope of social change. He is in the wilderness ("the cold"), hungry (wanting "beans"), and (like Jesus) has a "pocket full of dreams." As Jesus left his pride to go into the wilderness, the singer "left my pride and stepped inside a bar." Instead of dust, there's "sawdust" and "friendly shadows." The old Devil puts him to the test ("show us what you are"), tempting him: "It's a tough life," and people don't listen anyway. The world belongs to the Devil, who offered it to Jesus (Matthew 4:9). But faith belongs to the singer (today's prophet) who, though knows the devil can't be beaten, but can be mocked. His beer and song are used for good instead of evil:
beans; but it'd been a month of pay days since I'd heard that eagle scream. So with a stomach full of empty and pocket full of dreams I left my pride and stepped inside a bar. Actually I guess you'd call it a tavern). Cigarette smoke to the ceiling and sawdust on the floor. Friendly shadows. I saw that there was just one old man sitting at the bar. And in the mirror I could see him checking me with my guitar. He turned and said "Come up here boy and show us what you are." I said "I'm dry" and he bought me a beer. He nodded at my guitar and said "It's a tough life ain't it?" I just looked at him and he said "You ain't making any money, are you?" I said "You've been reading my mail." He just smiled and said "Let me see that guitar: I got something you ought to hear." Then he laid it on me:
"If you waste your time a-talking to the people who don't listen to the things that you are saying, who do you think's going to hear? And if you should die explaining how the things that they complain about are things they could be changing, who do you think's going to care? There were other lonely singers in a world turned deaf and blind who were crucified for what they tried to show. And their voices have been scattered by the swirling winds of time, 'cause the truth remains that no-one wants to know!"
Well, the old man was a stranger, but I'd heard his song before―back when failure had me locked out on the wrong side of the door: when no-one stood behind me but my shadow on the floor―and lonesome was more than a state of mind. You see, the devil haunts a hungry man. If you don't want to join him, you've got to beat him. I ain't saying I beat the Devil, but I drank his beer for nothing, and then I stole his song!
And you still can hear me singing to the people who don't listen to the things that I am saying, praying someone's going to hear. And I guess I'll die explaining how the things that they complain about are things they could be changing, hoping someone's going to care. I was born a lonely singer and I'm bound to die the same, but I've got to feed the hunger in my soul. And if I never have a nickel I won't ever die of shame 'cause I don't believe that no-one wants to know!
THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'
Prophets still live among us, as the last song showed. This is one of Bob Dylan's most famous early folk songs and is based on Bible texts: But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19:30) and "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (20:16). This reversal of values is the basic theme of the later prophets as well as Jesus. For example, "the Day of the Lord" (that is, judgment) was reversed to apply to Jews rather than to the enemies of the (the "Jews" here meaning one's own people). But many other images in this song come from the Bible (the flood, the angry sea, false prophets and religious leaders, and the Last Judgment:Come gather 'round people Wherever you roam And admit that the waters Around you have grown And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone. If your time to you Is worth saving Then you better start swimming Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changing.Come writers and critics
Who prophecy with your pen And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin And there's no telling who That it's naming. For the loser now Will be later to win For the times they are a-changing. Come senators, congressmen Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway Don't block up the hall For he that gets hurt Will be he who has stalled There's a battle outside
And it is raging. It'll soon shake your windows And rattle your walls For the times they are a-changing.Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land And don't criticize What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters Are beyond your command, our old road is Rapidly aging. Please get out of the new one If you can't lend your hand For the times they are a-changing.The line it is drawn The curse it is cast The slow one now Will later be fast
As the present now Will later be past The order is Rapidly fading.
And the first one now Will later be last For the times they are a-changing.
Bible Songs: Daniel and the Minor Twelve
The book of Daniel is ranked with the Writings in the Jewish Bible but the Christian Bibles rank Daniel with the Five Major Prophets. The Jewish Bibles have only three major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel ("major" meaning book-length); the Christian Bibles consider Daniel also a major prophet, along with the book of Lamentations, making five major prophets). Because of the questionable historical basis of the book of Daniel and, moreover, because about half the book is not even in Hebrew but in Aramaic, the book had lesser standing in the Jewish canon. However, because of possible Messianic readings of the text (as indicated in my handout) and especially because of the clear statement of resurrection (the only undisputed claim for revival after death in the Old Testament), the book has greater importance for Christians. Regardless, for both Jews and Christians, Daniel has been of great inspiration throughout the ages, for persecuted Jews and Christians, since it teaches that God hears prayers and will save his "saints" from final destruction, whether in this world or the next. Daniel is the first true apocalypse in the Bible (apart from apocalyptic passages in the book prophets), suggesting that the book was written in a time of great despair. The rule is, apocalypse (a dream of final judgment) replaced prophecy (a plea for worldly judgment) as the hope of worldly judgment (judgment in this world) was lost. For this reason, the book of Revelation ends the Christian Bible in the only way it could have ended: on a hope of judgment in another world and another time.
Week of 9 May 2006
The book of Daniel is ranked with the Writings in the Jewish Bible but the Christian Bibles rank Daniel with the Five Major Prophets. The Jewish Bibles have only three major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel ("major" meaning book-length); the Christian Bibles consider Daniel also a major prophet, along with the book of Lamentations, making five major prophets). Because of the questionable historical basis of the book of Daniel and, moreover, because about half the book is not even in Hebrew but in Aramaic, the book had lesser standing in the Jewish canon. However, because of possible Messianic readings of the text (as indicated in my handout) and especially because of the clear statement of resurrection (the only undisputed claim for revival after death in the Old Testament), the book has greater importance for Christians. Regardless, for both Jews and Christians, Daniel has been of great inspiration throughout the ages, for persecuted Jews and Christians, since it teaches that God hears prayers and will save his "saints" from final destruction, whether in this world or the next. Daniel is the first true apocalypse in the Bible (apart from apocalyptic passages in the book prophets), suggesting that the book was written in a time of great despair. The rule is, apocalypse (a dream of final judgment) replaced prophecy (a plea for worldly judgment) as the hope of worldly judgment (judgment in this world) was lost. For this reason, the book of Revelation ends the Christian Bible in the only way it could have ended: on a hope of judgment in another world and another time.
Week of 9 May 2006
In a movie called Pulp Fiction, the assassin, played by Samuel L. Jackson, quotes (or misquotes) a text from Ezekiel before avenging a crime. First the young criminal is given a short Bible lesson:
"Do you read the Bible, Brett? Well there's this passage I got memorized. Ezekiel 25:17. 'The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.'"
Well great God Almighty, the Bible declared, Ezekiel saw the wheel in the middle of the air. The great big wheel and the little bitty wheel: a wheel turning over in the middle of the wheel. The Good Book says and the book don't lie, God told Ezekiel to prophesy. And my God spoke in Ezekiel's mind. He raised his voice and begins to cry.
He cried, "Old bones! Old bones are walking! Great God Almighty these old bones are talking. Old bones, bones, won't you hear me now. Old bones, you hear the word of God!"
Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel arolling way in the middle of the air. Great God! Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling way in the middle of the air.
Well God told Ezekiel to prophesy. Zeke tried to do it and that's no lie. God sent the wind from the west to the east and spirits struck him from his head to his feet.
He cried, "Old bones! Old bones are walking. Great God almighty the old bones are talking. Old bones, bones, won't you hear me now. Old bones, you hear the word of God!"
Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel a-arolling way in the middle of the air.
Well old Ezekiel tried his best to do the things the Lord had told him to. He did his best, that's all he can. After all Zeke was a natural man.
Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling way in the middle of the air. One more! One more! Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling way in the middle of the air. Yes, indeed. Old Zeke was wailing that time!
"Do you read the Bible, Brett? Well there's this passage I got memorized. Ezekiel 25:17. 'The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.'"
EZEKIEL SAW DE WHEEL
Another Ezekiel song, referring to the Valley of Dry Bones: "Son of man, can these bones live?" This text probably referred to the hopeless Jewish exiles (in Babylon) but later came to be used (by Christians) as a key resurrection text (the promise of life after death):
Well, Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling way in the middle of the air. Great God! Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling way in the middle of the air.Another Ezekiel song, referring to the Valley of Dry Bones: "Son of man, can these bones live?" This text probably referred to the hopeless Jewish exiles (in Babylon) but later came to be used (by Christians) as a key resurrection text (the promise of life after death):
Well great God Almighty, the Bible declared, Ezekiel saw the wheel in the middle of the air. The great big wheel and the little bitty wheel: a wheel turning over in the middle of the wheel. The Good Book says and the book don't lie, God told Ezekiel to prophesy. And my God spoke in Ezekiel's mind. He raised his voice and begins to cry.
He cried, "Old bones! Old bones are walking! Great God Almighty these old bones are talking. Old bones, bones, won't you hear me now. Old bones, you hear the word of God!"
Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel arolling way in the middle of the air. Great God! Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling way in the middle of the air.
Well God told Ezekiel to prophesy. Zeke tried to do it and that's no lie. God sent the wind from the west to the east and spirits struck him from his head to his feet.
He cried, "Old bones! Old bones are walking. Great God almighty the old bones are talking. Old bones, bones, won't you hear me now. Old bones, you hear the word of God!"
Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel a-arolling way in the middle of the air.
Well old Ezekiel tried his best to do the things the Lord had told him to. He did his best, that's all he can. After all Zeke was a natural man.
Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling way in the middle of the air. One more! One more! Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling, the great big wheel a-turning over. Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rolling way in the middle of the air. Yes, indeed. Old Zeke was wailing that time!
DANIEL SAW THE STONE
This gospel song refers to Daniel's explaining the rock cut from the mountain in Nebuchadnezzar's first dream: "This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands." This is the "kingdom that will never be destroyed" (DANIEL 2:44f.). The image of God as the "Rock" occurs in Psalms and Isaiah, where God is called "the Rock eternal" (26:4); hence the hymn, "Rock of Ages." Christians view the Rock as Jesus, as the following gospel song shows:Well old Daniel saw the stone that was hewed out the mountain. Daniel saw the stone stone that was rolling down to Babylon, Daniel saw the stone that was hewed out the mountain coming down to redeem a mighty world. (2) Won't you meet me, Jesus, meet me, won't you meet me in the middle of the air? Cause now if these wings should fail me, Lord I want to hitch on another pair. King Jesus was the stone that was hewed out the mountain. King Jesus was the stone that come a-rolling in Babylon. King Jesus was the stone that was hewed out the mountain, coming down to redeem a mighty world. (2) Well the tree ends were bending, way up in the heavenly land. Well my God spoke to the Holy Ghost, he said, "Come on, and let's make plans." I'm looking for the stone that was hewed out the mountain, I'm looking for the stone that came a-rolling in Babylon, I'm looking for the stone that was hewed out the mountain coming down to redeem a mighty world. (2) Well now early in the morning the trumpet's going to sound, the dead in Christ is going to rise. Well if you ain't got good religion, Lord in hell you'll open up your eyes. I found that stone that was hewed out of the mountain, I found that stone that was rolling in Babylon, I found that stone that was hewed out of the mountain, coming down to redeem a mighty world. (2)
ROCK OF AGES
One of the most famous hymns, based on Isaiah 26:4 and Daniel 2:44:
One of the most famous hymns, based on Isaiah 26:4 and Daniel 2:44:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, >From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Save from wrath and make me pure.
Oh Thou blessed Rock of ages. I am trusting on Thee. Keep me till my journey's ended, till Thy blessed face I see. Hide me always Rock of Ages, till Thy blessed face I see, while the storm cloud rages, Rock of Ages hide Thou me.
HIDE ME ROCK OF AGES
A country and western version of this idea:Oh Thou blessed Rock of ages. I am trusting on Thee. Keep me till my journey's ended, till Thy blessed face I see. Hide me always Rock of Ages, till Thy blessed face I see, while the storm cloud rages, Rock of Ages hide Thou me.
DANIEL WAS A PRAYING MAN
One of the reasons the book of Daniel is so popular is its confidence in both God and prayer. Note how Jewish and Christian ideas are blended here (the reference to "the Father and the Son [Jesus]"):
Daniel was a praying man (2) three times a day he would always pray. Daniel was a praying man. Daniel was a praying man (2) three times a day he would always pray. Daniel was a praying man. Always face the east, he always faced the east, he always faced the sun when he prayed to the Holy One. Yeah. Daniel was a praying man. He prayed that "thy will be done (3), I believe in the Father and the Son, yeah! Daniel was a praying man. Daniel was a praying man (2) three times a day he would always pray. Daniel was a praying man.One of the reasons the book of Daniel is so popular is its confidence in both God and prayer. Note how Jewish and Christian ideas are blended here (the reference to "the Father and the Son [Jesus]"):
THEY CAME OUT SHOUTING
The story of the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace is blended with the idea of Jesus, though Jesus came hundreds of years after the book of Daniel was (supposedly) written. Note the note of triumphalism common in these songs (a faith in final victory), which has sustained Jews and Christian through ages of persecution of all kinds:
The story of the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace is blended with the idea of Jesus, though Jesus came hundreds of years after the book of Daniel was (supposedly) written. Note the note of triumphalism common in these songs (a faith in final victory), which has sustained Jews and Christian through ages of persecution of all kinds:
Oh, they came, they came out shouting (they came), the fire don't bother me. (2) Let me tell you, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, into the fire burning they did surely go! They went in hand in hand came out in Jesus' hands. They came out shouting. I say, they came out shouting, the fire don't bother me. Let me tell you Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, into the fire burning they did surely go, they went hand in hand, came out in Jesus' name, they came out shouting, the fire don't bother me. They came out shouting! (3).
SHADRACK
Another Gospel song based on the Fiery Furnace text from DANIEL:
Well there were 3 children from the land of Israel. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. They took a little trip to the land of Babylon. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. Well old Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. Well he took a lot of gold and he made him an idol. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. Another Gospel song based on the Fiery Furnace text from DANIEL:
Well he told everybody when they heard the music of the coronet. Well they told everybody when they heard the music of the flute. And they told everybody when they heard the music of the horn. Great God says, You must bow down and worship the idol. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego.
But the children of Israel would not bow down. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. You couldn't fool them with a golden idol. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. I said, you couldn't fool them with a golden idol. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego.
So the king put the children in a fiery furnace. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. He heaped on coals and red-hot brimstone. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. Made it seven times hotter: hotter than it ought to be. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. It even burned up the soldiers that the king had put there. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. Then the Lord God sent them an angel. And he gave them a couple of wings. So they moved them on down to the fiery furnace and began to cool the flames. Those children they got so happy, they were strutting right through the fire, just laughing and singing about the power of the gospel. Shadrack, Meshach, Abednego. Well, Shadrack, Meshach, Abednego. Little old Nebuchadezzer said, "Hey, now!" when he saw the power of the Lord. "Have a good time in the land of Babylon." Shadrack, Meshach, Abednego. Oh, Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego.
DANIEL, SERVANT OF THE LORD
Gospel song based on the lion's den text from DANIEL:
Oh, the King cried, Oh, Daniel, go find the Hebrew Daniel, servant of the Lord. O Daniel, Daniel, Daniel.Gospel song based on the lion's den text from DANIEL:
Among the Hebrew nation, one Hebrew Daniel was found. They put him in the lion's den, he stayed there all night long. Oh, the King cried, Oh, Daniel, go find the Hebrew Daniel, servant of the Lord. O Daniel, Daniel, Daniel. O Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, the Hebrew Daniel, servant of the Lord. Now the king in his sleep was troubled. And then early in the morning he rose to find that God had sent off his angels for to close the lion's jaws. Oh the king cried, O Daniel, Daniel, the Hebrew, Daniel, servant of the Lord. (repeat)
HANDWRITING ON THE WALL
The story of Belshazzar and his banquet (the book of Daniel) gives English the phrase, "handwriting on the wall":
Well there's a handwriting (on the wall). It's a handwriting (on the wall). I see a handwriting (on the wall). Whoa, whoa! Lord, he writes on the wall. Well you read your Bible, you read it well. You know about the story that I'm about to tell. Belshazzar was sitting at the banquet ball, drinking out of vessels of Israel's God. They tell me that his eyes got red with wine when God come jumping on the wheels of time. He rode on down to the banquet hall, set his handwriting on the wall. Belshazzar looked up on the banquet wall, saw the handwriting of Israel's God. "Go get Daniel!" I heard him yell, "tell him to read that writing, read it well. But I'll make him the ruler of all the land if he could just read the writing that's written by the hand." Then Daniel comes jumping to the power of God, began to read what was written on the wall. Mene, Tekele, Uparson. Great God Almighty, your days are done. But God done got tired of your wicked ways, the angels in the heavens done numbered your days. He said, your evil deeds have done got tried, you got to go to judgment to stand your trial. You got to go to judgment and stand at the bar for drinking out the veseels of Israel's God.The story of Belshazzar and his banquet (the book of Daniel) gives English the phrase, "handwriting on the wall":
BELSHAZZAR
Country singer, Johnny Cash, wrote this song about the "handwriting on the wall" scene in DANIEL:
Well the Bible tells us about a man who ruled Babylon and all its land. Around the city he built a wall and declared that Babylon would never fall. He had concubines and wives. he called his Babylon, Paradise. On his throne he drank and ate but for Belshazzar it was getting late. For he was weighed in the balance and found wanting. His kingdom was divided, it couldn't stand. He was weighed in the balance and found wanting. His houses were built upon the sand. Well the people feasted and drank their wine and praised the false gods of his time. All holy things they scorned and mocked but suddenly all their mocking stopped. For on the wall there appeared a hand: nothing else, there was no man. In blood the hand began to write and Belshazzar couldn't hide his fright. For he was weighed in the balance and found wanting. His kingdom was divided and couldn't stand. He was weighed in the balance and found wanting. His houses Well no one around but couldn't understand what was written by the mystic hand. Belshazzar tried but couldn't find a man who could give him peace of mind. But Daniel, the prophet, a man of God, he saw the writing on the wall in blood. Belshazzar asked him what it said and Daniel turned to the wall and read: , "My friend you're weighed in the balanced and found wanting. Your kingdom is divided, it can't stand, You're weighed in the balance and found wanting. Your houses are built upon the sand. Country singer, Johnny Cash, wrote this song about the "handwriting on the wall" scene in DANIEL:
In His Care-O
Daniel became a symbol for those who wished to keep God's laws regardless where they lived, as this gospel song shows:
Well Daniel he was a good man, Lord, he prayed three times a day. Well, the angels raised their windows just to hear what Daniel had to say, say, say. Well Daniel he was a good man, Lord he prayed three times a day. I pray the Lord, I'm in his care-o!Daniel became a symbol for those who wished to keep God's laws regardless where they lived, as this gospel song shows:
JONAH AND THE WHALE
Jonah is one of the most well-known characters in the Bible and the source of countless gospel and pop references:
Well God sent Jonah down to Ninevah land to preach the Gospel to the wicked man and to repent his wicked ways, I'm going to overthrow the city in forty days. God moves in the windstorm, he rose in the windstorm, and troubled everybody in mind. Well Jonah went down to the seashore and he made up his mind which way to go. Well he got himself a ship and he paid his fare, oh God called up with Jonah down there. God moves in the windstorm, yeah, yeah, you know he rose in the windstorm and troubled everybody in mind. Well God saw the ship and he came in time, the captain of the ship had trouble in mind. And then he went into the deep, well he saw old Jonah there fast asleep. He said, hey stranger tell me your name, my Name is Jonah and I came from the king. All this trouble is on a kind of me, why don't you throw me overboard and let the ship sail free. Well God moves in the windstorm, you know he rose in the windstorm and troubled everybody in mind. Well I threw old Jonah overboard, along comes a whale and swallowed him whole and took him on over to Ninevah land yeah well I threw old Jonah on a bar of sand. God moves in the windstorm, oh yeah, you know he moves in the windstorm and troubled everybody in mind. Well God sent Jonah down to Ninevah land to preach the Gospel to the wicked man and to repent his wicked ways (everybody), I'm going to overthrow the city in forty days.Jonah is one of the most well-known characters in the Bible and the source of countless gospel and pop references:
JONAH
Go Jonah! Go Jonah! Go to Ninevah. Go Jonah! A message came from Heaven. Ninevah was undermined. God said to Jonah go and let my light shine. Go and tell my people, you'd better mend your ways. Cause if you don't, this might be your last day. And God said, "Go Jonah! Go Jonah! Go to Ninevah. Go Jonah. Well get on up and get on up and go down Jonah. Well get on up and get on up and go down Jonah. God will tell you what to say. Well instead of going down to Ninevah, Jonah looked the other way. But things didn't go the way old Jonah had planned. For soon Jonah jump and hollered, by the big old fish he was swalloed. God made that fish jump up that preacher man. God said, "Go Jonah! go Jonah! Well, Go to Ninevah. Go Jonah! Get on up and get on up and go down Jonah, get on up and get on up and go down Jonah! God will tell you what to say. Go Jonah! Go Jonah! Go to Ninevah, go Jonah! Well get on up and go down, Jonah! God will tell you what to say! Heigh-ho Silver, away! Heigh-ho, Silver, away!JONAH AND THE WHALE
Jonah was a man who got his word from the Lord to go and preach the gospel to the sinful land. But he got on a ship and he tried to get away and ran into a storm in the middle of the sea. Now the Lord made the waves just to roll so high. The ship begins to sink and they all begin to cry. So they pulled old Jonah out of the hole and they dumped him in the water just to lighten up the load.Now the Lord made a whale, long and wide. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? And he swallowed up Jonah, hair and hide. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? Now Jonah starts to pray in the belly of a whale. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? He repented of his sins like a man in jail. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? Lord, Lord. Now Jonah must have been a bad man. He must have been a sinner. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? Cause the whale got him down and he didn't like his dinner. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? Lord, Lord. Well he swum around the ocean sick as he could be. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? After three days, he had to set him free. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? So the whale spit Jonah out on the dry land. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? And he went on to preaching like a righteous man. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? And the people put their sins when they hear him in the town. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish? So when you hear the call don't you turn the course around. Lord, Lord, wasn't that a fish?
JONAH
God he rode in a windstorm, God he rode in a windstorm, he rode in a windstorm, troubled everybody's mind. (2) Oh, you know God sent Jonah to the Ninevah land, "Preach my gospel to the wicked man." Jonah got angry, and didn't want to go, he bought him a ticket to a distant shore. Got his ticket, got on board, ship went a-rocking from shore to shore. They tell me the ship was toppled from side to side and everybody on board had trouble in mind. God found Jonah, found him fast asleep, "Oh, my body, don't go into the deep." God he rode in a windstorm (3) and he troubled everybody's mind. I got a hiding place. Yeah!The Dies Irae
The Dies Irae (Day of Wrath), based on a Christian poem in Latin, comes from the "Day of the Lord" text in Zephaniah: "That day will be a day of wrath" (1:15). This text, part of the Requiem mass (mass for the dead) has fascinated composers for centuries, allowing for spectacular musical effects, often of horror (even Andrew Lloyd-Webber, composer of Cats and Phantom of the Opera, set it to music). We hear part of a Gregorian chant, followed by Verdi's famous Requiem setting:| Dies irae, dies illa solvet saeclum in favilla teste David cum Sibylla. | Day of wrath, day of tears, dissolves the world in ashes, as said by David and the Sibyl. |
The Lacrimosa (as in English, "lachrymose" or tearful) is also from the Day of Wrath text, included in Requiem masses. Mozart's setting of these words (probably the last music he wrote, on his deathbed) are deeply moving, the words softly flowing like tears; while the same text inspired Berlioz to a sound picture of fury, as the chorus hammers home each syllable of the opening words:
| Lacrimosa, dies illa qua resurget ex favilla judicandus homo reus. | On this day full of tears, when from the ashes arises guilty man, to be judged. |
BRINGING IN THE SHEAVES
"They know not the thoughts of the Lord: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor" (Micah 4:12).
Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness, Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve; Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.{Refrain} Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves, Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
AMOS
One of the clearest calls for justice in the Bible is from AMOS 5:24: "Let justice roll down like a river and righteousness like a mighty stream." Martin Luther King refers to this text in his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington:"No we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righeousness like a mighty stream!"
HOSEA
The image of the wind as a means of God's punishment is found throughout the Bible, but most clearly in Hosea "They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind" (8:7). The "wind" refers to the uprooting of an unjust social order. Bob Dylan borrowed this image for the lyric of Blowing in the Wind:How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man? How many seas must the white dove sail, before she sleeps in the sand? Yes and how many times must the cannonballs fly before they're forever banned? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. The answer is blowing in the wind!
Songs Week of 2 May
Dry Bones
A famous gospel song, now rarely performed. It is based on Ezekiel 37: Dry Bones
"And he said unto me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' And I answered, 'O Lord God, thou knowest.' Again he said unto me, 'Prophesy upon these bones. . . .' So I prophesied, as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a noise. And, behold, a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone." (Ezekiel 37:3-7).
Ezekiel cried them dry bones (3), "Now hear the word of the Lord." Ezekiel connected them dry bones (3), now hear the word of the lord. Well the toe bones connected to your foot bone, your foot bone's connected to your heel bone connected to the ankle (knee, thigh, hip, back, shoulder, neck, head) now hear the word of the Lord. Them bones gonna walk around (3) now hear the word of the Lord. Just connect them bones, them dry bones, now hear the word of the Lord (3). Well your head bone's connected from your neck bone (neck, shoulder, back, hip, thigh, knee, leg, ankle, heel, foot, toe bone), now hear the word of the Lord. Them bones, them dry bones (3), now hear the word of the Lord. (Repeat). Now hear the word of the Lord.Breathe On Us Again
This hymn was sung at the Christian Revival in Washington, D.C. in October, 1997. It was named, "Stand in the Gap," after Exekiel 22:30: "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap [hole] for the land's sake, so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none."
The title refers to another Ezekiel text, the "Valley of Dry Bones": "I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live" (37:5). This refers to Genesis: "and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul" (2:7). The revival of the dead bones in the Ezekiel text is the source of the religious terms, "revivalism" and "revival movements," common throughout Christian history, in reaction against routine worship:
The title refers to another Ezekiel text, the "Valley of Dry Bones": "I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live" (37:5). This refers to Genesis: "and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul" (2:7). The revival of the dead bones in the Ezekiel text is the source of the religious terms, "revivalism" and "revival movements," common throughout Christian history, in reaction against routine worship:
O Lord, hear. O Lord forgive us. We have lost the hour of you. Have mercy, have mercy.
O Lord, cleanse our hearts, which are divided. Stir the faith that we once knew. We're thirsty, we're thirsty.
O Lord, restore the Church that bears your name. O Spirit, send a revival to this nation. Breathe on us again. Breathe on us again. O Lord, restore the Church that bears your name. O Spirit, send a revival to this nation. Breathe on us again. Breathe on us again.
Swing Down, Sweet ChariotO Lord, cleanse our hearts, which are divided. Stir the faith that we once knew. We're thirsty, we're thirsty.
O Lord, restore the Church that bears your name. O Spirit, send a revival to this nation. Breathe on us again. Breathe on us again. O Lord, restore the Church that bears your name. O Spirit, send a revival to this nation. Breathe on us again. Breathe on us again.
EZEKIEL SAW THE WHEEL
Well I tell you! Ezekiel saw the wheel way up in the middle of the air. And the big wheel runs by faith and the little wheel runs by the grace of God: a wheel in a wheel way up in the middle of the air. Not the same as Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, though both songs use the story of Elijah and the chariot. The influence of Gospel music on Elvis' rock 'n' roll style is shown in this 1955 interview:
Interviewer: "Say, something about your unique style. Where did you get the idea for this?"
Elvis: "I just landed upon it accidentally. I, ah, I'm a pretty close follower of religious quartets. And they do a lot of rock and rhythm screechings. And so that's where I got the idea from: religious quartets."
Why don't you swing down sweet chariot, stop and let me ride. Swing down chariot, stElvis: "I just landed upon it accidentally. I, ah, I'm a pretty close follower of religious quartets. And they do a lot of rock and rhythm screechings. And so that's where I got the idea from: religious quartets."
Well I've got a home on the other side. (2) Well, well, well, well, well, well. . . . Ezekiel went down in the middle of a field. He saw an angel working on a chariot wheel. Wasn't so particular 'bout the chariot wheel. Just wanted to see how a chariot feel. Why don't you swing down sweet chariot, stop and let me ride. Swing down chariot, stop and let me ride. Rock me Lord, rock me Lord, calm and easy. Well I've got a home on the other side. Well, well, well. . . . Ezekiel went down and he got on board. Chariot went a-bumping on down the road. Zeke wasn't so particular 'bout the bumping of the road. Just wanted to lay down his heavy load. Why don't you swing down sweet chariot, stop and let me ride. Swing down chariot, stop and let me ride. Rock me Lord, rock me Lord, calm and easy. Well I've got a home on the other side. Well I got a father in the Promised Land. Ain't no more stopping till I shake his hand. Rock me Lord, rock me Lord, calm and easy. I've got a home on the other side. Why don't you swing down sweet chariot, stop and let me ride. Swing down chariot, stop and let me ride. Rock me Lord, rock me Lord, calm and easy. Well I've got a home on the other side.
Ezekiel 34
(Listening Text)
This chapter influenced ideas in the New Testament, and Jesus refers to it (John 10). He also refers to it in his famous remark about sheep disguised as wolves: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves" (Matthew 7:15). The Ezekiel text has echoes of the famous Psalm 23 ("The Lord Is My Shepherd").(Listening Text)
1And the w
Listen to the Lambs
Based on Ezekiel 34 (itself based on Jeremiah 23:1), with its messianic image of a Good Shepherd, later used by Jesus: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. . . . I am the good shepherd: I know my sheep and my sheep know me (John: 10:11-14). Listen to the lambs, all a-crying (3) all a-crying. (3) He shall feed his flock like a shepherd and carry the young lambs in his bosom (4) and carry the young lambs in his bosom (6). Ah, listen! Ah, listen! Listen to the lambs, all a-crying (3) all a-crying. (3) Amen.
A MIGHTY FORTRESS
This world-famous hymn is the national hymn of Germany, and was written by Martin Luther, based on Psalm 46. In traditional hymns, there's a great deal of transposed (reversed) word order, like "our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing" in ordinary prose English would be: "He is our helper, prevailing amid the flood of mortal ills."
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark [wall] never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe [the Devil] doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
CHORUS OF THE HEBREW SLAVES
Based on Psalm 137 ("By the waters of Babylon we wept"), this is from the Italian opera Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar) and is one of Verdi's most famous melodies. Italian is in red italics on left and English follows:
Based on Psalm 137 ("By the waters of Babylon we wept"), this is from the Italian opera Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar) and is one of Verdi's most famous melodies. Italian is in red italics on left and English follows:
Va', pensiero, sull'ale dorate; Fly, thought, on wings of gold;
va', ti posa sui clivi, sui colli, go settle upon the slopes and the hills,
ove olezzano tepide e molli where, soft and mild, the sweet airs<>
l'aure dolci del suolo natal! of our native land smell fragrant!
Del Giordano le rive saluta, Greet the banks of the Jordan
di Sonne le torri atterrate... and Zion's toppled towers.
Oh mia patria sì bella e perduta! Oh, my country so lovely and lost!
Oh membranza sì cara e fatal! Oh, remembrance so dear and so fraught with despair!
Arpa d'or dei fatidici vati, Golden harp of the prophetic seers,
perché muta dal salice pendi? why dost thou hang mute upon the willow?
Le memorie nel petto raccendi, Rekindle our bosom's memories,
ci favella del tempo che fu! and speak of times gone by!
O simìle di Sòlima ai fati Mindful of the fate of Jerusalem,
traggi un suono di crudo lamento, either give forth an air of sad lamentation,
o t'ispiri il Signore un concento or else let the Lord imbue us
che ne infonda al patire virtù! (3) with fortitude to bear our sufferings! (3)
40
This famous song, by the Irish Rock group, U2, is based on Psalm 40:
This famous song, by the Irish Rock group, U2, is based on Psalm 40:
(Sing this with me, this is 40) I waited patiently for the Lord He inclined and heard my cry He lifted me up out of the pit Out of the mire and clay I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song How long to sing this song? How long to sing this song? How long? How long? How long? How long to sing this song He set my feet upon a rock And made my footsteps firm Many will see Many will see and hear I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song (Sing it!) How long to sing this song? How long to sing this song? How long? How long? How long? How long to sing this song.
Songs, Week of 25 April 2006
BALM IN GILEAD
Based on a text from Jeremiah: "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?" (Jeremiah 8:22). Quoted in Edgar Allan Poe's poem, The Raven.
TherBased on a text from Jeremiah: "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?" (Jeremiah 8:22). Quoted in Edgar Allan Poe's poem, The Raven.
e is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. Sometimes I feel discouraged and feel my work's in vain and then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. If you can't preach like Peter, if you can't pray like Paul, go home and tell your neighbor he [Jesus] died to save us all. There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole, there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul, to heal the sin-sick soul.PSALM 51
The Miserere is named after the first words, in Latin, of Psalm 51. This is the psalm supposedly written after David had his affair with Bathsheba. It is one of the seven so-called "penitential psalms" of the Roman church; especially famous because of Gregorio Allegri's early Vatican setting, so valued by the church that there was a ban on anyone writing down the music so it could be performed elsewhere. Unluckily for the church, the fourteen-year-old Mozart heard it once and wrote it down entirely from memory, with only a few errors, corrected after a second hearing. These are the opening words, in Latin and English:Miserere mei, Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
Have pity on me, Lord, according to your great kindness
Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum:
And according to your many mercies
dele iniquitatem meam.
Blot out my sins.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea:
Completely wash me from my sins
et a peccato meo munda me.
And from my sin clean me.
[For English-language students, note the many English cognates, or related words in English: misery, sequel, magnify, thou, delete, iniquity, amplify, impeccable, etc.]
Psalm 23
Charlotte Church included this musical version of the psalm on her album, Voice of an Angel.The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose Near restful waters he leads me to revive my dropping spirit He guides me along the right path He is true to his name If I should walk in the valley of darkness, no evil would I fear You are there with your crook and your staff, with these you give me compfort You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes My head you have anointed with oil, my cup is overflowing Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for ever and ever In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for ever.
SABBATH PRAYER
May the Lord protect and defend you. May he always keep you from shame. May you always be in Israel a shining name. May you be like Ruth and like Esther, may you be deserving of praise. Strengthen them oh Lord and keep them from the stranger's ways..This is from the long-running Broadway musical, Fiddler on the Roof.
Whither Thou Goest
This charming song, by the German composer Heinrich Schutz, is based on famous lines from the book of Ruth (1:16ff.) It is now sometimes used, in English, as a wedding song.Whither thou goest there also will I go,
And where thou lodgest there also will I lodge,
Your land be my land and your God be my God.
O bid me not, O bid be not to leave thee.
What may befall us our God alone knoweth,
But sharing all that his mercy bestoweth
Shall be my joy, my delight never ending,
Not till life's day is done shall we be parted.
Songs based on Isaiah
Week of 11 April 2006
Isaiah has often been called the Fifth Gospel; and it's also the most quoted Old Testament book in the Gospels other than the Psalter (Psalms).
The importance of Isaiah for Christians is in its Messianic prophecies, especially the idea of the Suffering Servant, although for Jews this refers to Israel rather than to Jesus. Many of the book's ideas, such as its promise of a kingdom of peace, a ruler of peace, a kingdom of harmony (where the lion lies down with the lamb), and the grapes of wrath, are familiar to many.
The Book of Isaiah was also the most frequent source text by Handel for his oratorio, the Messiah. The Messiah was later adapted to Gospel music style:
Week of 11 April 2006
Isaiah has often been called the Fifth Gospel; and it's also the most quoted Old Testament book in the Gospels other than the Psalter (Psalms).
The importance of Isaiah for Christians is in its Messianic prophecies, especially the idea of the Suffering Servant, although for Jews this refers to Israel rather than to Jesus. Many of the book's ideas, such as its promise of a kingdom of peace, a ruler of peace, a kingdom of harmony (where the lion lies down with the lamb), and the grapes of wrath, are familiar to many.
The Book of Isaiah was also the most frequent source text by Handel for his oratorio, the Messiah. The Messiah was later adapted to Gospel music style:
Behold a Virgin (Isaiah 7:14)
This is the famous text used by Christians as a prophecy of Jesus. The Hebrew word meaning "young woman" was translated into Greek as "virgin." For this reason, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, had to be a virgin:
Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us. Oh, God with us. I'm calling you Father, hallelujah, calling you Father, hey! Behold, behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear the son and shall call His name Emmanuel. Behold, a virgin shall conceive oh and bear a son and shall call His name Emmanuel. Oh Hallelujah, I'm calling you Father, hallelujah, I'm callling you Father. Hallelujah, I praise your name, come on sing about it, Hallelujah, praise your name! Come on, come on, and sing about it. . . .This is the famous text used by Christians as a prophecy of Jesus. The Hebrew word meaning "young woman" was translated into Greek as "virgin." For this reason, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, had to be a virgin:
For Unto Us (Isaiah 9:6)
Glorious morn, glorious morn. Little Baby Jesus Christ is born. This is the song about the birth of a baby boy bringing into the world love, peace and heavenly joy. He is inspired to be the Messiah, celebration. Sing and shout, sing and shout, glory Hallelujah, gonna sing and shout. Wrapped up in a manger in his swaddling clothes was the little baby Jesus. People crowd around him just to sing and rejoice. They cried out together in one great voice. For unto us a child is born. See the pretty little baby boy, see the pretty little baby boy! What a pretty little baby boy, see the pretty little baby boy, what a pretty little baby boy! For unto us a child is born. Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. See the pretty little baby boy, a little pretty baby is born. Unto us a son is given, you know that the government shall be upon his shoulder. His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor the Mighty Lord Almighty Father, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty Lord, the Mighty Lord, Prince of Peace, etc. Comfort ye, my people (Isaiah 40:1-3)
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people. Comfort ye my people, saith your God, saith your God, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem. and cry unto her that warfare is accomplished that her iniquity is pardoned, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Comfort ye my people, saith your God, saith your God, saith, he saith, saith, saith. Comfort ye, comfort ye, comfort ye, yeah, the Lord saith, comfort ye, comfort ye, when you're kneeling down, when you're feeling up, in the morning, in the noonday, etc. Every Valley shall be Exalted (Isaiah 40:4)
Every valley, every valley, every valley shall be exalted, shall be exalted, exalted, exalted, etc. and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough places plain, the crooked straight and the rough places plain. Every valley shall be exactled and every ountain and hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough places plain, let me explain. Every valley, every valley shall be exalted.And the Glory of the Lord (Isaiah 40:5)
And the glory, the glory, the glory of the Lord, and the glory, the glory, the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, shall be revealed and the glory, the glory of the Lord, and all flesh shall see it together, and all flesh shall see it together, all flesh shall see it together, and all flesh shall see it together and all flesh shall see it together and the glory, the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and shall see it together and the glory, the glory, the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh, and all flesh and all flesh shall see together the glory, the glory, the glory of the Lord and the glory shall be revealed, glory shall be revealed, shall be revealed, shall be revealed, and the glory shall be revealed, shall be revealed.Oh Thou That Tellest (Isaiah 40:9)
Oh thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get up into the high mountain, Oh thou that telles good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain, Oh thou that telles good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain, Oh thou that telles good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain, O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, the glory of the Lord is risen, the glory of the Lord is risen, the glory of the Lord, the glory of the Lord, yeah. O get thee up, get way up and shout about, o get thee up, yeah, just get thee up, get thee up, get away up, shout about it, I can't hold myself, yeah, get thee up, just get thee up, I just got to get up and shout about it, just get thee up, just get thee up, get thee up.Down by the Riverside
This famous Gospel song is based on a text from Isaiah: "They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more" (2:4).I'm gonna lay down my burden by the riverside Down by the riverside, down by the riverside. I'm gonna lay down my my burden by the riverside I'm gonna study war no more. I ain't gonna study war no more, etc. Well I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield down by the riverside Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield down by the riverside I'm gonna study war no more. I ain't gonna study war no more, etc. I'm gonna try on my long white robe down by the riverside Down by the riverside, down by the riverside I'm gonna try on my long white robe down by the riverside I'm gonna study war no more.I ain't gonna study war no more, etc. Gonna meet my loving Jesus, Down by the riverside, down by the riverside Gonna meet my loving Jesus, Down by the riverside, down by the riverside I ain't gonna study war no more, etc.
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
Julia W. Howe took a tune called John Brown's Body and added new words, partly based on the "grapes of wrath" text in Isaiah: "I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no-one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained my clothing. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come" (63:3ff.) Here God is pictured as a God of Battle, ready to enforce justice among nations.Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on. I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I have read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps; His Day is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on. In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free; While God is marching on.Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.
Peace in the Valley
This famous Gospel song, by Gospel composer, Thomas Dorsey, uses verses from Isaiah: "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them" (11:6). This motif was popularized by American artist, Edward Hicks (1780-1849) in his Peaceable Kingdom paintings (see picture, below right).Oh we
ll, I’m tired and so weary But I must go alone Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes Well the morning's so bright And the lamb is a light And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes There will be peace in the valley for me, some day There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray There'll be no sadness, no sorrow No trouble, trouble I see There will be peace in the valley for me, for me Well the bear will be gentle And the wolves will be tame And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes And the beasts from the wild Shall be led by a child And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes There will be peace in the valley for me, some day There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray There'll be no sadness, no sorrow No trouble, trouble I see There will be peace in the valley for me, for me.LAND OF BEULAH
"No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah ; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married." Isaiah 62:4Haphzibah="my delight is in her" Beulah="married"
I am dwelling on a mountain where the golden sunlight gleams, over a land of wondrous beauty far exceeds my fondest dreams. Where the air is pure, laden with the breath of flowers, they are blooming by the fountain, 'neath the air. I can see far down the mountain where often hindered on my journey by the ghosts of doubts and fears. Broken vows and disappointments thicklly sprinkled over the way, but the spirit that is w to the land of home today. It's the distant land of Beulah, blessed blessed land of light, where the flowers bloom forever and the sun is always bright. I am drinking from the fountain where I ever would abide, for I tasted life's pure river and my soul is satisfied. There's no thirsting for life's pleasures nor for I found a greater treasure, one that fadeth not away. Oh the cross has wondrous glory of to be true. When I'm in the way so narrow, I can sing I'm halfway through. And how sweetly Jesus whispers, take thy cross and haste thy feet, for I trod away before thee and thy glory lingers near. In the distant land of Beulah, blessed, blessed land of light, where the flowers bloom forever and the sun is always bright.
Songs, Week of 21 March 2006
Who knows what we'll listen to? Don't forget the set from the SONG OF SONGS on your previous handout; two songs from your previous handouts have been repeated in this handout (the two last songs).
TURN, TURN, TURN
This famous text from Ecclesiastes, set to music by folksinger Pete Seeger, became a Top Ten hit for the Rock group The Byrds in the 1960s. (Seeger added an anti-war sentiment at the end.)
Turn, turn, turn There is a season Turn, turn, turn And a time for ev'ry purpose under heaven A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep To ev'rything Turn, turn, turn There is a season Turn, turn, turn And a time for ev'ry purpose under heaven A time to build up, a time to break down A time to dance, a time to morn A time to cast away stones A time to gather stones together To ev'rything Turn, turn, turn There is a season Turn, turn, turn And a time for ev'ry purpose under heaven A time of love, a time of hate A time of war, a time of peace A time you may embrace A time to refrain from embracing To ev'rything Turn, turn, turn There is a season Turn, turn, turn And a time for every purpose under heaven A time to gain, a time to lose A time to bend, a time to sew A time to love, a time to hate A time for peace I swear its not too late To ev'rything Turn, turn, turn There is a season Turn, turn, turn And a time for every purpose under heaven.Who knows what we'll listen to? Don't forget the set from the SONG OF SONGS on your previous handout; two songs from your previous handouts have been repeated in this handout (the two last songs).
TURN, TURN, TURN
This famous text from Ecclesiastes, set to music by folksinger Pete Seeger, became a Top Ten hit for the Rock group The Byrds in the 1960s. (Seeger added an anti-war sentiment at the end.)
PSALM 27
A gospel setting of this psalm:
The Lord is my light and he's my salvation, whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, yes he is (3), of whom shall I be afraid, shall I be afraid? The Lord is my light, oh the Lord is my light, he's my light, my light. When the wicked, even my enemies, they fall upon me and eat up my flesh: the Bible says, they stumble and fall, yes they do, they stumble and fell, they stumble and fell, Oh, the Lord is my light, oh the Lord is, yes, sir, my light, my light. When my mother and my father both forsake, God's going to pick me up, he said he would. He'll pick me up on a rock to stay, he'll pick me up on a rock to stay. The Lord is my light, he's my light, my light, oh, yeah. In the time of trouble the Lord is going to hide me, children, he's going to hide me, yes he will. He'll set me up on a rock to stay, set me up on a rock to stay! The Lord is my light, oh, yes! Yes he is! In times of trouble, he's going to hide me, hide me, hold me, hide me, etc. In times of trouble, he's going to hide me, hide me, hold me, hide me, etc. Set me up on a rock to stay!A gospel setting of this psalm:
SET ME AS A SEAL
song setting from SONG OF SONGS
Set me as a seal upon your arm, as a seal upon your heart: for love is strong as death; jealousy as cruel as the grave: its passions are like blazing flames, ardent as columns of fire. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can can the floods drown it: if a man would give for love all the wealth of his house it would be utterly despised. Set me as a seal upon your arm, as a sealupon your heart!song setting from SONG OF SONGS
HEAR MY PRAYER
This popular concert aria by the German composer Felix Mendelssohn (famous for his Wedding March) is based on the first verses of Psalm 55 (vv. 1-6).Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Thyself from my petition do not hide. Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Thyself from my petition do not hide, Thyself from my petition do not hide!
Take heed to me! Hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee, hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee, hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee! Take heed to me, take heed to me!
Without Thee all is dark, I have no guide, I have no guide, no guide, without Thee all is dark, I have no guide, I have no guide.
Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Thyself from my petition do not hide, Thyself from my petition do not hide! Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Hear my prayer, O God incline Thine ear. The enemy shouteth, The godless come fast! Iniquity, hatred, up on me they cast! The wicked oppress me, Ah where shall I fly? Perplexed and bewildered, O God, hear my cry, O God hear my cry! O God hear my cry, perplexed and bewildered, O God hear my cry! O God, O God, hear my cry!
The enemy shouteth, the godless come fast, perplexed and bewildered O God, hear my cry! O God hear my cry, perplexed and bewildered, O God, hear my cry. O God, hear my cry, O God hear my cry, O God, hear my cry! O God hear my cry!
My heart is sorely pained within my breast. My soul with deathly terror is oppressed. Trembling and fearfulness upon me fall, with horror overwhelmed, Lord, hear me call, Lord, hear me call! With horror overwhelmed, Lord, hear me call!
O for the wings, for the wings of a dove! Far away, far away would I rove! O for the wings, for the wings of a dove! Far away, far away, far away, far away would I rove!
In the wilderness build me a nest and remain there forever at rest. In the wilderness build me, build me a nest and remain there forever at rest. In the wilderness build me a nest and remain there forever at rest, and remain there forever at rest, and I'll remain there forever at rest.
O for the wings of a dove, O for the wings of a dove! O for the wings, for the wings of a dove! Far away, far away, far away, far away, far away from the world, far away. In the wilderness, in the wilderness build me a nest and I'll remain there forever at rest, remain there forever at rest, remain there forever at rest.
O for the wings, for the wings of a dove, far away, far away would I rove. O for the wings, for the wings of a dove, far away, far away, far away, far away would I rove. In the wilderness build me a nest, that I'll be forever at rest, in the wilderness build me a nest and I'll remain there forever at rest, forever at rest, forever, forever at rest. And I'll remain there forever at rest, and I'll remain there forever at rest.
'HOW LOVELY ARE THY DWELLINGS FAIR'
PSALM 84
The nineteenth-century German composer, Johannes Brahms, set the first verses (1, 2, 4) of Psalm 84 in his German Requiem. Very popular, the setting was translated into English and is now independently heard. "Dwellings fair" is a transposed (reversed) way of saying "fair dwellings."PSALM 84
How lovely are thy dwellings fair, O Lord of Hosts, O Lord of Hosts, are thy dwellings fair. How lovely are thy dwellings fair, how lovely are thy dwellings fair, O Lord of Hosts. My soul longeth, my soul ever longeth and fainteth, my soul ever longeth and fainteth sore for the blessed courts of the Lord. My heart and flesh do cry to God, cry to the living God. My heart and flesh do cry to God, cry to the living, cry to the living God. How lovely are thy dwellings fair, O Lord of hosts, O Lord of Hosts, are thy dwellings fair, O Lord of Hosts. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you, they are ever praising you forevermore. How lovely, how lovely how lovely, how lovely are thy dwellings fair.
Job's Songs
Sire of Sorrow (Job's Sad Song)
Let me speak, let me spit out my bitterness-- Born of grief and nights without sleep and festering flesh Do you have eyes? Can you see like mankind sees?
Why have you soured and curdled me? Oh you tireless watcher! What have I done to you?
That you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true? Once I was blessed; I was awaited like the rain Like eyes for the blind, like feet for the lame
Kings heard my words, and they sought out my company But now the janitors of Shadowland flick their brooms at me Oh you tireless watcher! What have I done to you? that you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true?
(Antagonists: Man is the sire of sorrow) I've lost all taste for life
I'm all complaints Tell me why do you starve the faithful?
Why do you crucify the saints? And you let the wicked prosper
You let their children frisk like deer And my loves are dead or dying, or they don't come near (Antagonists: We don't despise your chastening God is correcting you) Oh and look who comes to counsel my deep distress Oh, these pompous physicians
What carelessness!
(Antagonists: Oh all this ranting all this wind Filling our ears with trash) Breathtaking ignorance adding insult to injury!
They come blaming and shaming
(Antagonists: Evil doer) And shattering me
(Antagonists: This vain man wishes to seem wise A man born of asses)
Oh you tireless watcher! What have I done to you? That you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true?
(Antagonists: We don't despise your chastening) Already on a bed of sighs and screams,
And still you torture me with visions You give me terrifying dreams! Better I was carried from the womb straight to the grave. I see the diggers waiting, they're leaning on their spades.
(Antagonists: Man is the sire of sorrow
Sure as the sparks ascend) Where is hope while you're wondering what went wrong? Why give me light and then this dark without a dawn?
(Antagonists: Evil is sweet in your mouth Hiding under your tongue) Show your face!
(Antagonists: What a long fall from grace) Help me understand!
What is the reason for your heavy hand?
(Antagonists: You're stumbling in shadows
You have no name now) Was it the sins of my youth? What have I done to you? That you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true?
(Antagonists: Oh your guilt must weigh so greatly) Everything I dread and everything I fear come true
(Antagonists: Man is the sire of sorrow) Oh you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true .
JOB AND SATAN
"Well
Well, Job was the richest man, my brothr, that lived in the land of Nod. He was the only man in the mile around that kept the Comamndments of God. Well the Devil he got jealous of Job. So he came to my God one day, said, "Move your hand from around the man and I'll make him curse you to your face!"
He said there's nothing you can to turn me around. There's nothing you can do to turn me around. Because I'm done signed up, made up my mind. I'm on my way, Great God Almighty I'm on my way to Good Lord!
Then Devil laid his fingers on Job. Brother Job fell down and right weak. So he got in bed, afflicted, children. So above his head to his feet, poor Job's afraid, began to leaving Him. The number went one to five, Job is sick and won't get well. We believe that he's gonna die.
He said, "Well I'm on my way to Canaan Land! Well I'm on my way to Canaan Land. If you don't go, my journey' o'er. I'm on my way, I'm on my way to Good Lord."
Well, Job's wife, she came running to him. Devil was right in her eyes. She said, "Oh, you're sick and you won't get well. Why don't you curse your God and die? Oh, Job looked straight at the woman and looked up in the sky. He said, "Woman, you sound like a foolish one, but you sure don't sound like wise!"
He said, "Well I'm on my way to Canaan Land! Well I'm on my way to Canaan Land. If you don't go, my journey' o'er. I'm on my way, I'm on my way to Good Lord."
Terrible Lie
This song is from Nine Inch Nails, one of the more famous bands in the style of Industrial music. The subject of Job is clear, but in a modern idiom. I have kept the typography of the original.
hey god, why are you doing this to me? am i not living up to w
hat i'm supposed to be? why am i seething with this animosity? i think you owe me a great big apology terrible lie...terrible lie...terrible lie...terrible lie i really don't know what you mean seems like salvation comes only in my dreams i feel my hatred grow all the more extreme. can this world really be as sad as it seems? terrible lie...terrible lie...terrible lie...terrible lie don't take it away from me; i need you to hold on to don't take it away from me; i need you to hold on to don't take it away from me; i need you to hold on to don't take it away from me; i need someone to hold on to don't tear it away from me; i need you to hold on to don't tear it away from me; i need someone to hold on to don't tear it away from me; i need you to hold on to don't tear it...don't tear it...don't take it, don't take it, don't... there's nothing left for me to hide i lost my ignorance, security, and pride i'm all alone in a world you must despise i believed your promises, your promises and lies terrible lie...terrible lie...terrible lie...terrible lie terrible lie you make me throw it all away my morals left to decay (terrible lie) how many you betray you've taken everything (terrible lie) my head is filled with disease my skin is begging you, please (terrible lie) i'm on my hands and knees i want so much to believe i need someone to hold on to.
Your life is bad, your prospects are worse
Your wife is sighing, crying,
And your olive tree is dying,
Temples are graying, and teeth are decaying
And creditors weighing your purse.
Your mood and your robe
Are both a deep blue
You'd bet that Job
Had nothing on you.
Don't forget that when you get to
Heaven you'll be blessed..
Yes, it's all for the best!
Richer than the bees are in honey
Never growing old, never feeling cold
Pulling pots of gold from thin air
The best in every town, best at shaking down
Best at making mountains of money
They can't take it with them, but what do they care?
They get the center of the meat, cushions on the seat
Houses on the street where it's sunny.
Summers at the sea, winters warm and free
All of this and we get the rest.
But who is the land for? the sun and the sand for?
You guessed! It's all for the best!
You must never feel distressed. All your wrongs will be redressed. Someone's got to be oppressed!
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. AMEN.
"Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace, Mightiful (?) Shepherd, I love you."
Oh bless the Lord my soul! His mercies bear in mind! Forget not all His benefits, The Lord, to thee, is kind. He will not always chide
He will with patience wait His wrath is ever slow to rise Oh bless the Lord And ready to abate And ready to abate Oh yeah! Oh bless the lord Bless the lord my soul Oh bless the lord my soul! He pardons all thy sins Prolongs thy feeble breath He healeths thine infirmities And ransoms thee from death He clothes thee with his love Upholds thee with his truth And like an eagle he renews The vigor of thy youth Then bless His holy name Whose grace hath made thee whole Whose love and kindness crowns Thy days
Oh bless the lord Bless the lord my soul Oh bless the lord my soul! Bless the lord my soul Oh bless the lord my soul! Bless the lord my soul Oh bless the lord my soul! Bless the lord, bless the lord My soul! Bless the lord my soul!
is is a setting of Psalm 137 from the Broadway/film musical, Godspell. The original Psalm begins in sadness as the exiles remember their homeland. The Psalmist asks that if he ever sings a song of God to entertain his tormenters, he forget how to sing or play his music at all:
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.4How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. On the willows, there we hung up our lives. For our captors there required of us songs and our tormentors' mirth. On the willows, there we hung up our lives. For our captors there required of us songs and our tormentor's mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion. Sing us one of the songs of Zion." But how can we sing--sing the Lord's songs in a foreign land?
In th
is way, Bible images are made current. "Babylon" is now white or "Western" power; the Jordan is the Atlantic ocean, which can be crossed into the promised land of Africa.
Rasta salvation history is traced (through Solomon and Sheba) to the tribe of Judah, in the figure of the lion, as in Jacob's blessing (GENESIS 49:9 ) and REVELATION (5:5). Psalm 68 promised that, "Ethiopia will surrender to God" (v. 31).
Rasta sees this as joy, not suffering, as in its version of the famous Psalm 137, "By the rivers of Babylon," one of the most famous Bible texts from the so-called "Babylonian Captivity" (after the fall of Judah in 586 BCE, most Jews were sent to "a strange land," Babylon). In the song, "Rivers of Babylon," by the Melodians, the "strange land" is Jamaica.
Psalm 137 is used closely. Famous lines from Psalm 19 are also used: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight" (v. 14).
"Alpha" refers to Ras Tafari (Prince Tafari, later Emperor of Ethiopia), believed to be Jesus Christ, and from whom Rastafarianism gets its name. (In Revelation, Jesus is the "Alpha and Omega" or "beginning and end" [1:8, 22:13]. "Alpha" and "Omega" are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, thus the beginning and the end.)
The song becomes a song of freedom and joy, not sadness. "Far-I" is word play on Ras Tafari, linking "God" and "I" (Rastas use "I" instead of "me"):
from us a song. How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land? When the wicked carried us away in captivity--required from us a song. How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land? Sing it aloud! Sing the song of freedom, brothers! Sing the song of freedom, brothers! We gonna talk about it! We gonna jump and shout it! So, let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight. Oh, Far-I.
So, let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight. Oh, Far-I. Sing it aloud! We got to sing it together, Everyone of us!
By the rivers of Babylon, where we sat down and there we wept, when we remembered Zion. When the wicked carried us away in captivity--required
from us a song. How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land? When the wicked carried us away in captivity--required from us a song. How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land?
Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Thyself from my petition do not hide. Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Thyself from my petition do not hide, Thyself from my petition do not hide!
Take heed to me! Hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee, hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee, hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee! Take heed to me, take heed to me!
Without Thee all is dark, I have no guide, I have no guide, no guide, without Thee all is dark, I have no guide, I have no guide.
Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Thyself from my petition do not hide, Thyself from my petition do not hide! Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Hear my prayer, O God incline Thine ear. The enemy shouteth, The godless come fast! Iniquity, hatred, up on me they cast! The wicked oppress me, Ah where shall I fly? Perplexed and bewildered, O God, hear my cry, O God hear my cry! O God hear my cry, perplexed and bewildered, O God hear my cry! O God, O God, hear my cry!
The enemy shouteth, the godless come fast, perplexed and bewildered O God, hear my cry! O God hear my cry, perplexed and bewildered, O God, hear my cry. O God, hear my cry, O God hear my cry, O God, hear my cry! O God hear my cry!
My heart is sorely pained within my breast. My soul with deathly terror is oppressed. Trembling and fearfulness upon me fall, with horror overwhelmed, Lord, hear me call, Lord, hear me call! With horror overwhelmed, Lord, hear me call!
O for the wings, for the wings of a dove! Far away, far away would I rove! O for the wings, for the wings of a dove! Far away, far away, far away, far away would I rove!
In the wilderness build me a nest and remain there forever at rest. In the wilderness build me, build me a nest and remain there forever at rest. In the wilderness build me a nest and remain there forever at rest, and remain there forever at rest, and I'll remain there forever at rest.
O for the wings of a dove, O for the wings of a dove! O for the wings, for the wings of a dove! Far away, far away, far away, far away, far away from the world, far away. In the wilderness, in the wilderness build me a nest and I'll remain there forever at rest, remain there forever at rest, remain there forever at rest.
O for the wings, for the wings of a dove, far away, far away would I rove. O for the wings, for the wings of a dove, far away, far away, far away, far away would I rove. In the wilderness build me a nest, that I'll be forever at rest, in the wilderness build me a nest and I'll remain there forever at rest, forever at rest, forever, forever at rest. And I'll remain there forever at rest, and I'll remain there forever at rest.
BLESSED BE THE NAME
You know Job was the richest man that ever lived in the land of Nod. So true! Job's servants came running. They said, "all your cattle are dead." Job's servants came running. They said, "all your cattle are dead." He said, "The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh," You should say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job's wife came to him, she had the Devil in her eye. Something I want to tell you, Job. She said, "Job, let me tell you, Job." She said "Job," she said "Job, why don't you curse your God and die." Then Job looked at her, and then he looked up in the sky ("Go away woman, now"). Woman, woman, you don't sound like my wife. Yeah, he said, "The Lord giveth (woman), the Lord taketh, well now, I want to say, blessed be the name of the Lord." Job said, "I'll wait, I'm going to wait here on the Lord." Job said, "I'll wait (sure enough now), I'm going to wait till my change does come." He said, "The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh. Blessed be the name of the Lord."ALL FOR THE BEST
Job on Broadway
This song i
s from the Broadway musical and film Godspell, based on the Gospel of St Matthew, composed by Stephen Schwarz, who later won an Oscar for Prince of Egypt ("When You Believe"). "Day by Day" was the musical's biggest hit; but "All for the Best" fits in with the JOB theme. The song begins with a man feeling sad as if under a "curse."
It's sung in a comic "soft-shoe" dance style. As in JOB, the man's wife is affected by his misery ("sighing, crying"). He suffers more than Job ("Job had nothing on you"). The next section of the song is a patter song (a fast string of words set to a tune). This makes fun of Job's "comforters" who "explain" the reason for suffering. "When you get to Heaven you'll be blessed," and "it's all for the best." Then we hear "Job" complaining how evil people live good lives: "born to live at ease, doing what they please," etc. (see JOB, Chapter 21). He refers to God's Creation: "But who is the land for, the sun and the sand for?" concluding (like Job's "comforters") "it's all for the best." Then the two melodies are sung together (as "counter-melodies"), making the song sound like babble!
Job on Broadway
This song i
It's sung in a comic "soft-shoe" dance style. As in JOB, the man's wife is affected by his misery ("sighing, crying"). He suffers more than Job ("Job had nothing on you"). The next section of the song is a patter song (a fast string of words set to a tune). This makes fun of Job's "comforters" who "explain" the reason for suffering. "When you get to Heaven you'll be blessed," and "it's all for the best." Then we hear "Job" complaining how evil people live good lives: "born to live at ease, doing what they please," etc. (see JOB, Chapter 21). He refers to God's Creation: "But who is the land for, the sun and the sand for?" concluding (like Job's "comforters") "it's all for the best." Then the two melodies are sung together (as "counter-melodies"), making the song sound like babble!
First Melody (in soft-shoe style)
When you feel sad, or under a curseYour life is bad, your prospects are worse
Your wife is sighing, crying,
And your olive tree is dying,
Temples are graying, and teeth are decaying
And creditors weighing your purse.
Your mood and your robe
Are both a deep blue
You'd bet that Job
Had nothing on you.
Don't forget that when you get to
Heaven you'll be blessed..
Yes, it's all for the best!
Second Melody (in patter style)
Some men are born to live at ease, doing what they please,Richer than the bees are in honey
Never growing old, never feeling cold
Pulling pots of gold from thin air
The best in every town, best at shaking down
Best at making mountains of money
They can't take it with them, but what do they care?
They get the center of the meat, cushions on the seat
Houses on the street where it's sunny.
Summers at the sea, winters warm and free
All of this and we get the rest.
But who is the land for? the sun and the sand for?
You guessed! It's all for the best!
| Some men are born to live at ease, doing what they please, Richer than the bees are in honey Never growing old, never feeling cold Pulling pots of gold from thin air The best in every town, best at shaking down Best at making mountains of money They can't take it with them, but what do they care? They get the center of the meat, cushions on the seat Houses on the street where it's sunny.. Summers at the sea, winters warm and free All of this and we get the rest. But who is the land for? the sun and the sand for? You guessed! It's all for the best! | When you feel sad, or under a curse Your life is bad, your prospects are worse Your wife is sighing, crying, And your olive tree is dying, Temples are graying, and teeth are decaying And creditors weighing your purse. Your mood and your robe Are both a deep blue You'd bet that Job Had nothing on you. Don't forget that when you get to Heaven you'll be blessed! Yes, it's all for the best! |
THE BOOK OF PSALMS
PSALM 20
May he answer you in the day of your trouble and may he set you safely on high. May he send help from his sanctuary and may he grant you your heart's desire. Oh Lord, we praise your name and praise it for all to see. This is our prayer. you give us victory. Some folks use weapons, some people use armies, but we will boast in the name of the Lord. Oh, Lord we sing for joy for you is all the victory. Oh Lord we praise your name and raise it high for all to see. Oh Lord my God this is our prayer. Oh Lord up high in Heaven you give us victory. May he answer you in the day of your trouble and may he set you safely on high. May he send help from his sanctuary and may he grant you your heart's desire. Oh Lord, we sing for joy for yours alone is the victory. Oh Lord above, this is our prayer. Oh Lord from highest heaven you give us victory.Psalm 23
This is the most famous Bible text. Cissy Houston recorded a Gospel version for the soundtrack of her daughter Whitney's film, The Preacher's Wife, affixing words from the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 9:6:The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. AMEN.
"Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace, Mightiful (?) Shepherd, I love you."
PSALM 24
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. They that dwell therein. For he hath established it upon the seas and established it upon the floods. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart. He shall receive the blessings from the Lord and the righteousness. seek thy face of Jacob, selah. Lift up your gates and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory Lift up your heads all ye gates. Who is the king of glory? The Lord of Hosts, he is the king of glory.PSALM 103
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. He has done great things. He has done great things. He has done great things, bless his holy name. He has done great things (so many great things). He has done great things (so many great things). He has done great things, bless his holy name. I will bless the Lord, oh my soul and everything that is within me, bless his holy name. I will bless the Lord, oh my soul and everything that is within me, bless his holy name.PSALM 103
This adaptation of one of the "ascent" psalms is from the Broadway and film musical, Godspell. An "ascent" psalm (120-34) was a psalm composed for the journey to the temple in Jerusalem. "Ascent" may refer to the road to Jerusalem or to the Temple steps or to the step-by-step progress to God. This of course is the same psalm as the above, with different phrasing.
Oh bless the Lord my soul! His praise to thee proclaim! And all that is within me join, To bless His holy name! Oh yeah!This adaptation of one of the "ascent" psalms is from the Broadway and film musical, Godspell. An "ascent" psalm (120-34) was a psalm composed for the journey to the temple in Jerusalem. "Ascent" may refer to the road to Jerusalem or to the Temple steps or to the step-by-step progress to God. This of course is the same psalm as the above, with different phrasing.
Oh bless the Lord my soul! His mercies bear in mind! Forget not all His benefits, The Lord, to thee, is kind. He will not always chideHe will with patience wait His wrath is ever slow to rise Oh bless the Lord And ready to abate And ready to abate Oh yeah! Oh bless the lord Bless the lord my soul Oh bless the lord my soul! He pardons all thy sins Prolongs thy feeble breath He healeths thine infirmities And ransoms thee from death He clothes thee with his love Upholds thee with his truth And like an eagle he renews The vigor of thy youth Then bless His holy name Whose grace hath made thee whole Whose love and kindness crowns Thy days
Oh bless the lord Bless the lord my soul Oh bless the lord my soul! Bless the lord my soul Oh bless the lord my soul! Bless the lord my soul Oh bless the lord my soul! Bless the lord, bless the lord My soul! Bless the lord my soul!
Psalm 121: A SIMPLE SONG
This "simple" song is from Leonard Bernstein's MASS, with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, who also wrote the Oscar-winning "When You Believe" (from Prince of Egypt). It's adapted from Psalm 121, though those verses don't appear until midway through the song. Bernstein was one of the legendary musical icons of the twentieth-century both as conductor and composer (West Side Story, Mass, etc.).
Sing God a simple song. Make it up as you go along. Sing like you like to sing, God loves all simple things. For God is the simplest of all. (2) Let us sing the Lord a little song to praise him, to bless him, to bless the Lord. I will sing his praises all of my days. Blessed is the man who loves the song, blessed is the man who praises him and walks in his ways. I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help, I will lift up my voice to the Lord, singing. For the Lord is my shade, is the shade upon my right hand and the sun shall not smite me by day nor the moon by night. Blessed is the man who loves the Lord and walks in his ways. All of my days.This "simple" song is from Leonard Bernstein's MASS, with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, who also wrote the Oscar-winning "When You Believe" (from Prince of Egypt). It's adapted from Psalm 121, though those verses don't appear until midway through the song. Bernstein was one of the legendary musical icons of the twentieth-century both as conductor and composer (West Side Story, Mass, etc.).
Psalm 122
I was glad, I was glad, I was glad, I was glad when they said unto me (I was glad), I was glad when they said unto me, I was glad when they said unto me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." I rejoiced, I rejoiced, I rejoiced, I rejoiced when they said unto me (I rejoiced), I rejoiced when they said unto me, I rejoiced when they said unto me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." Amen.On the Willows
This is a setting of Psalm 137 from the Broadway/film musical, Godspell. The original Psalm begins in sadness as the exiles remember their homeland. The Psalmist asks that if he ever sings a song of God to entertain his tormenters, he forget how to sing or play his music at all:By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.4How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. On the willows, there we hung up our lives. For our captors there required of us songs and our tormentors' mirth. On the willows, there we hung up our lives. For our captors there required of us songs and our tormentor's mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion. Sing us one of the songs of Zion." But how can we sing--sing the Lord's songs in a foreign land?
PSALM 137
Rastafarianism is an Afro-centered movement that "recovers" or re-uses the Bible to protest social power and injustice. It is famous because of Jamaican Reggae music, based largely on the Rasta religion.In th
is way, Bible images are made current. "Babylon" is now white or "Western" power; the Jordan is the Atlantic ocean, which can be crossed into the promised land of Africa.Rasta salvation history is traced (through Solomon and Sheba) to the tribe of Judah, in the figure of the lion, as in Jacob's blessing (GENESIS 49:9 ) and REVELATION (5:5). Psalm 68 promised that, "Ethiopia will surrender to God" (v. 31).
Rasta sees this as joy, not suffering, as in its version of the famous Psalm 137, "By the rivers of Babylon," one of the most famous Bible texts from the so-called "Babylonian Captivity" (after the fall of Judah in 586 BCE, most Jews were sent to "a strange land," Babylon). In the song, "Rivers of Babylon," by the Melodians, the "strange land" is Jamaica.
Psalm 137 is used closely. Famous lines from Psalm 19 are also used: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight" (v. 14).
"Alpha" refers to Ras Tafari (Prince Tafari, later Emperor of Ethiopia), believed to be Jesus Christ, and from whom Rastafarianism gets its name. (In Revelation, Jesus is the "Alpha and Omega" or "beginning and end" [1:8, 22:13]. "Alpha" and "Omega" are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, thus the beginning and the end.)
The song becomes a song of freedom and joy, not sadness. "Far-I" is word play on Ras Tafari, linking "God" and "I" (Rastas use "I" instead of "me"):
RIVERS OF BABYLON
By the rivers of Babylon, where we sat down, and there we wept, when we remembered Zion. When the wicked carried us away in captivity--requiredfrom us a song. How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land? When the wicked carried us away in captivity--required from us a song. How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land? Sing it aloud! Sing the song of freedom, brothers! Sing the song of freedom, brothers! We gonna talk about it! We gonna jump and shout it! So, let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight. Oh, Far-I.
So, let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight. Oh, Far-I. Sing it aloud! We got to sing it together, Everyone of us!
By the rivers of Babylon, where we sat down and there we wept, when we remembered Zion. When the wicked carried us away in captivity--required
from us a song. How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land? When the wicked carried us away in captivity--required from us a song. How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land?
HEAR MY PRAYER
This popular concert aria by the German composer Felix Mendelssohn (famous for his Wedding March) is based on the first verses of Psalm 55 (vv. 1-6).Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Thyself from my petition do not hide. Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Thyself from my petition do not hide, Thyself from my petition do not hide!
Take heed to me! Hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee, hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee, hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee! Take heed to me, take heed to me!
Without Thee all is dark, I have no guide, I have no guide, no guide, without Thee all is dark, I have no guide, I have no guide.
Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Thyself from my petition do not hide, Thyself from my petition do not hide! Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear! Hear my prayer, O God incline Thine ear. The enemy shouteth, The godless come fast! Iniquity, hatred, up on me they cast! The wicked oppress me, Ah where shall I fly? Perplexed and bewildered, O God, hear my cry, O God hear my cry! O God hear my cry, perplexed and bewildered, O God hear my cry! O God, O God, hear my cry!
The enemy shouteth, the godless come fast, perplexed and bewildered O God, hear my cry! O God hear my cry, perplexed and bewildered, O God, hear my cry. O God, hear my cry, O God hear my cry, O God, hear my cry! O God hear my cry!
My heart is sorely pained within my breast. My soul with deathly terror is oppressed. Trembling and fearfulness upon me fall, with horror overwhelmed, Lord, hear me call, Lord, hear me call! With horror overwhelmed, Lord, hear me call!
O for the wings, for the wings of a dove! Far away, far away would I rove! O for the wings, for the wings of a dove! Far away, far away, far away, far away would I rove!
In the wilderness build me a nest and remain there forever at rest. In the wilderness build me, build me a nest and remain there forever at rest. In the wilderness build me a nest and remain there forever at rest, and remain there forever at rest, and I'll remain there forever at rest.
O for the wings of a dove, O for the wings of a dove! O for the wings, for the wings of a dove! Far away, far away, far away, far away, far away from the world, far away. In the wilderness, in the wilderness build me a nest and I'll remain there forever at rest, remain there forever at rest, remain there forever at rest.
O for the wings, for the wings of a dove, far away, far away would I rove. O for the wings, for the wings of a dove, far away, far away, far away, far away would I rove. In the wilderness build me a nest, that I'll be forever at rest, in the wilderness build me a nest and I'll remain there forever at rest, forever at rest, forever, forever at rest. And I'll remain there forever at rest, and I'll remain there forever at rest.
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