Week of 11 March 2008 Home Listening (2)

Home Listening 11 March 2008, Part 2

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THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD
    "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
    "Go up to Gilead and get balm, O Virgin Daughter of Egypt, but you multiply remedies in vain; there is no healing for you." Jeremiah 46:11

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Jeremiah mocks social cures to heal spiritual ills. This famous Gospel song agrees, saying the only balm in Gilead is spiritual, not secular. American writer, Edgar Allan Poe refers to these verses in his famous poem, The Raven: "'Is there -- is there balm in Gilead? -- tell me -- tell me I implore!' Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore.'" (listen to attached file). A version sung to an acoustic guitar can be heard here. A concert performance is here. Paul Robeson's concert performance at Carnegie Hall (1958) can be heard here.

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There 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. But 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. Don't ever feel discourageed for Jesus is your friend and if you lack for knowledge he'll ne'er refuse to lend. There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.

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THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD

Another Gospel song on Jeremiah's verses is performed by the famous Black Gospel group, The Clark Sisters, and can be heard here. Common in Gospel music (like the blues), verses from other songs are recycled (in this case, the end quote from the song heard above). A live version by the Clark Sisters is here. A solo performance, by a Clark sister, Karen, can be heard here.

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I know one who cares, found with him peace of mind. I know a man who's there, found a Prince so loving and kind. (2) There is a balm in Gilead (4). There is a youth in the Bible days to heal the sick and take the pain away. (2) There is a balm in Gilead (4). Well, well. There is a balm in Gilead (4). He healed the sick and he raised the dead, a thousand hungered soon he fed (2). Jesus is the balm in Gilead, he found victory in the grave. There is a balm in Gilead, yet there is, it will cure the sin-sick soul and make the wounded whole.

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