RISE Song Lyric Archive

“The 23rd Psalm/Amazing Grace”

The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want;
He makes me to lie down,
In pastures green; he leads me
To the quiet waters by.

My soul he does restore again,
And He makes me to walk
Within the paths of righteousness,
All for his own name's sake.

Yet, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Oh, I will fear no ill:
For He is with me, and his rod
And staff do comfort still.

He’s set a feast before my eyes,
In presence of my foes;
My head with oil He anoints
My cup, it overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Will surely follow me;
And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.

“Beach Spring” (Holy Spirit, come with power)

~Text: B. F. White, arr. Brent M. Holl

Holy Spirit, come with power, breathe into our aching night.
We expect you this glad hour, waiting for your strength and light.
We are fearful, we are ailing, we are weak and selfish too.
Break upon your congregation, give us vigor, life anew.

Holy Spirit, come with fire, burn us with your presence new.
Let us as one mighty choir sing our hymn of praise to you.
Burn away our wasted sadness and enflame us with your love.
Burst upon your congregation, give us gladness from above.

Holy Spirit, bring your message, burn and breathe each word anew
Deep into our tired living till we strive your work to do.
Teach us love and trusting kindness, lend our hands to those who hurt.
Breathe upon your congregation and inspire us with your word.

“Blessed Are… (If You’re Happy)”

~Brent Holl

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.

If you’re happy and you know it sing a song.
If you’re happy and you know it sing along!
If you’re happy and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it,
If you’re happy and you know it sing a song.

Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Be Thou My Vision”

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father; thine own may I be,
Thou in me dwelling and I one with thee.

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art

High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all

_______________________________________

"Be Thou My Vision" is an 8th century Irish hymn that was translated by Eleanor Hull in 1912. Today the hymn is sung to the Irish folk tune "Slane". This song is rooted in medieval Celtic Christianity and is believed to be an original poem that may have been written by an Irish saint who experienced blindness later in life.

“Blessed Are…”

~Brent Holl

Refrain: (for RISE)
Let us RISE up singing a new song
Let us RISE up singing all day long
Let your voices blend together
As we sing out loud and long
Let us RISE up singing a new song

Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Let us RISE up singing a new song
Let us RISE up singing all day long
Let your voices blend together
As we sing out loud and long
Let us RISE up singing a new song
(Repeat)

“BLESSED BE GOD’S NAME”

Like the sun & the moon, love will endure
Blessed be God’s name
From age unto age & shore unto shore
Blessed be God’s name

Let the mountains & the hills bring a message of peace
Blessed be God’s name
As welcome as rain that falls on dry soil
Blessed be God’s name

Defending the poor & the children in need
Blessed be God’s name
Redeeming their lives from exploitation & greed
Blessed be God’s name

Advocates of force will shrink from love’s power
Blessed be God’s name
Love’s harvest abundant, luxuriant in flower
Blessed be God’s name

Like the sun & the moon, love will endure
Blessed be God’s name
From age unto age & shore unto shore
Blessed be God’s name

“Bread and Fishes”

~Alan Bell

As I went a walkin' one mornin' in spring
I met with some travelers in an old country lane
One was an old man, the second a maid
And the third was a young boy who smiled as he said

We've the wind in the willows, and the birds in the sky
We've a bright sun to warm us, where ever we lie
We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of man-kind

I sat down beside them, the flowers all around
And we ate on a mantle spread out on the ground
They told me of prophets and princes and kings
And they spoke of the one god who knows everything

We've the wind in the willows, and the birds in the sky
We've a bright sun to warm us, where ever we lie
We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of man-kind

I asked them to tell me their name and their race
So I might remember their kindness and grace
"My name is Joseph, this is Mary my wife
And this is our young son, our pride and delight”
We travel the whole world, by land and by sea
To tell all the people how they might be free

Like the wind in the willows, and the birds in the sky
We've a bright sun to warm us, where ever we lie
We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of man-kind

Sadly, I left them, in an old country lane
For I knew that I never would see them again
One was an old man, the second a maid
And the third was a young boy who smiled as he said:

We've the wind in the willows, and the birds in the sky
We've a bright sun to warm us, where ever we lie
We have bread and fishes and a jug of red wine
To share on our journey with all of man-kind

“CALLED OR NOT CALLED”

~Shawn Kirchner

Called or not called, God is there
Called or not called, God is there
Called or not called, God is there
The hand of the maker is everywhere

Named or unnamed…

Seen or unseen…

Known or unknown…

Called or not called…

“COME, THOU FOUNT (NETTLETON)”

Come, thou fount of ev’ry blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace.
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I'm come,
and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wand'ring from the fold of God.
He to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wand'ring heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above!

“The COmmon Good”

~Chris Zepp

In this world where strife and hatred cause division with our friends
It is hard to find a vision that unites instead of rends
Politicians stoke division, talking heads just make it worse
So-called leaders chase poll numbers, taking care of their own purse

Our attention gets diverted, scapegoats blamed for all our ills
Immigrants and those of color, and the rednecks in the hills
Queer and trans folk, even women - we could all make quite a list!
Irregardless of our passions, everyone must coexist

But the church should be much different — for each other we should live
Looking not to our own interests, but instead to what we give
Can we take our love and caring into public, witness bear?
The Golden Rule we preach on Sunday, our world needs us all to share

The pursuit of earthly treasure drives us all to some degree
Yet the quest for wealth and riches will not lead us to be free
Jesus calls us to be giving, generous with all we own
Open handed with our bounty - needy cared for, justice sown

In this country, it is given — certain rights won’t be suppressed
Life and liberty and freedom to pursue our happiness
But our freedom doesn’t come free, obligation is implied
Liberty does not come solo — to our neighbors it is tied

Politics cause us to worry, what will happen in the end
It is tempting to believe that all depends on who will win
Yes the outcome can determine whether justice will be done
But no matter who’s elected, we still live by faith alone

We are called to love our neighbors even when we disagree
Work for justice, and for mercy — turn the “me” into a “we”
Then together we shall flourish, treating each as if our own
The common good shall be our calling — faith-filled values be made known

“Count Well the Cost”

~Michael Stern

Count well the cost of building some-thing right from the start
A new congregation or a work of art
There may be trials that seem to tear all your work apart
Count well the cost of patience, of heart
Count when you’re making a start
Count and then follow your heart

Count well the cost of following the one crucified
The river Jordan is deep and wide
And it’s not easy crossing to the other side
To love and to serve, to swallow your pride
Count well before you decide

Count well the cost of waging peace for often we fail.
In some situations may end up in jail.
To find a joy born of suffering, a freedom born of pain
count well the cost then wage peace again.
Wage peace all over again.

Count well the cost of following the one who would forgive
seven times seventy, so shall we live.
To find a joy born of suffering, a freedom born of pain,
count well the cost then forgive again.
For-give again and again.

“Dance”

~Michael Stern

Dance as if no one was watching
Sing as if no one could hear
Love as if your heart had not been broken

Walk throughout the woodland alters
Gaze as if seeing for the first time
Love as if your heart had not been broken

Laugh as if you were a child
Live as if your dreams had come true
Love as if your heart had not been broken

Dance as if no one was watching
Gaze as if seeing for the first time
Love as if your heart had not been broken

Sing as if no one could hear you
Live as if your dreams had come true.

“Dayton” (“Where Charity and Love Prevail”)

Where charity and love prevail there God is ever found;
brought here together by Christ’s love, by love are we thus bound.

With grateful joy and holy fear true charity we learn.
Let us with heart and mind and strength now love Christ in return.

Forgive we now each other's faults as we our faults confess,
and let us love each other well in Christian holiness.

Let us recall that in our midst dwells God's begotten Son.
As members of his body joined, we are in Christ made one.

Love can exclude no race or creed if honored be God's name.
Our common life embraces all whose maker is the same.

“Down in the Valley to Pray”

~The earliest known version of the song, titled "The Good Old Way," was published in Slave Songs of the United States in 1867. The song (#104) was contributed to that book by George H. Allan of Nashville, Tennessee, who may also have been the transcriber.

As I went down in the valley to pray,
Studying about that good old way,
When you shall wear the starry crown,
Good Lord, show me the way.
O Sisters, let's go down, let's go down, let's go down,
O Sisters, let's go down,
Down in the valley to pray

O Brothers. . .

O Mothers. . .

O Fathers. . .

All Together. . .

“Down the Road”

~Bill Staines

I do believe that there will be
Waiting for me somewhere down the road
Another song …. that’s worth the singing,
That's worth the singing, somewhere down the road

Down the road, down the road,
Another song worth singing down the road
If the way seems long and slow, remember when you go,
There's a song worth singing down the road

I do believe that there will be
Waiting for me somewhere down the road
Another friend that's worth the knowing,
That's worth the knowing, somewhere down the road

Down the road, down the road,
Another friend worth knowing down the road
If the way seems long and slow, remember when you go,
There's a friend worth knowing down the road

I do believe that there will be
Waiting for me somewhere down the road
Another day that's worth the living,
That's worth the living, somewhere down the road

Down the road, down the road,
Another day worth living down the road
If the way seems long and slow, remember when you go,
There's a day worth living down the road

If the way seems long and slow, remember when you go,
There's a song worth singing,
A friend worth knowing,
There's a day worth living down the road

“For The Beauty Of The Earth”

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight;

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild;

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

“Gabriel’s Message”

~Sabine Barin-Gould

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame.
"All hail," said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favor’d lady." Gloria!

"For known as blessed mother thou shalt be,
all generations laud and honor thee.
Thy son shall be Immanuel by seers foretold,
most highly favor’d lady." Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said.
"My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name."
Most highly favor’d lady, Gloria!

“Glory”

~Mike Stern

Glory in the highest, glory in each lowly one,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun.

Glory in the children and when the day has begun,
Glory in the lines of old faces and when the day is done,

Glory in the highest, glory in each lowly one,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun.

There’s no glory in the battle nor the barrel of a gun,
There’s no glory in killing, no war victory to be won, but there’s

Glory in the highest, glory in each lowly one,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun.

Glory to the creator, glory to the One,
Glory to the spirit, glory to the Three in One,

Glory in the highest, glory in each lowly one,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun.

The earth and all it’s fullness and all it’s daughters and sons,
Belong to the glory and the glory still to come.

Glory in the highest, glory in each lowly one,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun.

“Great is the Lord”

~Michael W. Smith

Great is the Lord, he is holy and just
by his power we trust in his love.
Great is the Lord, he is faithful and true,
by his mercy he proves he is love.

Great is the Lord, and worthy of glory!
Great is the Lord, and worth of praise.
Great is the Lord; now lift up your voice,
now lift up your voice:

Great is the Lord! (x2)

Great is the Lord, he is holy and just
by his power we trust in his love.
Great is the Lord, he is faithful and true,
by his mercy he proves he is love.

Great are you, Lord, and worthy of glory!
Great are you, Lord, and worth of praise.
Great are you, Lord; I lift up my voice,
I lift up my voice:

Great are you, Lord! (x2)

“Great is Thy Faithfulness”

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with 10, 000 beside

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

“The Great Storm is Over”

~Bob Franke

The thunder and lightning gave voice to the night,
The little lame child cried aloud in her fright,
Hush little baby, a story I'll tell,
Of a love that has conquered the powers hell.

Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!
Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!

Sweetness in the air and justice on the wind
Laughter in the house where the mourners have been
The deaf shall have music, the blind have new eyes
The standards of death taken down by surprise.

Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!
Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!

Release for the captives, an end to the wars
New streams in the desert, new hope for the poor,
The little lame children will dance as they sing,
And play with the bears and the lions in spring.

Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!
Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!

Hush little baby, let go of your fear,
The lord loves his own and your mother is here,
The child fell asleep as the lantern did burn,
The mother sang on 'til her bridegroom's return.

Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!
Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!

“Guide My Feet”

Guide my feet, while I run this race
Guide my feet, while I run this race
Guide my feet, while I run this race
For I don’t want to run this race in vain.

Hold My Hand….
Stand by Me….
I’m your child…
Search my heart…
Guide my feet…

“Hamba nathi”

~South African*

Hamba nathi mkululu wetu (“Hahmba ante koo-loo-loo weh-too”)
Hamba nathi mkululu wetu
Hamba nathi mkululu wetu
Hamba nathi mkululu wetu

mkululu, mkululu, mkululu wetu
mkululu, mkululu, mkululu wetu
mkululu, mkululu, mkululu wetu
mkululu, mkululu, mkululu wetu

Come walk with us the journey is long (4x)
The journey, the journey, the journey is long (4x)

Set us all free, give us your love (4x)
Give us, give us, give us your love (4x)

Set us all free, give us your joy…

Set us all free, give us your peace…

_____________

*This powerful South African Freedom song lends itself as a song of welcome, inclusion, or a powerful sending song. The closest translation is “Go with us, our savior” but many poetic translations can be found including, “Come walk with us, the journey is long” (Anders Nyberg), and “God is with us, Lord, and set us all free/give us your (love, joy, peace)” (Paul Vasile).

“He came down so we can make joyful noise!”

~Adapted by Brent Holl

Some joyful noise:
1. (Soda) POP! (Soda) cracker
2. Fellowship, Fellowship, RISE! Praise God!
3. Fellowship, Fellowship, RISE!

He came down that we may have Love (3x)
Hallelujah forever more! (Why did he come?)

He came down that we may have peace (3x)
Hallelujah forever more! (Why did he come?)

He came down that we may have joy (3x)
Hallelujah forever more!

(Sing it all again!)

“HERE I AM LORD”

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

“Higher Ground”

~Johnson Oatman, Jr & Charles H. Gabriel, 1892

I’m pressing on the upward way,
new heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
still praying as I’m onward bound,
”Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Lord, life me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
where doubts arise and fears dismay;
tho’ some may dwell where these abound,
my prayer, my aim is higher ground.

Lord, life me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
tho’ Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
for faith has caught the joyful sound,
the song of saints on higher ground.

Lord, life me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height,
and catch a gleam of glory bright;
but still I pray till heav’n I’ve found,
”Lord, lead me onto higher ground.”

Lord, life me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

“Higher Ground”

~Michael Stern

River water rising
Rain still comin’ down
The ‘ol farm’s a lake, but if the levees break
It’ll damn near take this whole town

It’s like livin’ in a nightmare
That you can’t believe is true
How we’ll clean up this mess is anybody’s guess
Don’t know how we’ll make it through

I’m headed up to higher ground
I heard a stranger say
And with a hand held out to me, said
We’d best be on our way

We don’t have much money
And we’re runnin’ out of gas
This crazy war goes on & now our house is gone
We just pray this too will pass

I’m headed up to higher ground
I heard a stranger say
And with a hand held out to me, said
We’d best be on our way

All across this country
All across this land
From east to west folks will do their best
To lend a helpin’ hand

I’m headed up to higher ground
I heard my neighbor say
And with a hand held out to me, said
We’d best be on our way

River water rising
Rain still comin’ down
The ‘ol farm’s a lake, but if the levees break
It’ll damn near take this whole town

It’s like livin’ in a nightmare
That you can’t believe is true
How we’ll clean up this mess is anybody’s guess
Don’t know how we’ll make it through

I’m headed up to higher ground
I heard a stranger say
And with a hand held out to me, said
We’d best be on our way

We’re headed up to higher ground
I heard the people say.
And with their hands held out to me said
We’d best be on our way.
And with their hands held out to me said
We’d best be on our way.

“Hold on”

~American Spiritual, arr. Mahalia Jackson

Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on

Heard the voice of Jesus say
Come unto me, I am the way.
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on.

When my way gets dark as night,
I know the Lord will be my light,
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on.

Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on

You can talk about me much as you please
The more you talk, gonna stay on my knees.
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on.

When I get to heaven, gonna sing and shout
Be nobody there to put me out.
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on.

Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on

Brothers and Sisters don’t you cry!
There’ll be good times by and by
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on.

When I get to heaven, gonna sing and shout
Be nobody there to put me out.
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on

Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on

“Holy Manna”

~William Moore/The Columbian Harmony

Brethren, we have met to worship and adore the Lord our God.
Will you pray with all your power while we try to preach the word?
All is vain unless the Spirit of the holy One comes down.
Brethren pray, and holy manna will be showered all a-round.

Sisters, will you come and help us? Moses' sisters aided him.
Will you help the trembling mourners who are struggling hard with sin?
Tell them all about the Savior. Tell them that he will be found.
Sisters, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

Is there here a trembling jailer, seeking grace and filled with tears?
Is there here a weeping Mary pouring forth a flood of tears?
Brethren, join your cries to help them, sisters, let your prayers abound!
Pray, oh pray that holy manna will be showered all around.

Let us love our God supremely, let us love each other, too.
Let us love and pray for sinners till our God makes all things new.
Christ will call us home to heaven, at his table we'll sit down.
Christ will gird himself and serve us with sweet manna all around.

“How Can I Keep From Singing”

My life flows on in endless song,
above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear its music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close,
songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes, the clouds grow thin,
I see the blue above it.
And day by day this pathway clears,
since first I learned to love it.
The peace from love makes fresh my heart,
a song of hope is ringing.
All things are mine, since truth I’ve found.
How can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

“How Can I Keep From Singing”

~Pete Seeger* (see note below)

My life fows on in endless song, above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear its music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars, I hear the truth it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close, songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble in their fear and hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing?

In prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging.
When friends by shame are undefled, how can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes, the clouds grow thin, I see the blue above it.
And day by day this pathway clears, since first I learned to love it.

The peace from love makes fresh my heart, a song of hope is ringing.
All things are mine, since truth I’ve found. How can I keep from singing?

_______________________________________

*The original hymn text may well be a Quaker hymn written in the 1850’s by Ann Warner who lived on an island in the Hudson River. Her text refers to Quakers who were jailed for their beliefs. Pete Seeger brought the song to life in 1957 by publishing it in Sing Out Magazine. He learned the third verse (When tyrants...) from Doris Plenn, who wrote it during the McCarthy era in tribute to those, like Pete Seeger, who refused to take loyalty oaths and were often punished.

The hymn text and the original tune in the The Worship Book hymnal are attributed to Robert Lowry. The original tune was later adapted and arranged by Ira Sankey

“I shall not be moved”

Refrain:
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved

Glory hallelujah, I shall not be moved
Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved

In His love abiding, I shall not be moved
And in Him confiding, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the water
I shall not be moved

I shall not be, I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved

I’ve got the fire and the Holy Ghost, I shall not be moved
I got the fire and the Holy Ghost, I shall not be moved
Just like a tree that’s planted by the water
I shall not be moved

Though the tempest rages, I shall not be moved
On the rock of ages, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the water
I shall not be moved

I shall not be, I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved

“If I had a Hammer”

~Pete Seeger and Lee Hays

If I had a hammer,
I'd hammer in the morning,
I'd hammer in the evening,
All over this land,
I'd hammer out danger,
I'd hammer out a warning,
I'd hammer out love between,
My brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

If I had a bell,
I'd ring it in the morning,
I'd ring in the evening,
All over this land,
I'd ring out danger,
I'd ring out a warning,
I'd ring out love between,
My brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

If I had a song,
I'd sing it in the morning,
I'd sing it in the evening,
All over this land,
I'd sing out danger,
I'd sing out a warning,
I'd sing out love between,
My brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

Well, I've got a hammer
and I've got a bell
and I've got a song to sing
all over this land
It's the hammer of justice
It's the bell of freedom
It's a song about love between
My brothers and my sisters
All over this land.

“In CHrist There Is No East Or West”

~Joel and Melissa Littlepage, arr. by Brent Holl

In Christ there is no East or West, in him no North or South
But one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.

In him shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find.
His service is the golden cord close binding humankind.

Join hands then children of the faith! What er'e your race may be.
Whoever serves God as His child is surely kin to me!

In Christ, we all are called His friends, adding to his Love.
We bear the fruits of Love and Joy, which come from God above

In Christ we all are welcome here, His gracious love to share,
We have a place here with our friends, who come from everywhere

“I've Been a-List'ning All de Night Long”

~R. N. Dett, 1927 as performed by Jean Ritchie

(Throughout the song, leader sings once; congregation sings once in response.)

Chorus:
I've been listening all the night long,
Been listening all the day
I've been listening all the night long,
To hear some sinner pray.

Some say John was a Baptist,
Some say he was a Jew,
But the Bible does inform us
He was a preacher too.

Go read the fifth of Matthew,
Go read that chapter through,
It is a guide to Christians,
And tells us what to do.

There was a search in heaven,
And all the earth around,
John stood in sorrow hoping
A Saviour would be found.

“Joy to The World”

~Isaac Watts

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns
Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders, of His love

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

“JUBILEE”

~ Michael Stern

Seven weeks of years, the trumpet sounds in our ears

We will not be silent till justice shines like the dawn
We will not grow weary till that last light is gone

Good news to the poor, the broken hearts heal
Captives will find liberty
Nation shall not make war upon nation
Out of darkness, the light of jubilee

None will be forsaken, comfort those who mourn
Restoration out of ruin, glorious flower from a thorn

Good news to the poor, the broken hearts heal
Captives will find liberty
Nation shall not make war upon nation
Out of darkness, the light of jubilee

The earth just like a garden makes a seed to grow
So shall justice & mercy bloom for all nations to know

Good news to the poor, the broken hearts heal
Captives will find liberty
Nation shall not make war upon nation
Out of darkness, the light of jubilee

We will not be silent till justice shines like the dawn
We will not grow weary till that last light is gone

_______________________________

The Story:
It is almost impossible to look at the chaos in the world and not conclude that things are seriously out of whack. Wars and rumors of wars. Famine and disease. Systemic racism and radical income disparity are testament to a severe lack of balance in the world. The ancient Hebrew concept of Jubilee is grounded in a recognition that as time passes humans will move away from the balance that the Creator intended. Thus, it is necessary to call a hard stop every 50 years and reset the balance: prisoners must be set free, captives and slaves released from bondage, land lost or stolen returned. The shock that Jesus brings to the world is that he opens his prophetic ministry with the audacious declaration that now is the time for Jubilee; the time to re-balance what we through our brokenness have thrown out of kilter. What might it mean for each of us to live in a constant state of Jubilee? To truly embrace the power and freedom of living in balance?
~Jonathan Hunter

“Keep On the Sunny Side”

~Ada Blenkhorn and J. Howard Entwisle

There's a dark and a trouble side of life
There's a bright and a sunny side too
Though we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also have in view.

So keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help you everyday it will brighten all the way
If you'll keep on the sunny side of life.

Oh the storm in its fury broke today
Crushing hopes that I cherish so dear
Clouds and storms will in time pass away
And the sun again will shine bright and clear.

So keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help you everyday it will brighten all the way
If you'll keep on the sunny side of life.

Let us greet with a song of hope each day
Though the moments be cloudy or fair
Let us trust that our Saviour always
Will keep us everyone in his care.

So keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help you everyday it will brighten all the way
If you'll keep on the sunny side of life.

“Keep Your Lamps”

~Gary Davis

Keep your lamps trimmed an burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Come see what the Lord has done.

Children, don't grow weary,
Children, don't grow weary,
Children, don’t grow weary,
Come see what the Lord has done.

Troubles and trials soon be over,
Troubles and trials soon be over,
Troubles and trials soon be over,
Come see what the Lord has done.

Keep your lamps trimmed an burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Come see what the Lord has done.

Soon the morning will be breaking,
Soon the morning will be breaking,
Soon the morning will be breaking,
Come see what the Lord has done.

Brothers and Sisters keep on singing,
Brothers and Sisters keep on singing,
Brothers and Sisters keep on singing,
Come see what the Lord has done.

Keep your lamps trimmed an burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Come see what the Lord has done.

“Kingsfold” (“I heard the voice of Jesus say”)

~Horatius Bonar/Irish Folk Melody

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest.
Lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad.
I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Behold I freely give
The living water, thirsty one; stoop down and drink and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream.
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, "I am this dark world's light.
Look unto me, your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my star, my sun,
And in that light of life I'll walk till trav'ling days are done.

“LEST WE FORGET”

~Michael Stern

Lest we forget in our striving to win
Where we are going and where we have been
Remember the dawn and the glorious sunset
Remember lest we forget

Lest we forget as we struggle in love
The gift of each other is a gift from above
As we forgive others, forgive our debt
Remember lest we forget

Lest we forget or if we should get lost
The things we can hold to whatever the cost
Creator, Redeemer will be with us yet
Remember lest we forget

Lest we forget to see God in each face
For in serving each other, receive wondrous grace
Through peace, justice, mercy we’ll never regret
Remember lest we forget
Through peace, justice, mercy we’ll never regret
Remember lest we forget

“Let Me Be This Little Light”

This little light of mine…I’m gonna let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? *NO!* I’m gonna let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won’t let anyone blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

All through the night, I’m gonna let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let me be a light for Hope
Let me be a light for Peace
From the seas below to the skies above
Let me be a light for Love.

“Lord, Listen to your Children”

Lord, listen to your children praying
Lord, send your Spirit in this place
Lord, listen to your children praying
Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace…

(Repeat)

“Lord of the Dance ”

~Hymn - Sydney Carter / Tune - Simple Gifts

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.