More lyrics: The Path

Here's a piece I've been working on.  It feels good to be writing again, from both a creative and spiritual perspective.  I wrote a ton of songs and skits at Wood Badge--some of the other campers thought I was on staff--but they were light and fun.  This is more serious and hopefully better crafted.

Jehovah, help in ages past,
To thee I cry from thorny path,
Where sin and error would entwine,
Betwixt me and the one true Vine.

I thirst for living water, pure,
Which every malady may cure.
I yearn for righteousness, but faint--
O help me, God walk as a saint!

For errors made and virtue lost,
I seek the blood, the nails, the cross--
Cry Abba, Father, unto thee,
As path leads through Gethsemane.

At last, though my poor flesh should bleed,
To empty tomb my pathway leads,
Where I shall triumph o'er my foes,
And rest with thee in sweet repose.

Christmas in July: Emmanuel, Emmanuel

Remember the Christmas in July sales?  They don't seem to happen much anymore, but here's a bit of Christmas in July.  It's a contrafactum I wrote last year for O Tannenbaum.  I haven't been writing as much lately, but I feel I'm coming out of a dormant period, and reading my old stuff gets my creative juices flowing.  Besides, I have to write some Psalm texts as part of one of my ticket items from the Wood Badge course I attended in May.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, is born in lowly stable.
No royal bed to lay his head, a manger is his cradle,
While Mary watches through the night,
The star shines down its holy light--
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, is born in lowly stable

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, the shepherds kneel before thee.
No gift to bring the newborn King, they only shall adore thee.
The sheep now bleat, the oxen call,
To praise the God and Lord of all--
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, the shepherds kneel before thee.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, O may I e'er remember,
Through deepest plight and dark of night, thy love a burning ember--
The price paid in Gethsemane,
The cruel cross on Calvary--
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, O may I e'er remember.

Emmanuel, Emmanurl, O let thy arms enfold me
Till life is done, the vic'try won. O may I then behold thee.
Before thy throne, on bended knee,
I'll praise thy name eternally!
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, O let thy arms enfold me.