"Love follows knowledge."
"Beauty above all beauty!"
– St. Catherine of Siena

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Music Tuesday: Be Not Afraid by Catholic Artists

In these troubled times, here's something to brighten your day and bring some hope. A whole slew of Catholic composers and singers put together a composite rendition of "Be Not Afraid." It's wonderful, especially when you recognize some of the artists.   





I'm sure you've sung it at Mass.  I don’t recognize quite a few of the artists.  I will have to look them up and see if I like their music.

The song was composed by Bob Dufford, S.J. in 1972.  There’s a great article in America magazine (“Be Not Afraid”: The song that eases the biggest transitions in—and out of—life) on how the composition came about.   Bill Clinton even picked it to be sung at church service the morning of his inaugural.  It’s a beautiful song.  Here are the lyrics.

Be Not Afraid

You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.

[Chorus]
Be not afraid.
I go before you always;
Come follow me,
and I will give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side,
know that I am with you through it all.

[Chorus]

Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked men insult and hate you all because of me,
blessed, blessed are you!

[Chorus]

And when the earth has turned beneath you and your voice is seldom heard,
When the flood of gifts that blessed your life has long since ebbed away,
When your mind is thick and hope is thin and dark is all around,
I will stand beside you till the dawn.


[Chorus]

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