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]
Must have taken ages to edit a video like this.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.