No music touches me quite like Gospel music. When I sit down at my piano in the dark hours of the night, I can't help but play the opening notes of Brother Wilbur's favorite gospel tune. Upon hearing the B-flat drop a tone, I am transported to a praise service with all the saints of South Oak Cliff. I hear the heavenly declarations of Sister Saundra's beautiful voice, the artful licks of Brother Anthony's alto sax, and perfectly timed hits as Dee plays the drums. I hear all of this while enveloped in the heavenly choir that is the community around us - the grandparents long-weathered in church tradition, the adults praising for the first time, and the stray children playing with their friends in the back. I smell the freshly cooked meal that sits still-upon the serving tables, and I watch as folks continue to pour in from the open porch outside. Though it may seem to the onlooker that I am alone at my piano, I am surrounded by a memory of ecclesial community and the presence of saints who endure in worship. This memory is made living in my mind as my hands grace the keys with the very tune we would play those many nights ago.
In this issue of my journal, I want to share with you this genre of music that impacts me in such a profound way. Though I can't share the melodies, my exact memories, or what it feels like to be a part of this communion of the saints, I want to give you lyrics from several songs that have impacted me over the last few years. Some lyrics are only one line, and others extend beyond, but all of them have impacted me in one way or another. They may not touch you in the same way as they have me, but that uniquity is beautiful. These lyrics can impact you in a personal way, rooted in the memories and experiences of your own life's journey. It is my prayer that you find life in the lyrics of this genre and peace in the Jesus espoused within my musically-realized memory.
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In God's arms, I feel protected;
In God's arms, never disconnected;
In God's arms, I feel protected;
There's no place I'd rather be.
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Jesus on that mainline, tell him what you want.
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Somebody told me that you would wash all my sins,
And cleanse me from the scars that are so deep within;
So I'm calling to you, if you can hear me, I don't know how;
I was wondering, can you hold me now?
You are the only one that's patient when I fall;
Your angels come to save me every time I call;
You don't laugh at me when I make mistakes and cry;
You're not like men, you understand me.
See people change one day,
They don't like you, the next they do;
I wish that everyone could love me just like you;
So here I am, this sinful man peace won't allow,
I was wondering, can you hold me now?
When you are weak, that's when God's strong,
Even though you don't know how,
God can and will hold you now.
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Somethin' about the name Jesus,
Somethin' about the name Jesus,
It is the sweetest name I know.
Oh, how I love the name Jesus,
Oh, how I love the name Jesus,
It is the sweetest name I know.
Some people say I'm crazy but,
I can't explain, the power that I feel,
When I call your name.
Said it's just like fire, shot up in my bones
Yeah, the Holy Ghost is movin' y'all -
and it just won't leave me alone.
Oh, there's somethin'...
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God's got us,
God's in control, in control, in control,
God's got us,
Let God heal what you refuse to let go;
God can take nothing and make something great,
Make beautiful things from these ugly mistakes,
This is the promise,
God's got us.
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Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me;
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.
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Touch my hands, my mouth, and my heart;
Fill my life, God, every part;
Let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me;
Anointing fall on me.
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Because he lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because Jesus lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know he holds the future,
And life is worth the living, just because he lives.