Here before Dawn has yet to appear
A forest of song caresses my ear
A chorus of angels chases the night
And summons the morning’s shimmering light
I look to the East, I gaze at the skies
And soon I can see her sparkling eyes
With visions of her sweet smile
Still lingering
I knew it as soon as she stepped on the scene
Here was the woman revealed in a dream
Serene in a confidence fastened to Truth
Veiling a glory of permanent youth
I pray to the Lord, “O, how could it be,
That You have provided this gift unto me?
For I’m just an ungrateful child
Still lost in sin”
Long after time has ceased to make sense
No longer trapped in these temporal tents
The logic of all of Your Love will be known
I will bow down at Your radiant throne
And when I look up, without any word
I’ll know all the pleas of my heart had been heard
That You made the two of us one
To worship You
Together
And to gather Together
The One, The One The One, The One
The One, from the beginning T
he One, here at the end
The One, keeps us from sinning T
he One, our dearest Friend
He spoke us into existence
Exploding out of the void
The One, The One T
he One, without a blemish
The One, washes us clean
The One, sent to replenish
The One, sent to redeem
The One, put it in practice
The One, shows us the way
\The One, giving us access
The One, hears when we pray
Though bruised beyond recognition
His wounds have covered our sins
The One, The One
The One, vanquishing Satan
The One, conquered the grave
The One, might keep us waitin’
But the One is mighty to save
The One, beyond comprehension
The One, bringing Shalom
The One, lessening tension
The One, making us whole
Not one of His promises fails us
Our Comforter here in the storm
The One, The One
The One, never forsakes us
The One, always is true
The One, loving and gracious
The One, cares what we do
The One, created the cosmos
The One, counts every star
The One, sees without flaws so
The One, knows who we are
He disciplines us as Our Father
His Mysteries being revealed
The One, The One
The One, stands in the doorway T
he One, knocks at our heart
The One, loves us in more ways
So the One, never will part
The One, holy and righteous
The One, reigns from His throne
The One, ever delights us
The One, calling us Home
He’ll come in shimmering glory
To judge the living and dead
The One, The One The One, The One
Sittin’ to watch the sunset
Sharin’ the latest news
What’s in my heart there’s one bet
I’m tellin’ ya’ what I got I got the ‘Rona Blues
Never been so frustrated
Bring me a barrel-o-booze
I’m tappin’ it till I’m sated
I’m tellin’ ya’ what I got I got the ‘Rona Blues
Lord, how I’m feelin’ desperate
Dreadin’ the bitter end
But maybe there’ll be a respite
Comin’ around the bend
And so as I leave you wond'ring
Whether I’ve blown a fuse
I’m certain of only one thing
I’m tellin’ ya’ what I got I got the ‘Rona Blues
I’m tellin’ ya’ what I got I got the ‘Rona Blues
Let us grow in wisdom and power and love
Break open my heart
Focus my eyes
Lord, set me apart
And make me wise
Though lawlessness spills
All over this place
Lord, harness my will
To seek only Thy face
When floodwaters crest
Then slowly subside
Lord, into Thy rest
Please let me abide
Till righteousness reigns
And we claim the prize
Lord, ease all our pains
And make us wise
How can all o’ you be so stupid?
How come everything’s such a mess?
How’re you so quickly deluded
Trustin’ every word of the press?
You’re fallin’ for the schemes of the devil
Don’t ya’ know he lurks in the church?
He’ll tinker with yer’ thinkin’ and then he’ll
Leave ya’ all alone in a Lurch
Be reconciled
Come as a child
Rest in His embrace
Glory in His face
Of love for us
Amen
How could I be so apathetic
Not to notice all of her pain?
Shelter-less and so unprotected
Shiverin’ alone in the rain
Neither can I know all the sorrow
That bigotry and racism wreak
Help me, Lord, to make a tomorrow
Where selfless love is all that I seek
Be reconciled
Come as a child
Rest in His embrace
Glory in His face
Of love for us
Amen
A loving wife
You gave us life
Now here we are
To ease your strife
Time to close your eyes
No more painful sighs
Heaven waits on high
A Golden Lullaby
You’ve done your best
We’ll do the rest
The four of us
The ones you blessed
Nurtured by your love
We all rose above
Heaven waits on high
A Golden Lullaby
Now it’s time
To ease your mind
To leave all cares
And doubts behind
Take a final breath
No despair in death
Heaven waits on high
A Golden Lullaby
And as we try
To say goodbye
Tears we’ll cry
A Golden Lullaby
The photo was taken just before dawn at the Gustafson Family Cabin on the 2018 Summer Solstice. Dawn was written during that same trip. The One represents an experimental attempt to create a new genre, combining gospel and rap. The 'Rona Blues was largely written while sitting around a campfire at sunset at a friend's house, early in the Pandemic. Make Us Wise was started during one of many long road-trips from St. Louis back to my home at that time, Walla Walla. Be Reconciled was inspired as the answer to a challenge to come up with a theme song for an annual Unity in The Lou event that I launched via my non-profit working to heal STL race relations, the St. Louis Reconciliation Network. A Golden Lullaby was started as I was sitting by Mom's side during one of her last few evenings with us. I played the tune for her as she was slipping in and out of sleep, and added the words a few days after she passed.
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