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Ruth
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« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2006, 10:55:24 PM » |
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For All the Saints
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
All who by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
You were their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
You, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
You, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one within your great design.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O may your soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
But yet there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(William How 1823-1897)
That has always been one of my family's "songs," but after my dad died, it took on all new meaning.
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You gave your body to the lonely
They took your clothes
You gave up a wife and a family
You gave your ghost
To be alone with me
You went up on the tree
---
I always knew you
In your mother's arms
I have called you your name
I've an idea placed in your mind
To be better man
I've made a crown for you
Put it in your room
And when the bridegroom comes there will be noise
There will be glad
And a perfect bed
And when you write a poem
I know the words, I know the sounds
Before you write them down
And when you wear your clothes
I wear them too
I wear your shoes, and your jacket, too
I always knew you in your mother's arms
I have called you son
I've made amends between father and son
Or if you haven't one
Rest in my arms, sleep in my bed
There's a design to what I did and said.
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When he took the three disciples
to the mountainside to pray,
his countenance was modified, his clothing was aflame.
Two men appeared: Moses and Elijah came;
they were at his side.
The prophecy, the legislation spoke of whenever he would die.
Then there came a word
of what he should accomplish on the day.
Then Peter spoke, to make of them a tabernacle place.
A cloud appeared in glory as an accolade.
They fell on the ground.
A voice arrived, the voice of God,
the face of God, covered in a cloud.
What he said to them,
the voice of God: the most beloved son.
Consider what he says to you, consider what's to come.
The prophecy was put to death,
was put to death, and so will the Son.
And keep your word, disguise the vision till the time has come.
Lost in the cloud, a voice: Have no fear! We draw near!
Lost in the cloud, a sign: Son of man! Turn your ear!
Lost in the cloud, a voice: Lamb of God! We draw near!
Lost in the cloud, a sign: Son of man! Son of God!
(The last three songs or song snippets were written and performed by Sufjan Stevens)
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