Poetic Verse & Lyrics
The following lyrics are pulled up my files from days gone by. They are of a song I'd written in 1977 for duet presentation by my wife and me at a men and ladies banquet held in Evangel Church in Chatham, Ontario. It was originally in 3/4 timing which was still quite common in Christian songs in those days, but it can work quite well in 4/4. That gives it quite a different feel. Brothers ... Sisters 1. For brotherly kindness we thank You O Lord, For Love and harmony, too; We join together in worship of God, The right of His children to do. (Refrain) Brothers, Sisters, to Jesus be true, Helping, praying, for others each day; You need the others, who also need you, In this sweet spirit we’ll stay. 2. Redeemed, we can sing from the heart a new song, United by grace we stand; Ev’ry member is part of a mighty throng Related by the blood of the Lamb. © Peter A. Black, 1977 / 2009
This song was written out a heart overflowing with gratitude to God for His mercy and grace towards me and my family. However, when I wrote it on January1st, 1976, I had no idea that decades later I would be diagnosed with a lung condition, and that I would come to value every breath more than ever before. Peter B., August 8, 2009.
Every Breath
1. Ev’ry breath I draw is but borrowed, Ev’ry heartbeat, a gift of God’s grace;
Each new day is yesterday’s tomorrow, Each new year shows how kindly, God’s face.
2. The past I don’t fully understand, A mixture of joy and some sorrow;
But I know that Jesus was with me, And that brightens my hope for tomorrow.
3. I am glad that my course You have charted, You will guide each step of the way;
Lord, help me to trust Your judgment, Lead me on till Eternity’s Day.
Chorus:
God is the Source of my life; The Start, the Way, and the End.
You know what’s best all the way through, Lord Jesus, my wonderful Friend.
[Repeat chorus, followed by repeat of last line]
© Peter A. Black 1976/77, 2009
Poetic Verse & Lyrics
Let us be grateful and give thanks for our great country, Canada, which despite any problems we may have is still one of the best countries--if not the best--in the world in which to live!
Below are the lyrics of a song I wrote in gratitude to God and praise of Canada in 1997, which my congregation have sung most years since on the Sunday prior to July 1st -- Canada Day. (A staff score choral version arranged by Joy Brown is available on request -- see Contact Us page.)
CANADA — From EAST To WEST
(Refrain)
O Canada! O Canada!
Canada so free;
Bless'd Jewel of the nations, fair,
Our home of liberty.
1. From East to West, from coast to coast
Of the country, wide and free,
Canada, our home and adopted land
Is magnificent to see:
Soaring peaks of mountains high,
To golden plains of grain;
From Summer’s green, to Winter’s white,
And crops bless’d by sun and rain.
(Refrain: O Canada! Etc.)
2. We pledge to you our prayer and song,
We ask God’s best for you;
Give courage to reject the wrong,
And grace the right to do.
Our people are from ev’ry land,
They need to know God’s Son;
Lord, give us pow’r to love them all —
That they to Your Love may come!
(Refrain: O Canada! — 2 X, then conclude with:)
We love you, Canada!
© Peter A. Black, 1997 /2009
~~♥~~
Story of a Simple Song of Praise
The year was 1969. May and I lived in Aberdeen, Scotland, at the time, and our first of three sons was 'on the way'. It was a lovely evening once the heavens turned off a brief shower, and so we set out to walk the mile from our apartment to the hall that our church fellowship rented for services.
Shadows lengthened as the still bright sun began its descent, and shafts of light peeked from behind banks of cloud set in a deep blue sky to strike the moist surface of granite buildings, which responded with diamond-like sparkles (a distinctive feature of the 'Granite City'). The joy of the Lord filled my heart, and by the time we arrived at our destination, the following lines plus a melody were composed. Oh, I know it's an older genre of both lyric and melody, but I still enjoy playing and belting it out with my aging voice four decades later in nursing home services from time to time.
Praise the Lord, Praise His Name! Praise the Lord, Praise His Name! Sunshine or shadow, He’s always the same; Ev’ry day new blessings He brings, Some day He’s coming, King of all kings! © Peter A. Black, 1969 / 2009 ~~♥~~ The following lines were written several decades ago in honour of a family friend, Eva Wagner, whose natural mothering heart has touched many lives over the years. (They are actually three verses of four lines; but are here modified on account of the way the site program formats it.) A PRICELESS POSSESSION A priceless possession for any man, To be replaced – it never can; Am I speaking of gold, silver, or other? No, this treasure is simply a mother! Whether a mother by birth, or by selection, Or by affinity and mutual affection; She, who cares, listens, and kindly advises Can be claimed one of Friendship’s prizes. God only – knows the powerful example Of godly women with faith that’s ample: Many a dear man’s life is saved from a mess Through a dear mother’s faithfulness! © Peter A. Black 1977 / 2009 ~~♥~~ 'Creators’ Made from Clay Our creativity is to be enjoyed, expressed and shared– To draw attention to the Creator of all things To raise the gaze beyond the works of our hands To see the creative hand of God in the lives of others To participate in the outworking of redemption through Christ To be as clay in the Divine Potter’s hand To become a genuine worshiper and lover of God To participate in His recreative work of making worshipers out of lumps of clay. © Peter A. Black, 2007. The above lines were written as an introduction to a Sunday evening service devotional focus in which it was considered that Creator God created us to create. Creativeness is an aspect of His divine image in us, however imperfect and distorted that image may be. God works redemptively as we are placed on the Potter's wheel and are supple in His hands to be fashioned according to His purpose and plan. ~~♥~~ The following lines are of a Good Friday - Easter choral piece by P. Black, originally written in roundelay form for a capella presentation. It has since been arranged by Joy Brown to include a basic optional keyboard /piano accompaniment. The first (Passion) stanza is in the minor key, and the second (Resurrection) stanza moves into the major. Staff music copy masters and permissions for use can be negotiated by emailing raisegaze@execulink.com Jesus is Crucified ... Jesus is Risen!
See, Jesus is crucified on Calv’ry,
See the thorn crown on His brow;
Jesus is suff’ring, dying for our pardon,
Hear His triumphant “It is finished!” now.
In the cold, dark tomb in the garden,
The stone is rolled to seal the door.
On the third day, early in the morning
The stone rolled away,
Death can keep Him no more!
See, on the third day,
Early in the morning,
The stone rolled away,
Death can keep Him no more!
Christ Jesus is risen, glory, hallelujah!
He is risen from the dead!
Jesus is risen, glory, hallelujah!
He is risen, even as He said!
Come, and join our happy chorus;
He is risen from the dead.
Jesus is risen, glory, hallelujah!
He is risen, even as He said!
Christ Jesus is risen,
Glory, hallelujah!
He is risen, even as He said!
Jesus lives!
©Peter A. Black, 1999
~~♥~~
These lines and its melody were composed following a time of prayer for a number of persons of my acquainatnce and family who were going through some distressing circumstances and illness. One day I hope to get the music written down and perhaps the piece recorded. I've sung it self- accompanied on several occasions. The lyrics are much inspired by Matthew 11:28-30, and Colossians 3:1-4.
Deeper in the Father's Love
Jesus, it seems I hear you say
By Your Spirit in my heart today,
"Come, my weary child, come and be
Close to where you'll learn from Me." (Refrain:)
When you are weary, worn, and burdened,
The way be dark before you, too;
When in your mind you are distressed,
And you don't know what to do --
Take My yoke of grace upon you,
And find in Me your perfect Rest
Let us journey on together,
Throughout life's kind and stormy weather,
With our hearts set on things above,
Ever deeper in the Father's love. (Refrain:)
© Peter A. Black, 2005
~~♥~~
The following piece was published in The Poetry Institute of Canada's 2007 anthology ("From Wayside and Woodland"; p 437):
I AM
I sit here alone,
Quiet and still
Seeing nothing
Hearing nothing
Feeling nothing.
No pleasure.
No pain.
I am.
I once had a father
And a mother
A sister
And a brother.
I used to have legs that could walk
Hands that could work
And fingers that could feel.
I am.
I once had eyes that could see
And ears that could hear
A face that could smile
A voice that could sing.
I have a mind that thinks
A heart that loves
A spirit that worships.
I am.
© Peter A. Black – 2007
