Tom Conroy has written a song that has performance choir written all over it. You can hear the original here – see what you think. I’m not sure this is written for the pews, but it has interesting accidentals, triplets and 2/4 bars thrown in. I love the horn that comes in towards the end of the second verse, but stick with it after the second chorus. He throws in a round with the second element in harmony. It then fades out at the beginning of what my music says is a 34 bar waltz time coda. …wow.
The text is a whole other matter and is so good that perhaps picking the bones out the flourishes and doing it as simply as possible is worth a go. I’m still trying to figure out if the songwriter is alternating male and female attributions for God or is slipping in some Marian references.
Verse 1
I will not die before I’ve lived to see that land;
Firm as the earth, God’s own promise.
I’ll not let go until I’ve held it in my hand;
That word of hope, and gentle laughter.
Verse 2
I will not rest until his dawn is in my eyes;
That fragile light, new like morning.
I will not sleep before I’ve wakened to that sunrise;
And all the world knows his glory.
Refrain
For his right hand has delivered us from death;
He has regarded our tears,
She who is goodness and grace.
Verse 3
And I will breathe in that mighty wind of justice;
I’ll know my name and rise up singing.
And I will call until my words bring on the thunder;
Washed in that rain, then I’ll know him.
Verse 4
He will stand up for the poor and the needy;
He’ll break the chains that bind God’s people.
For she is home for the lost and the desperate;
Her strong right hand goes before us.
Refrain
Verse 1 + harmony round (if you are game)
© TEAM Publications 1984.