On Eagle’s Wings (AOV 1/153)

A wildly popular song by Michael Joncas based on Ps 91.  Sometimes called the “Yoohoo” song because of its startling and inventive opening two notes it is rightly lauded as a beautiful and subtle tune but also the cause of a few disasters if you don’t pitch the first note correctly. Each verse has minor variations in the tune to watch out for.

You can hear the original here. I’ve noted that a lot of the versions on Youtube start with the refrain, which robs the song of a lot of its interest.

Verse 1

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in His shadow for life,
say to the Lord: “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”

Refrain:  And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.

Verse 2

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear:
under His wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield.

Refrain

Verse 3

You need not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day;
though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come.

Refrain

Verse 4

For to His angels He’s given a command
to guard you in all of your ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Refrain

And hold you, hold you in the palm…

of his hand.

© New Dawn Music 1979.

PS This is a render of a very old MIDI file from a long time ago: