Notes on the Notes – August 8, 2021

Friday, August 6, 2021 Laura

This week’s music:

“Be a Light”

“In a time full of war, be peace.
In a time full of doubt, just believe.
Yeah, there ain’t that much difference between you and me.
In a time full of war, be peace.

In a world full of hate, be a light.
When you do somebody wrong, make it right.
Don’t hide in the dark; you were born to shine.
In a world full of hate, be a light.”

Our candle-lighting response for the summer is the opening of the song “Be a Light,” recorded by American country music singer Thomas Rhett and featuring guest vocals from Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, and Keith Urban. It was released on March 30, 2020.

Rhett said that he wrote the song in 2019, but chose to release it because he thought its message would be well received in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He told Billboard that the song “was really just about being a light in a dark place; being an encouragement to people.” He co-wrote the song with Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson, and Josh Miller.

Hear the full song at: https://youtu.be/8YuWAZmD0aU

“A Voice is Heard”

“Come, let us praise our God, come let us sing for joy,
With a heart of thanks we give honour.
You are a mighty God, you are the source of life.
Creator God, we give praise.From the deepest seas – a voice is heard.
From the highest hills – a voice is heard.
From the rich dark earth – a voice is heard.
All creation sings! God is heard!

By Denis Avdic　Bosnia and Herzegovina, Age 14

Come, let us praise our God, come let us sing for joy,
With a heart of thanks we give honour.
You are a mighty God, you are the source of life.
Creator God, we give praise.

Through the darkest night – a voice is heard.
Through the breaking dawn – a voice is heard.
Through the heart of life – a voice is heard.
All creation sings! God is heard!

Come, let us praise our God, come let us sing for joy,
With a heart of thanks we give honour.
You are a mighty God, you are the source of life.
Creator God, we give praise.”

This joyful songs expresses our belief that God’s voice is everywhere and, as a part of Creation, we too, can hear God’s voice. Whether or not we can hear it depends on if we are listening for it. This song by Australian Catholic composers Trisha Watts and Monica O’Brien, was written in 1998.

“My Love Colours Outside the Lines” (MV #138)

“My love colours outside the lines,
Exploring paths that few could ever find;
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before,
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines.

My Lord colours outside the lines,
Turns wounds to blessings, water into wine;
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines.

We’ll never walk on water if we’re not prepared to drown,
Body and soul need a soaking from time to time.
And we’ll never move the gravestones if we’re not prepared to die,
And realize there are worlds outside the lines.

My soul longs to colour outside the lines,
Tear back the curtains, sun, come in and shine;
I want to walk beyond the boundaries where I’ve never been before,
Throw open doors to worlds outside the lines.”

This song is by Gordon Light (1995) of the Common Cup Company, arranged for More Voices by Andrew Donaldson. It speaks to our longing to follow God’s call, and gently encourages us to overcome our fear of stepping out of our comfort zone in order to do so. Read a blog post on the subject of colouring outside the lines at: https://indianapolisfaith.org/2019/05/05/coloring-outside-the-lines/

See the song sung in worship at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbrXdLCRays

“Hallelujah”

“Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor falls, the major lifts
The baffled king composing Hallelujah