Back to the cross with meaning to me

[]

Back to the place I know

In many ways, I am a creature of habit, many of the things I find a sense of comfort in I have written about especially when it comes to food and travel. However, one aspect that appears in my writings much as I would rather it reflected in expression than wear it on my sleeve is my spirituality.

It has a very Christian underpinning influenced by many denominations from which I have drawn strength and support through the good and the bad times where I find endurance, resilience, hope and expectation, knowing that things shall pass, and other things shall come to pass.

In that wealth of experience, I find unusually safe refuge from the turmoil around me, that I can return to my spiritual shelter like a treehouse in the garden away in silence to calm my soul is amazing.

Calm in the memory

Whilst I was chatting to my best friend, I cannot remember what made me search for Danniebelle Hall, a gospel singer and songwriter who passed on in 2000. In my personal prayer time back in 1988, I had a cassette tape of her songs, certain lyrics in her songs ministered life to my fragile soul. When she died, there was a particular song I could not get hold of, I probably last heard it in 1988.

At least, that is what I thought when my search showed up the song on YouTube. After my phone conversation, I played back the music repeatedly amazed I could remember most of the words whilst sorting out the mondegreens. There are periods of spiritual awakening that are recreated in returning to what I know and understand, like the tried and tested that gives me some renewal.

Recalling the times

It reminds me of one night Brian and I were at the Nobel Square in Cape Town, and this young man brought out his guitar and started playing gospel music, the songs of about 20 years ago, many from the Hillsong Music and Michael W. Smith catalogue, literally, all but two I remembered and sang along to.

In my times of meditation and seeking succour, there is a place for music from a certain place, like the minstrel strumming on a harp heralding a peaceful sense of being upon my thoughts, my mind, my soul, chasing worries and anxieties to forgotten places and reaffirming faith that makes miracles of the incomprehensible.

Waxing lyrically with effort

Whilst, I was at it, I decided to get the lyrics to What Can I Do from my hearing of the song, as I could not find any record online. Here goes and if you hear differently, help me with a comment. I always thought there was a refrain, but from the lyrical genius of this lady, nothing is really the same, then add the flourish of her vocal ability, I believe this song should be heard in choirs again.

Lyrics: What can I do?

What can I do?
To be of service Lord, to you,
How can I be pleasing in your sight?
I will give all that I am,
I’ll, I’ll do everything I can,
To show the world I love you,
With all my heart and mind.

Hmm, What can I do?
I just wanna be of service Lord, to you,
How can I be pleasing in your sight?
Here’s what I’m gonna do,
I’ll give you every, everything I am,
I’ll do everything I can,
To show the world I love you,
With all my heart and mind.

Whoa, What I am to some,
May not seem like much,
Oh, but what I am sure becomes,
Something great with just one touch of your hand,
So here, Lord, here I am,
Asking you.

What can I do?
What can I do?
I just wanna be of service Lord, to you,
How can I be pleasing in your sight?
I know what I’ll do,
I’ll give you everything I am,
And I’ll do everything I can,
I’ve gotta show the world I love you,
With all my heart and mind.

Whoa, What I am to some,
May not seem like much, Hey yeah!
But what I am sure becomes,
Something great with, all I need is,
One, one touch of the Master’s hand,
Hey, hey,
So here I am Lord,
I’m asking you.

What can I do?
Tell me what can I do?
Lord, to be of service to you,
How can I be pleasing in your sight?
I made up my mind,
I’m gonna give you every, every, everything I am,
I’ll do everything I can,
I wanna show the world I love ya,
You already know it,
But I gotta let the world, know I love you,
I sure do love you,
With all my heart and mind, I love you,
You saved my soul,
That’s why I love you,
You set me free,
(Lord, I love you)
I sure do love you,
You set me free,
I love you, Jeez,
I love you, I love you,
(Sure do love you)
You’ve been so good to me,
I love you, I love you,
With all of my heart, I sure do love you Jesus,
Yes I do,
(Lord I love you)
Sure do,
Lord you know I love you,
But I’ve gotta let the world know that I love you,
I love you, I love you, Jesus,
(Sure do love you)
(Love you Lord)
Oh! Because you’ve been so good to me,
You set me free,
(Sure do love you)
You open doors that I couldn’t see my way,
(Love you Lord)
And I love Jesus,
Somehow, I gotta tell the world,
That I love you, I love you,
(Lord, I love you)
O yes, I do,
How can I say it?
How can I say it?
I love you,
Oh, I love you Jesus,
(Sure do love you, love you Lord)

[To fade …]

What Can I Do? Written by Danniebelle Hall from the album Unmistakably Danniebelle.