Rhythms to Remember (Part two)

Part one continued...

As we sat and talked the older gentlemen reached for his 1958 (personally-made handcrafted) acoustic guitar that had finger imprints - experience showing - embedded in its fretted neck. The old rustic classic came alive in his hands as he played to a tuning that was charming but unfamiliar to me, I just sat there joy-filled at this visit (yes, I fully realize that the acoustic guitar is a western influence – globalization isn’t all bad). He played songs softly and it sounded great as he sang tunes in his native language. He then looked up to me and asked if I would play?  I humbly took this gem of an instrument and tried to find a tuning that could match a song I have written and this tune surfaced… an untitled song (I wrote it just before leaving SSU in April).

(Verse one)

Rendezvous at the meeting place on Main Street,

Just above that pioneering river,

Right besides Professor Fitch's house,

You know the place I’m talking about.

(Chorus)

Where crosses and culture’s collide x2

And as we fumble our way through,

May we be the fragrance of You.

(Verse two)

We go to this university,

In an old and worn out town.

But both have resurrection in their bones,

Lord, please keep breathing on these bones.

(Chorus)

(Verse three)

There was a vision of a mountaintop,

And everyone trying to get there their own good way,

But may we always remember

The King laid a narrow passageway.

(Chorus)

(Bridge)

I know that we

may not always see,

him the same,

but may we, always try

and honor Him.

I thank God for this visit, for music, and for the opportunity to have been there to hear this man play. But also for Him giving me the strength and willingness to play for this older gentleman as well -- I could not do this without Him and without the strengthening love He has shown me. I also thank Him for life lessons such as this one regarding hospitality.