XXXI: If I could sing

If I could sing just like the birds
Without the need for foolish words,
Well then, O then, Lord, can’t You see,
How pure would my praises be.

But since that I am given this voice,
And given this pen, I haven’t a choice,
But to my smile must add a frown,
And with my praise my sins write down.

XXX: Obstacles

Who put these obstacles in my way?
What are they doing here?
Move aside please!
Let me past!
I haven’t got all day!

My life was going smoothly.
My hair was neatly arranged.
I was getting to heaven one step at a time –
Before things started to change.

I didn’t ask for problems.
I didn’t ask for cares.
I had everything under control,
As You are well aware.

Then someone put obstacles in my way.
Why did they put them here?
Move aside please!
Let me past!
I haven’t got all day!

On Monday I was going to love.
On Tuesday I wanted to give.
On Wednesday I planned to help someone.
On Thursday just to live.

I’m a very busy man you see, dear Lord,
Doing good week-in, week-out.
I haven’t got time for these difficulties
In the work that I’m about.

So why put these obstacles in my way?
What are they doing here?
Move aside please!
Let me past!
I haven’t got all day!

XXIX: What can you hear?

Listen.
What can you hear?
This is the sound of angels.

Listen –
This is the sound of angels.

XXVIII: Glance

Glance out at the splendour of the Earth,
And then sing, sing,
Sing!
For the fresh winds, and the smell of pine,
Sing!

Glance in at the warmth of your fireside,
And then sing, sing,
Sing!
For your soft rugs and the taste of wine,
Sing!

Glance across at the beauty of your wife,
And then sing, sing,
Sing!
For her gentle eyes and hair so fine,
Sing!

XXVII: There's a hole

There’s a hole in my heart –
It helps my life-blood flow.

There’s a hole in my head –
It lets in fresh air.

There’s a hole in my soul –
It’s open and waiting for You.

XXVI: If someone asks you to explain the Trinity

If John wore a garment of camel’s hair
Wouldn’t it have given him itchy skin?
– well, this is known as a mystery.

If the sheep are divided from the goats
Won’t the farmers be quite upset?
– well, this is known as a mystery.

If every hair on my head is numbered
Some of the numbers must be quite big.
– well, this is known as a mystery.

If God is One how can He be Three?
And if He’s Three where’s the Unity?
- well, this is known as a mystery.

XXV: Pride comes before a fall

Pride come before a fall.
Or so they say.
But I fell down in a humble mood –
The other day.

I won’t say that I’m modest,
But I wouldn’t say I’m proud.
So how did I fall the other day,
While walking in the crowd?

I didn’t have my head up high.
I didn’t push or shove.
I had my eyes down on my feet,
And my thoughts on the above.

I didn’t meet a stranger’s eye,
Or get in their way.
Yes, I was in a humble mood –
The other day.

I can’t see that I did anything wrong,
And yet I fell.
Perhaps somebody tripped me up.
I couldn’t tell.

I’m not a proud kind of person.
It’s not my vice.
I’m patient, and pleasant, and – well,
I hope quite nice.

Pride comes before a fall.
Or so they say.
But I fell down in a humble mood –
The other day.