And given that this was a Church of Christ gathering there was a lot of a cappella singing. There is nothing quite like singing hymns with people raised in the Churches of Christ. Song after song the four-part harmony was beautiful.
Anyway, during the singing there was one hymn that I had never heard before. And I was immediately smitten with it.
Yes, I get smitten by gospel hymns.
The song was "Where No One Stands Alone" written by Mosie Lister in 1955.
The lyrics (which vary a bit from version to version):
Once I stood in the night with my head bowed lowI just love the tune and especially the lyrics. I love the vision of a place where no one stands alone.
In darkness as black as the sea.
And my heart was afraid and I cried, "Oh Lord,
Don't hide your face from me."
Hold my hand all the way, every hour every day
From here to the great unknown.
Take my hand, let me stand
Where no one stands alone.
Like a king I may live in a palace so tall
With great riches to call my own.
But I don't know a thing in this whole wide world
That's worse than being alone.
Hold my hand all the way, every hour every day
From here to the great unknown.
Take my hand, let me stand
Where no one stands alone.
You can hear versions of the song on YouTube from Alison Krauss and The Cox Family and the Peasall Sisters.
I've been singing and practicing this song so that I can introduce it to the guys out at prison on Monday nights.
All around the house and at work you can hear me singing to myself...
Take my hand, let me stand
Where no one stands alone...
