Thursday, September 11, 2014

9/11 In Memoriam: Sky of Blackness and Sorrow, Sky of Fullness and Blessed Life

Can't see nothin' in front of me 
Can't see nothin' coming up behind 
I make my way through this darkness 
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me 

Lost track of how far I've gone 
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed 
On my back's a sixty pound stone 
On my shoulder a half mile line 

Come on up for the rising 
Come on up, lay your hands in mine 
Come on up for the rising 
Come on up for the rising tonight 

Left the house this morning 
Bells ringing filled the air 
I was wearin' the cross of my calling 
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here 

Come on up for the rising 
Come on up, lay your hands in mine 
Come on up for the rising 
Come on up for the rising tonight

Spirits above and behind me 
Faces gone, black eyes burnin' bright 
May their precious blood forever bind me 
Lord as I stand before your fiery light

I see you Mary in the garden 
In the garden of a thousand sighs 
There's holy pictures of our children 
Dancin' in a sky filled with light 

May I feel your arms around me 
May I feel your blood mix with mine 
A dream of life comes to me 
Like a catfish dancin' on the end of the line 

Sky of blackness and sorrow (a dream of life) 
Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life) 
Sky of glory and sadness (a dream of life) 
Sky of mercy, sky of fear (a dream of life) 
Sky of memory and shadow (a dream of life) 
Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonight 
Sky of longing and emptiness (a dream of life) 
Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life (a dream of life) 

Come on up for the rising 
Come on up, lay your hands in mine 
Come on up for the rising 
Come on up for the rising tonight

-Bruce Springsteen, "The Rising," July 16, 2002


In memory of the 2,977 souls whose lives were taken by terrorism on September 11, 2001, and in profound gratitude to the first responders, medical personnel, and Good Samaritans who saved the lives of many more that day.

Yours in Christ,
Eric

(photo credit: greatbuildings.com)

The Grammy Awards performance of The Rising, introduced by the late, missed Robin Williams:


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