This was originally a poem that was written by my cousin Jacqueline Porter. It is dedicated to her father - my uncle Robert Eugene (Gene) Rector, who spent the last twenty years of his life as a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, as a result of an accident with a drunk driver. She asked me to put it to music, and to do whatever the Lord led me to do with it - which I did. I altered the words slightly, added a bridge and a fourth verse. Then my good friend, in Vancouver, WA - Paul Ellis, who is an established Ambient/Electronic musician, offered to assist with the track. So I sent him the piano & vocal, and he added percussion, acoustic guitar, bass & synthesizer.
lyrics
I wonder what the blind man will say about the day –
The war he’s fought for so long, has up and gone away.
At last he’ll see the city, and his darkness will be light –
And he’ll find the road he walked is solid gold tonight!
Will he say – “Thank You, Jesus, for allowing me –
To see my first light, as Your Glory shines on me –
For streets like gold, the crystal sea, and angels all surrounding me!
Thank You, Lord – thank You, Lord! I can finally see – I can finally see!”
And what about the deaf man, who’s ears have never heard –
Laughter, or the raging sea, or the singing of a bird?
He’s never heard a baby cry, or sounds of harmony –
But when he gets to heaven, he’ll hear songs of victory!
Will he say, “Thank You, Jesus, for allowing me –
To hear my first angel-band, in the home prepared for me –
To hear Your Voice like a symphony, and choirs singing, ‘Holy is He’!
Thank You, Lord – thank You, Lord! I hear You welcome me – I hear You welcome me!”
Then I think about the lame man, and how he never knew –
How it felt to walk the seashore, or wear out a pair of shoes.
He never, ever rode a bike, or to the music danced –
But he’ll leap for joy when he receives his great inheritance!
Will he say, “Thank You, Jesus, for allowing me –
To take my first steps, in this place made just for me!
You’ve given me mobility to dance before You endlessly!
Thank You, Lord – thank You, Lord!
I am finally free! I am finally free!”
But I don’t need to wonder, ‘cause I have been all three –
Blind, and deaf, and lame – so I know just what I’ll say –
I’ll say, thank You Jesus, for always loving me!
To the truth I once was blind, but now I can see –
‘Cause I can hear You easily, to walk with You eternally!
Thank You, Lord – thank You, Lord!
You’re everything to me! You’re everything to me!
credits
from Songs From 7th Street,
released November 10, 2010
words by Jacqueline Porter & David Krienke
music by David Krienke
piano & vocal by David Krienke
synthesizer, acoustic guitar, bass & percussion by Paul Ellis
Born into a family of Gospel singers & musicians in South Bend, Indiana, David began singing & playing the piano as a small
child.
In the 1970's, his musical style was shaped by the acoustic rock artists of the time - and in the 1980's David played the local nightclub circuit as keyboardist/singer with the band Justus.
But God comes in places unlooked for - unexpectedly....more