The next song would be “A Blessing Hymn for Australia”, but I have already blogged that in CWBII.
On the other hand, if you were looking for a country song about the feeding of the five thousand, look no further. Michael Herry has written one and it is in his collection, “God of Surprises”. To be fair this is more in keeping with a folk yarn than country music.
The sheet music is free at Marist Music. You can also hear his version there.
This is my backing.
1 When Jesus came to town, people talked for miles around.
They hadn’t seen the like of him for ages.
Then Mum packed a luncheon bag, so behind him I could tag,
And maybe get a job with fancy wages.
But I wasn’t with him long, when I heard another song:
His call to use my gifts in serving others,
So I decided then and there to follow him to God knows where,
And maybe light a candle in the darkness.Chorus
This table of life all gather round
Our simple gifts can change to things profound.
Though there’s not much in my bag,
What I’ve got, Lord, you can have,
For you to multiply to go around.
2 So I joined his rag-tag band and we sang throughout the land
a song about God’s love for all and sundry.
But life’s not just sing-a-long; there was hard work to be done;
to clothe and heal the sick and feed the hungry.
Then one day as things turned out, when the crowds were round about,
I offered him my barley loaves and fishes.
And after giving out the lunch, Oh we were a happy bunch,
‘Cause at picnics no one has to do the dishes.
3 So may we a blessing be that all one day be free,
ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry
by sharing all we have and serving others.
Here’s the master’s wise advice, if you’re after paradise,
Think of others first, your sisters and your brothers.
This sign that Jesus gave left the people all dismayed.
They wanted him their king and that’s no wonder!
But he left them high and dry; he had other fish to fry,
To have us set our hearts on life beyonder!