Beatitudes (Balhoff/Ducote)

The Beatitudes we do most in our parish is the one by Mike Balhoff and Darryl Ducote from a band called The Dameans way back in the 60s & 70s. Way before my time in the Catholic Church but it appears they were very big.  It is a great song and builds up to a rousing chorus, which is a neat trick when you think of the gentle nature of the Beatitudes. You can hear their version and see them dressed like every respectable American folk group of the era here.  They were very Mitchell Trio, Kingston Trio sounding, which is great. You could also watch a clip of the everglades (what!) and listen to a light funk version here.

Now when I first played this song I had never heard anybody play it outside our church so my MIDI version was little strange.  This is a render of the original MIDI done on Band in a Box version 1.

Since you can hear the melody line so well in that version, here is a proper backing track from BIAB today with no melody line cluttering things up, so you can hear the Mark Knopfler soloist having fun.

Verse 1

Blest are you, the poor who trust the Father with your lives.

For within your heart is born, the kingdom of the Lord.

Blest are you the sorrowing, who know your Father wise.

For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Verse 2

Blest are you, the lowly ones, who know your need to share.

For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Blest are you whose searching souls will draw you to God’s care.

For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Refrain

Let your light shine for all the world to see

The brightness of your life within, the peace that sets you free.

Let your light shine to fill your nights and days;

All will see the deeds you do and give your father praise.

Verse 3

Blest are you whose mercy shows the Father’s love to all.

For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Blest are you the pure in heart, who live the Father’s call.

For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Verse 4

Blest are you who work for peace among the Father’s own,

For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Blest are you who suffer hate to prepare the day to come,

For within your heart is born the kingdom of the Lord.

Refrain

© Damean Music 1978.