Call for Mercy

I’m a few songs ahead making backings for this collection “As One Voice: The Next Generation” than I have blogged yet and I’m very impressed indeed with the standard.  I even like the songs that I don’t think are suitable for assembly use far more than I expected.

One of those is No. 16, “Call for Mercy” by Judy Bailey.  She is from Barbados originally and now based in Germany and seems to have a broad following outside the Christian community as well.  I don’t think there is a hope that this could turn up in a mass, but it’s a great song nonetheless.  The lyrics are a world away from safe communities singing love songs to Jesus.  The last two lines of the bridge are special and have stuck in my mind to her tune.  My backing is not subtle enough as usual but I wanted the melody line very pronounced to help me learn it.

God Almighty we look to Thee
Our hearts are heavy so Yours must bleed
We pray for the victims of tragedy
That by Your grace O Lord somehow they’ll find relief

Chorus

For all who suffer we are calling on You Lord
O Lord Lord hear our call for mercy
For all who’re dying and need to know Your love
O Lord Lord hear our call for mercy

For those who are missing for those who wait
For anger that threatens to turn into hate
We pray for Your presence in their pain
And ask that You reveal Yourself in Jesus name

Chorus

Hear our prayer
Hear our cry O Lord Lord
Hear our prayer
Hear our cry O Lord Lord

Bridge
Lord bless all the innocent, the families torn apart
Help those who care for them, Your rays of hope inside the darkness
Soften our hearts, don’t let us be deaf just because we’ve strayed from You
To the least of them whatever we do we’re doing it to You
To the least of them whatever we do we’re doing it to You

Chorus

Hear our prayer
Hear our cry O Lord Lord
Hear our prayer
Hear our cry O Lord Lord

Additional verse:
For nations evading the reality still
For those steeped in denial for the silence that kills
We pray for the governments that are overwhelmed
Secure their people’s future, shine Your light on them

©  Dyba Music/Judy Bailey 2008

There is an arrangement in a lower key available at garagehymnal.