Deep water (Collab project)

I’m still trying to use the readings from the missal to inspire song writing. This is (loosely) based on the readings from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, where Jesus tells the disciples to “put out into deep water.” I have incorporated something from all the readings. I’ve tried to make it singable. It is a fairly rapid attempt so may need a lot of refining.

There are two classic Australian songs on this topic, Paul Kelly’s “Deeper Water” and Richard Clapton’s “Deep Water.” My song is nothing like theirs – mores the pity. It is though, unmistakeably related to the Australian beach experience.

1 Wretched and lost and out of our depth,
With unclean lips, a mouth full of sand.
Swallowing sea water, blind from the spray,
Still looking for strength for our soul on the land.

Refrain
Don’t fear to go past the shoreline,
Through surf to calm waters with God.
Purged by the breakers, ready to be sent…
Into deep water.

2 Tossed in the torrent and fighting the rips,
Watching our castles collapse on the beach.
Waiting for God to stretch out a hand,
Yet feeling God’s grace just out of reach.

3 Thanks for the feel of God’s sun and God’s wind.
Thanks as we float with the pull of the tide.
Receiving the Gospel of senses that saves,
Faith in the waves and the deep ocean wide.

© 2024 Geoffrey Madden

I can’t resist posting these great Australian classics: