Day 341 | Tuesday, 23 February 2021

Day 341 - Audio Version

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Day 341 | Tuesday, 23 February 2021

This past Sunday, our Director of Music at Christ First UMC sang “Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley” as an anthem.  After listening to this appropriate anthem for the first Sunday in Lent, I thought I would share it with all of you.  I invite you to concentrate on the words and use them as part of your Lenten journey of meditation and reflection.

Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley

Verse 1:
Jesus walked this lonesome valley;
He had to walk it by himself.
Oh, nobody else could walk it for him;
He had to walk it by himself.

Verse 2:
We must walk this lonesome valley;
We have to walk it by ourselves.
Oh, nobody else can walk it for us;
We have to walk it by ourselves.

Verse 3:
You must go and stand your trial;
You have to stand it by yourself.
Oh, nobody else can stand it for you;
You have to stand it by yourself.

“The origins of this folk hymn, appropriate for Holy Week, are shrouded in obscurity. It first appeared in U.S.A. hymnals during the second half of the twentieth century. Its frequency of inclusion increased by the end of the last century and continues into the current one. Although listed as an American folk hymn in most hymnals, it appears that its origins may be found in a conflation of the Appalachian folk song tradition and the African American spiritual. The song, known as part of a group under the theme of “journey songs,” appears in The Faith We Sing as one of many variants, much simplified and adapted both in text and melody.”  By C. Michael Hawn

 “An extra three verses by Jack Schrader were included in Worship and Rejoice (2001, Hope Publishing Company), which focus the song on Jesus resurrections:”

Verse 2:
“Jesus prayed for His disciples;
He prayed alone for you and me.
Oh, nobody else could bear such sorrow;
He prayed alone for you and me.”

Verse 3:
“Jesus died on Calvary’s mountain;
He died alone for you and me.
Oh, nobody else could die for sinners;
He had to die for you and me.”.

Verse 4:
“Jesus rose from death’s dark prison;
He lives again for you and me.
Oh, nobody else could could bring us victory;
He is alive to set us free.”
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Lord, Our God, as we journey through these days of Lent in 2021, there have been some lonesome valleys this past year.  We know that we have not walked these valleys by ourselves.  We thank you for walking with us and helping us walk through the valleys.  Lord, hear our prayers.  Amen
 
Today pray for those who are walking in lonesome valleys and who feel like they are alone.