Stranger, Standing at My Door

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Shirley Erena Murray
Tune Name: MAPLE RIDGE

Lyrics as Poetry

Stranger, standing at my door,
you disturb me in the night:
you have needs I can’t ignore,
you have eyes that speak your plight.Do I know you, nameless face,
battered woman, detainee,
hungry youth or sickness case,
jobless parent, refugee—Do I know you, nameless face?You are strange in speech and dress,
you have children at your side,
you are not like one of us—
you have begged away your pride.If you passed across my screen
I might switch you out of sight,
worlds away you might have been,
yet you stand here in the night.Do I know you, nameless face?I am fearful of your claim,
yet I cannot turn away.
Stranger with the foreign name,
are you angel come to stay?You are messenger and guest,
you the Christ I can’t ignore,
you my own compassion’s test,
stranger, standing at my door.You, the Christ I can’t ignore.

Words by
Shirley Erena MurrayCopyright © 1997 by Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, Illinois • USA

Scripture References

  • Matthew 25:31-45
  • Luke 10:25-37

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • Children∶ music for
  • Compassion
  • Conflict
  • Culture
  • Door, Doors
  • Free, Freedom
  • Heal, Healing
  • Intergenerational
  • Justice, Human Rights
  • Lent
  • Neighbour
  • Race, Racism
  • Violence
  • War

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