When Our Lives Know Sudden Shadow

originally written for AIDS services, workshops, or consultations

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Shirley Erena Murray
Tune Name: MILL BAY

Lyrics as Poetry

When our lives know sudden shadow,
new awareness, shot with pain,
when the body’s ills defeat us,
anger beats in hard refrain,God, our God, we cry for meaning,
cry for all we would regain.Patch by patch, the quilt is fashioned,
thread by thread, the colors sewn,
stitched in tears, and richly patterned,
loves our lives have touched and known,families of hapless sorrow,
drawn together, yet alone.Friend, befriending the afflicted,
wake us to the world we share,
shine through us, divine compassion,
hope within our heart’s despair,building from the stones rejected
new communities of care.Only you, most holy Lover,
hold us with insistent claim,
from our living to our dying
give a purpose to our frame,welcome us, however broken,
wait for us, and call our name.

Words by
Shirley Erena MurrayCopyright © 1996 by Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, Illinois • USA


Audio Sample for
”When Our Lives
Know Sudden Shadow”

One verse played on piano

Scripture References

  • Psalm 63:1
  • Psalm 118:22
  • Isaiah 30:18
  • Isaiah 43:1
  • Luke 15:11-32
  • John 10:3
  • Acts 4:11

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • 'AIDS'
  • Care, Caring
  • Community
  • Companion
  • Compassion
  • Friend, Friendship
  • Hope

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