Can anything good?

Hi

On a bit of a roll with this songwriting.  This Sunday’s gospel passage, in which Jesus calls Philip, and then Philip invites Nathanael to “Come and see” includes Nathanael’s memorable and cynical question: Can anything good come out of Nazareth?   It’s one of the Bible’s most amazing pieces of irony (or is it paradox).  Doesn’t matter.

That obviously got me thinking.  I was somewhat stimulated by a helpful piece of reflection by UCA minister Jeff Shrowder:

“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
How often we scorn or deprecate ‘the other’:
someone from the other side of town,
from over the river,
from the across the rail line,
from the community whose football team
is our archrival,
or from a country and culture
that is not ‘ours’.
And yet
if we dare investigate more closely
we may find in ‘the other’
not just ourselves
but also the glory of God.
“Come and see.”
              Jeff Shrowder, © 2012

Anyhow … at 3 am a few early mornings ago I find myself wide awake with a good chunk of the song I’ve subsequently written: Can anything good?  I’m really happy with it.  Fairly boppy, with it  pulled back somewhat in the the bridge sections.  Full piano score and chords here.  Lyrics below.  Some sort of backing track (maybe even full vocals by the end of this week).

Blessings – David

CAN ANYTHING GOOD ?

Can anything good come out of Naz’reth
To make a difference, change it all
Come from such low repute
Despite such scorn, dispute
To make a difference for us all?

Can anything good come out of Naz’reth?
You brought the best from those you called
Jesus, you gave them hope
Jesus, you gave your life
to make a difference for us all.

Blind will see
Captives free
Poor find news so good
Those oppressed
Will be free
You are love, God, good

Can anything good come out of Naz’reth?
You’re found Lord too
In those so not like us
whose ways are not our own
There too your face is shown
to makes a difference to us all

Can anything good come out of Naz’reth?
Christ sees the good in who we are
The promise gifted there to
brighten the world somewhere
and make a difference to us all

Blind will see , captives free …

Can anything good come out of Naz’reth?
You call us now God. “Come and see.”
O may we hear your call
O may we heed your call
Come make a difference to us
Come make a difference to us
Come make a difference to us all.

David MacGregor  © 2012 Willow publishing

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