Time to share a new worship song … and a bit of the journey behind it.
Who is my neighbour? I’m sure unsurprisingly is inspired by the almost-iconic Parable of the Good Samaritan (as it’s known) of Jesus found in Luke 10:25-37 of the Bible.
Plenty of songs of all shapes and sizes and genres out there about sharing compassion, making sacrifices, following Christ’s call to love and so on. Not so many which weave in multiple themes of that parable together. In Who is my neighbour? I’ve sought to blend in:
- Jesus’ Go and do likewise command at the end of the native – the punchline in so many ways
- The question to Jesus from the “expert in the law” – “Who are (emphasis mine) my neighbours” v. 29
- the connections with the two great commandments uttered in verse 27 – Love the Lord your God with … and love your neighbour as you love yourself
- the real, practicable imperatives bound up in being “good samaritans”; hence the lyric in the song’s 2nd verse: Wherever, however, Whoever, whenever
- Wrapping the whole song together with Christ’s call to love.
Most songs, to be frank “come together” very quickly. It’s long been like that. If I have to struggle to put a song together, it usually means the song lacks spontaneity, “hook” etc. This one has been different somehow. It’s moved from being in E minor to the current A minor; 3/4 to 4/4 time. Folk-country to the current light-rock feel.
I also found myself stretched as I crafted the lyric backing video below. I realised that “good samaritanship” meant including (in the video) those suffering from the likes of family violence, war or being refugees or asylum seekers. The video underwent a few iterations.
Anyhow, it’s inspired me – this parable I’ve know since childhood – to not only reflect long on its many messages, but I pray to act. As the 2nd verse concludes: Will I cross to the other side?
Blessings,
David
leadsheet mp3 backing w. melody
Who is my neighbour?
Who is my neighbour?
My sister, my brother?
Who am I called to love?
Is it friend
Is it stranger
The one deep in danger
Who am I called to love?
Called by the Holy One
Loving with all I am
All of my soul, and mind and strength
Loving my neighbour whole
With all my heart, mysoul
Loving as I will love myself
Who is my neighbour?
Will I break down the barriers
Know Christ in my neighbour’s cry?
Wherever, however
Whoever, whenever
Will I cross to the other side?
Called by the Holy One …
Bridge
Called to love (x4)
Called by the Holy One … as I will love myself
David MacGregor
© 2022 Willow Publishing
inspired by Luke 10:25-37