Rock of Ages Cleft for me
Let me hide Myself in thee
It was a stylish congregation.
You could see they'd been around.
and they had the biggest pipe organ
but over in the Amen corner of that church sat
Brother I and he insisted every Sunday
His voice was cracked and broken,
age had touched his vocal chords
he'd get behind and miss the words.
Well the choir got so flustered
the church was told and found that Brother
for the choir was going to resign.
So the pastor appointed a committee,
I think it was three or four,
and they got in their big fine car
and drove up to our store.
They found the choir's great trouble
sitting there in an old armchair,
and the summer's golden sunbeams
lay upon his snow -white hair.
Said York, uh, we're here,
with the vestry's approbation
to discuss a little matter
that affects the congregation.
Now, we don't want no singing
except what we've bought.
The newest tunes are all the rake,
the old ones stand for naught.
are you listening, brother Ire?
You'll have to stop your singing,
it's messing up our choir.
The old man raised his head,
and on his cheek the three men
caught the glitter of a tear.
His feeble hands pushed back
the locks as white as silky snow,
and he answered the committee
in a voice both soft and low.
I've sung the psalms of David
nearly 80 years, said he.
They've been my staff and comfort
all along life's ridden way.
Sorry I disturbed the choir,
But when my heart is filled with praise,
I can't keep back a song.
I wonder if beyond the tide
that's breaking at my feet,
In that far off heavenly temple
where my master I shall meet
Yes, I wonder if when I try to sing
the songs of God up higher
I wonder if they'll kick me out up there
for singing in heaven's choir
A silence filled the little room,
the old man bowed his head
The committee went on back to town,
but Brother Eyre was dead.
The choir missed him for a while,
A few churchgoers watched the door,
but the old man entered not.
Far away his voice is sweet,
and he sings his heart's desires,
where there are no church committees
and no fashionable choirs.
Let me hide myself in Thee.
