It looks like a disconnect here, when you look at the starting words and then sing them to the tune I have chosen. The tune is upbeat and lively, and the words lament the Web of Life that is slipping away.
Huh?
But let’s embody the hope and promise of the song and of our resurrection faith. The lively tune and tempo proclaim that despair and lament are not the final promises here. We need to enter into Creation’s pain – too much have we denied it, or we’ve felt overwhelmed by it, so we try not to experience it. But when we do allow ourselves to enter into Creation’s pain (which is also ours), and grieve the devastation, and face the overwhelming problems and issues, we are engaging in the prophetic witness of lament. Only then we can move on to envision a “new heaven, new earth” of justice and integrity of Creation. If we stay in denial, we lose that vision.
So, dance and sing! Even if you’re afraid. Even if you’re crying. Dance and sing.
A copy of the song with better formatting is posted as a PDF document.
Hope and Promise
Allyson Sawtell
Tune: Beach Spring (public domain)
1. Where is hope and where is promise, in a world that's gone astray?
Fear and apathy wreak havoc; web of life just slips away.
Refrain:
When Creation’s pain is ours, too, when hard truths we dare to hear,
We will live with power and justice. Hope will triumph over fear!
2. Let’s not live in deep denial of Earth’s woes, the power of greed.
As we try to build a new world, courage is our deepest need.
Refrain:
3. Be the hope and be the promise, be the peace the world must know.
This is good work that is hard, too, and frustratingly so slow.
Refrain:
4. This is hope and this is promise: laugh and love in spite of fear!
Dare to know you make a difference! Change the world and dry a tear.
Final Refrain:
Then Creation’s joy is ours, too, dance with all we hold so dear.
We have lived with power and justice. Hope has triumphed over fear!