When I leave behind the happiness I know,
called to travel tracks to only God knows where,
I feel the pain of friends and passions left behind,
and the tug of nostalgia is an ache and a snare.
Then he strikes the rock and the waters are flowing
from me, from me,
Then he strikes the rock and the waters are flowing
through me, through me.
When I walk along the desert’s rock path
called to empty my heart and travel so dry,
When the lack of consoling is a tense mystery;
for leaving the old world I want to know why.
Then he strikes the rock and the waters are flowing
from me, from me,
Then he strikes the rock and the waters are flowing
through me, through me.
When I climb the rocks, and scrabble up the scarps
and scratch my hands and tear away my skin,
I’m weak and cannot continue in the heights,
I’ve come to the end for the air is too thin.
Then he strikes the rock and the waters are flowing
from me, from me,
Then he strikes the rock and the waters are flowing
through me, through me.
When friends make me riled and stir me around,
when political gain is everyone’s aim,
I can’t comprehend how believers behave,
With no care or compassion, simply spread blame.
Then he strikes the rock and the waters are flowing
from me, from me,
Then he strikes the rock and the waters are flowing
through me, through me.
When the nights are long and the travel is hard
It seems my faith can be gone without trace
and no way forward in the dry can be found.
I’m rocked and surprised by God’s presence and grace.
Then he strikes the rock and the waters are flowing
from me, from me,
Then he strikes the rock and the waters are flowing
through me, through me.
- Ted Witham 2017
- Is there a song-writer who would like to collaborate with me by refining this text and setting it to music? Reply via Comments.
Mind Journeys 
I’m interested in that proposition, Ted. The text seems to be almost half-way there already. I’m not bad at coming up with melodies to fit the lyric.
That would be great, Stephen. What’s the next step, Do you think? Do you want me to work on a more regular rhythm or would you like to sketch a melody and then I can massage The text into it?
I’d like to have a go first, if that’s all right with you Ted. Let’s see what I can come up with in the next few days. (I hope you’re not wanting to work faster.) Best.
That’s how I’d prefer to do it. Absolutely no hurry.
No worries I’ll be in touch soon!
Cheers