Worship and Current Events
Many of the songs I write have come out of my relationships with specific people and communities. I was labeled a folk musician because my music was about and for people. However, it was always my heart that I would do more than document the people and communities I had intersected (though I believe to remember is to honor as well). I desired always to set my songs against a backdrop of immense hope. This was my offering and worship.
As I grow and mature in my understanding and expressions of worship, I see that many of the Psalms do the same thing. They document specific people and communities and events, celebrate God’s faithfulness and declare his promises in the midst of oppression. My latest album is my first official worship album. I am excited to bring to the front of it God’s promises for restoration and the prophecies of Isaiah as it applies to the broken and suffering in today’s world. I wanted to share an example.
I have not visited Brazil, though I plan to this coming August. I have been learning Portuguese for over a year and learning about Brazil, preparing to meet the people. In the process I have learned about many hard things the Brazilian people struggle with. I learned of several horrible massacres where police were “dealing with” the homeless youth population in Rio. The Candelaria massacre occured in Rio de Janeiro on the night of July 23, 1993. Eight street children were killed as police gunmen shot at a group of about seventy street children as they slept beside the Candelaria Church. And so I wrote a worship song, declaring God’s love for these children. It is a love, I confess, that scares me as it is so woven with mercy and justice. Maybe that is why I have not written worship songs like this before, because it so deeply connects me to a love that connects me to these children and I cannot turn away from them.
When You Call
Copyright 2006 Tracy Howe
When you call, call to me
I am waiting to hide you in my arms
When you cry, cry to me
Oh child, I have not turned away
When you run, run to me
Fear cannot find you when I hide you in my arms
When they come with their guns
Oh child, I’ll be with you ‘till the end
Though the world does not see you
And men have their way with you
Sweet mercy flows from me
Sweet mercy flows
And I will rise
I will rise for you
I will rise
I will rise
As I grow and mature in my understanding and expressions of worship, I see that many of the Psalms do the same thing. They document specific people and communities and events, celebrate God’s faithfulness and declare his promises in the midst of oppression. My latest album is my first official worship album. I am excited to bring to the front of it God’s promises for restoration and the prophecies of Isaiah as it applies to the broken and suffering in today’s world. I wanted to share an example.
I have not visited Brazil, though I plan to this coming August. I have been learning Portuguese for over a year and learning about Brazil, preparing to meet the people. In the process I have learned about many hard things the Brazilian people struggle with. I learned of several horrible massacres where police were “dealing with” the homeless youth population in Rio. The Candelaria massacre occured in Rio de Janeiro on the night of July 23, 1993. Eight street children were killed as police gunmen shot at a group of about seventy street children as they slept beside the Candelaria Church. And so I wrote a worship song, declaring God’s love for these children. It is a love, I confess, that scares me as it is so woven with mercy and justice. Maybe that is why I have not written worship songs like this before, because it so deeply connects me to a love that connects me to these children and I cannot turn away from them.
When You Call
Copyright 2006 Tracy Howe
When you call, call to me
I am waiting to hide you in my arms
When you cry, cry to me
Oh child, I have not turned away
When you run, run to me
Fear cannot find you when I hide you in my arms
When they come with their guns
Oh child, I’ll be with you ‘till the end
Though the world does not see you
And men have their way with you
Sweet mercy flows from me
Sweet mercy flows
And I will rise
I will rise for you
I will rise
I will rise
posted by Tracy Howe at 10:55 PM
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