I haven't written many songs in my life. Two of the most important for me are the lyrics that I wrote following the death of Rachel Millen (music by Tim Beale, and then the 'public' NCYC version by Tim and Roger Imms), and the second for the funeral of my father, William David Mitchell, or Pop to us. I couldn't find a hymn that a congregation of church-goers and non-churchgoers could sing! So I wrote one to a familiar tune. When my brother Paul died, we did a similar thing to the tune of "The Water is Wide". I helped to shape Margaret's words, but for a couple of reasons I'm not going to claim them or share them.
Like a Candle
Like a candle burning wildly
Raging soft against the night
Spark that leaps to clear the shadows
Sending warm, disturbing light
We are called to live the passion
Hope stands strong against all pain
for it's only in the burning
that the candle shows its flame
Like a river running freely
Rapids swirl beside our feet
Swiftly flowing from the high land
Comes to rest, still waters meet
All our journeys rising, falling
Taking turns we least expect
When the Spirit churns within us
Know God's power through the test
Like an angel walking lightly
On this fragile earth of clay
Touching folk with raw compassion
Laughing, playing on the way
Freely living every moment
In the mystery of grace
Giving, dying, living, rising
See the beauty of God's face
See the hope that burns in darkness
Show compassion, strong and kind
Bind the hurt and broken-hearted
Be God's hands and voice and eyes
Sing a new song every sunrise
Climb to places out of reach
Walk in freedom of God's Spirit
As we die, so we shall live
We are called to live the passion
Hope stands strong against all pain
for it's only in the burning
that the candle shows its flame
God of Creation
(to the tune of "Morning Has Broken")
God of Creation
Gentle Life-giver
Present at birth and
all through our days
Author of sunrise
Song in the night sky
Here in this place, we
offer our praise
Jesus, Companion
Teacher and Healer
Friend of the grieving
suffering, the poor
Stand with your people
whisper among us
promise of mercy
goodness for all
Spirit of Comfort
blow through Creation
stir up new life, breathe
peace through our world
Healer of hearts, and
hope for tomorrow
weave all our sorrows
into new dawn
Here we give thanks for
life in its fullness
blessings received
your gifts to us all
Make us a people
filled with compassion
selflessly giving
serving your world
