Flowers Will Bloom in the Desert

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Walter Farquharson
Tune Name: CR HILL

Lyrics as Poetry

Flowers will bloom in the desert,
and enemies learn to be friends.
God’s world will be filled with God’s being,
will welcome the One that God sends.

Flowers will bloom in the desert,
captives walk free.
These promises, God, you have given,
your people have nurtured this dream.

The hungry will feed at the banquet,
the blinded be able to see.
All captives will walk out of prisons,
surprised at their call to be free.

Flowers will bloom in the desert,
captives walk free.
These promises, God, you have given,
your people have nurtured this dream.

The poor will know good news is spoken,
their value affirmed by their God.
The crippled will dance with God’s praises
and lilies shall burst from dead sod.

Flowers will bloom in the desert,
captives walk free.
These promises, God, you have given,
your people have nurtured this dream.

These promises, God, you have given,
your people have nurtured this dream.
In Jesus you call us to action,
you hold us in highest esteem.

Flowers will bloom in the desert,
captives walk free.
These promises, God, you have given,
your people have nurtured this dream.


Words by
Walter FarquharsonCopyright © 1985 by Walter Farquharson
Administered by Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, Illinois • USA

Comments About Song

A Reflection by
WALTER FARQUHARSON


As a boy I saw Walt Disney’s film The Living Desert. Spectacular photography captured the transformation of seemingly barren landscapes when life-giving rains and flowing streams called forth a new and vibrant world.

Years later I would hear Connie Kaldor, Canadian songwriter and performer, proclaim “Spring on the prairie, it comes as a surprise. One minute there’s snow on the ground, the next the sun’s in your eyes!”

Anyone who has lived in a climate where short or long periods of drought are reality knows how the first drops of rain give rise to hope, to gratitude, to commitment to participate in the newness that is offered.

Three of my favorite, and I believe formative, passages of Scripture are from the prophet Isaiah – Chapters 35, 55 and 61. The words I wrote really just echo the words of Isaiah. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing … The eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the death unstopped … The spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners.”

Like so much of Scripture these words address the individual who hears or otherwise experiences them. And, they address all social systems including those of religion and of economics. Addressed as well are all things political, all ways we organize our communities and nations – ways offering blessing or curse as the ancient dichotomy of the Book of Deuteronomy states,”I have set before you blessing and curse, life and death. Choose life that you might live!”

Prisoners walk free. These words shock us. We are used to thinking of prisoners as “them”, as people locked away for their own good and the safety of the neighborhood. But who among us, at some time or other in our lives, has not been imprisoned. For some, in an actual jail or refugee camp, some place of political internment. For others in an addiction, in an individual or corporate sell-out. In anger or nurtured jealousy or resentment. In fear. In state of paralysis or debilitating depression or anxiety. Or …

Good news. Liberation. Acceptance of and growth into freedom, the binding-up of the broken and the broken-hearted. Good news. Good news.

I have heard proclaimers use the words of Isaiah 55 as dire threat, like a final warning, the ultimate “Or else…” Body language, tone of voice, obvious attitude of addressing “them” all announcing, “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near… Let the wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous their thoughts…

This is invitation not warning, welcome not a laying down of conditions for being accepted. These are the open arms and open heart that takes flesh and chooses to dwell amongst and within us.

                                                              Audio Sample for "Flowers Will Bloom in the Desert"

A NOTE REGARDING THE SAMPLE
AUDIO RECORDING ABOVE

To celebrate Walter Farquharson's 75th birthday, a small group of my church friends got together to create a very informal one-take, no-edits, recording of a few of the many titles on which he and I had collaborated over the years. We were an all-ages, ecumenical group. Some sang parts, some sang unison, some simply closed their eyes and listened. We were a very authentic 'pick-up-congregation'!. "Flowers will Bloom in the Desert" was one of the selections burned onto a one-off 'Happy Birthday, Walter!" CD which was sent with much affection to my writing partner and friend.

AUDIO ACCOMPANIMENT TRACK
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Scripture References

  • Isaiah 35
  • Isaiah 51:3
  • Isaiah 55
  • Isaiah 61:1-4

Videos

Flowers Will Bloom in the Desert
Accompaniment Track with WORDS and MUSIC NOTATION. Words copyright © 1985 by Walter Farquharson. Music copyright © 1987 by Ron Klusmeier. Words & Music administered by Hope Publishing Company.
Flowers Will Bloom in the Desert
Accompaniment Track with WORDS and IMAGES. Words copyright © 1985 by Walter Farquharson. Music copyright © 1987 by Ron Klusmeier. Words & Music administered by Hope Publishing Company.
Flowers Will Bloom in the Desert
Accompaniment Track with WORDS. Words copyright © 1985 by Walter Farquharson. Music copyright © 1987 by Ron Klusmeier. Words & Music administered by Hope Publishing Company

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • Advent∶Themes∶ hope
  • Advent∶Themes∶ love
  • Advent∶Themes∶ peace
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  • Renewal
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