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You have selected: WHO SWEEPS THE STABLE WHEN CHRISTMAS IS OVER? (words by Shirley Erena Murray) from the Ron Klusmeier Anthology. Subscribers may download arrangements using the links in the right hand column. Log in at left (first link beneath "The Catalogue") to activate the columns on the right.
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Lyrics and Author/Composer Comments are below.
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Verse 1 sung by David Moddle and accompanied by Ron Klusmeier.
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Lyrics:
Who sweeps the stable when Christmas is over,
who clears the table, the crumbs of the meal?
Practical people, compassionate people,
people not proud to take basin and kneel.
Who takes the load for the helpless and hurting,
who drives the road when the crisis is there?
People of spirit, compassionate people,
people with hands at the ready to care.
Who are the first to bring calm into chaos,
who tend the worst and restore what is best?
Heart-and-soul people, compassionate people,
saviours and servants, humanity’s test.
God, give us eyes for the needs of our neighbour,
God make us wise to the actions that bless,
being your servants and taking directions,
gladly and instantly answering “Yes!”
Author / Composer Comments
Author Shirley Erena Murray, from her book Touch the Earth Lightly (Hope Publishing Co., 2008, page 159): “There are few hymns I can find which express gratitude to the ‘hands-on’ people who deal with crisis and catastrophe, tidy up the pieces of a situation, do the necessary and menial tasks with a dedicated and caring spirit. This hymn [text] was used for an ecumenical service in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Wellington [NZ] in Recognition of Volunteers of all kinds and their service to the community. This included police, fire service people, counsellors, ambulance drivers, Red Cross workers and many more.”