Guest guitarist and songwriter Austin Lambert joins Caeli McKamey today on a song they wrote together recently called “Anybody Can Be An Angel”.  Caeli says the lyrics came about while learning about Abraham last month and thinking about the various aspects of the concept of ‘sacrifice’, particularly in light of the plight of children in many places throughout the world today.

Anybody Can Be An Angel

In the dark you cannot see the light
when they sacrifice children’s precious lives.
Beliefs are deceived, how will you know
Whether you believed, how will it show?

That anybody can be an angel when they have the chance
We all can make a difference if we only have a glance
At the light we all carry inside our hearts
Can you bring it to the ones who have fallen apart?

There are no words their eyes can never see.
Their voice it spreads far, far across the sea.
Are you listening? “Come fast to my rescue.
Up against the shore my rock of deep refuge.”

Anybody can be an angel when they have the chance,
We all can make a difference if we only have a glance
At the light we all carry inside our hearts.
Can you bring it to the ones who have fallen apart?

Anybody can be an angel when they have the chance,
We all can make a difference if we only have a glance
At the light we all carry inside our hearts.
Can you bring it to the ones who have fallen apart?

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Closing Song – Festival of Friends by Bruce Cockburn

Music played at the closing is intended to perform a different function than the songs sung during the service.  It plays more of an ambient role creating an atmosphere for fellowship and mingling as people prepare to head out into the day.  Often it will be an instrumental piece so people won’t feel like there is something they should be ‘paying attention to’.  But the lyrics to Festival of Friends are so appropriate for a parting song, we couldn’t resist.

Canadian songwriter Bruce Cockburn (b. 1945) released his 33rd album this year. “His early work featured rural and nautical imagery, Biblical metaphors, and the conviction that heaven is close despite hardship. Raised as an agnostic, early in his career he became a devout Christian. Many of his albums from the 1970s refer to his Christian belief, which in turn informs the concerns for human rights and environmentalism expressed on his 1980s albums. His references to Christianity in his music include the Grail imagery of 20th-century Christian poet Charles Williams and the ideas of theologian Harvey Cox” – Wikepedia.  Written in 1975, Festival of Friends may or may not have been written for the Festival of Friends Folk Festival in Ottawa, Canada which began in 1976.  I learned it not long after that and it has been a favorite ever since.  It’s a simple song, great for campfires and sing-alongs. Have a great day!

Festival of Friends by Bruce Cockburn

An elegant song won’t hold up long
When the palace falls and the parlour’s gone
We all must leave but it’s not the end
We’ll meet again at the festival of friends.

Smiles and laughter and pleasant times
There’s love in the world but it’s hard to find
I’m so glad I found you — I’d just like to extend
An invitation to the festival of friends.

Some of us live and some of us die
Someday God’s going to tell us why
Open your heart and grow with what life sends
That’s your ticket to the festival of friends.

Like an imitation of a good thing past
These days of darkness surely will not last
Jesus was here and he’s coming again
To lead us to his festival of friends.

Black snake highway — sheet metal ballet
It’s just so much snow on a summer day
Whatever happens, it’s not the end
We’ll meet again at the festival of friends.