Words and Music by Judith Hanlon

The Story:

One night I was visiting Daniel at the Hospice.  He was in so much pain.  Though he always enjoyed my visits--this particular night he had asked me to leave because he was in so much discomfort that conversation was impossible.  I prepared to leave. I didn't want to. Wishing there was something that I could do for my friend, I turned and looked at him from the doorway of his room. I wondered what Jesus, the Christ, would do if he were there at that moment. Would he give him a miraculous healing... Daniel would eventually die anyway. Would he give him wealth? What would money do for Daniel now. Then I remembered verses that my Mom always quoted from the 14th chapter of the gospel of John. I turned and looked at Daniel. I raised my hand as though I were leaving him with a benediction, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth it, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid."

It was like something shot across the room and Daniel said, "Thank you, bunny!" then turned over and went to sleep. OkayÖ.so, it could have been the drugs. However, the metaphor prevailed. Peace has power!! It is aggressive. It isn't the absence of struggle--it is the victory of struggle. I drove home, sat at the piano and wrote this song that night as I pictured Daniel finding rest, smack dab in the middle of insufferable pain. A peace that passes understanding. A peace that has the power of a redemptive cross.

The Song:

Chorus

My peace I leave with you, My peace I give

Not at the world giveth, give I to you

It is bigger and deeper more constantly true

Than all that you have or ever could do

ÖThan all that you have or could do

Verse 1

There is no darkness or evil around

That can separate you from me

No sinÖno sadnessÖno long black night

That the light of the cross can't free

Ö..Look through this night and see me

Like a song in the night or a true word of love

With the strength of the cross yet as soft as a dove

Like assurance that quickens our faltering way

Like a soft gentle breeze on a warm summer's day

ÖLike a breeze on a warm summer's day (chorus)

Verse 2

I came to carry your heavy yoke

I came to make burdens light

Let goÖgive it upÖlay it all on my back

Trust in my eternal night

ÖI will hold you with all of my might

Like a true flying arrow finding it's mark

Like a roaring bonfire's beginning spark

Like the glimmer of hope as the sun starts to rise

Like the dawn of forever in a lover's eyes

ÖLike the dawn of loving eyes (chorus)

Verse 3

I go to prepare a mansion for you

And if I go surely I'll come

To bring you home to sit by my side

When this weary, weary journey is done

Öwhen this weary, weary, weary, journey is done (chorus)

On this CD hear the melancholy and beauty of an original recorder part developed by the Rev. Steve Hammond.

  My Peace I Leave 

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