Nothing too complicated this time.
I saw the Coen Brothers remake of ‘True Grit’ yesterday. It was quite enjoyable. Good performances, interesting characterisations, situational humour and a couple of very brief instances of strong violence.
The soundtrack of the film repeatedly used the melody of ‘Leaning On The Everlasting Arms’, with the song being sung over the closing credits.
So, since I can’t get the melody and words out of my head I shared them with the church tonight, and now you can get them stuck in your head too.
Andrew Showalter’s tune and refrain and Elisha A Hoffman’s lyrics are timelessly poignant and encouraging.
1.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
Chorus.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
2.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
Chorus.
3.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
I have peace complete with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
Chorus.
Tonight I’ve figured out that instead of saying that I could be the pastor of a country and western church, that mgpc will probably end up turning into a country and western church. So, here’s Chet Aitkens’ rendition of Leaning On The Everlasting Arms. With Carman (yes, Carman) doing an Elvis imitation on accompanying vocals.
Here’s the very, very, very distinctive voice of Iris DeMent singing the version which appears over the credits of True Grit.
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