Anzac 2008 Lyrics

When I think of Anzac Day, I think of all the goodbyes that had to be said to friends and loved ones, not knowing if they would ever see each other again.

NEVER SAY GOODBYE

If I could take this moment forever,
Turn the pages of my mind
To another place and time
We would never say goodbye.

If I could find the words I would speak them,
Then I wouldn't be tongue-tied
When I looked into your eyes,
We would never say goodbye

If I could stop the moon ever rising,
Day would not become the night,
Wouldn't feel this cold inside
And we'd never say goodbye.

I wish that our dreams were frozen,
Then our hearts would not be broken,
When we let each other go...

If I could steal this moment forever,
Paint a picture-perfect smile
So our story stayed alive,
We would never say goodbye.


Another thing I remember on Anzac Day is that when the world seems to be self-destructing, when all around us there is fear and anxiety, we need something bigger than ourselves to trust in and bring us hope.

NO MORE NIGHT

The timeless theme,
Earth and heaven will pass away.
It’s not a dream,
God will make all things new that day.
Gone is the curse
From which I stumbled and fell;
Evil is banished
To eternal hell.

No more night,
No more pain,
No more tears,
Never crying again.
Praises to the great “I Am”,
We will live in the light
Of the risen Lamb.

See all around,
Now the nations bow down to sing.
The only sound
Is the praises to Christ, our King.
Slowly the names
From the book are read;
I know the King,
There’s no need to dread.

See over there,
It’s a mansion prepared for me
Where I can live
With my Saviour eternally.

No more night,
No more pain,
No more tears,
Never crying again.
Praises to the great “I Am”,
We will live in the light
Of the risen Lamb.
We will live in the light
Of the risen Lamb.
Hallelujah to the risen Lamb!



NOW IS THE HOUR

Now is the hour when we must say goodbye.
Soon you'll be sailing far across the sea.
While you're away, oh, then, remember me.
When you return, you'll find me waiting here.


Dunedin editor Thomas Bracken wrote a patriotic poem in the early 1870’s, printed it on the front page of his newspaper, and offered 10 guineas for the best musical setting. A school teacher from Lawrence, Otago, John Joseph Woods, won the prize – and “God Defend New Zealand” was the result. The song was adopted as our national anthem in 1940.


GOD DEFEND NEW ZEALAND

God of nations! at Thy feet
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our Free Land.
Guard Pacific's triple star,
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand

Men of ev'ry creed and race
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our Free Land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our State,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our Free Land.
Lord of battles in thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our Free Land.
From dishonour and from shame
Guard our country's spotless name
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,
God defend our Free Land.
Guide her in the nations' van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy Glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.


Listen to portions of my program here. The recordings were made at the rehearsal. Due to the size of the media files, the limits of Photobucket, and my lack of technical knowledge (i.e. file squashing), I couldn't load the complete songs.