Jan’s note: After Gary’s death, as I began the long process of archiving his recorded work, I came upon a disc that contained a collection of a dozen songs he had performed over the course of several months at an open mic we regularly visited. The sound technician for the open mic had recorded it as a surprise for Gary and slipped it into his hand one evening. Our friend (also named Gary) could not have imagined the joy that would come—in the company of many other emotions—when I began to listen to the CD. For several of his songs, that CD holds the only recording we have.
“Let Hope Be” is one of those songs. This is the first time I have ever shared it. In this week of reflecting on A Complicated Joy, it seemed most fitting.
Let Hope Be
words and music © Garrison Doles
Well, it’s only a miracle
Of every day
God’s own gift
Of mercy and delight
And we look for this miracle
We are reminded by faith
And we look for this miracle
In the darkness and the light
Let hope be the beating of our hearts
Let hope be our armor and our shield
Let hope be the wings that carry us
Let hope be Your power revealed
And I will reach out my hands
In the hour of need
Submitting to Your will
And You will best understand my need
My hands will then be filled
It is only a miracle
Of every day
God’s own gift
Of mercy and delight
And we look for this miracle
We are reminded by faith
And we look for this miracle
In the darkness and the light
Let hope be the beating of our hearts
Let hope be our armor and our shield
Let hope be the wings that carry us
Let hope be Your power revealed
And I will open my heart
In the hour of need
Submitting to Your will
And You will best
Understand my need
My heart will then be filled
It is only a miracle
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