Here’s a new song from David MacGregor and myself. The lyrics were prompted by the narrative of John the Baptist in Mark 1, “Prepare the Way”, plus my ongoing reaction to the Voice Referendum in Australia, and the video interviews that I did with Rev Dr Garry Deverell (editing still in progress). A voice crying in the desert and a voice from the heart – both cries for justice and change, both going uinheeded, seemed to go together. Along with that, I’m hoping to convey a sense that in the biblical narratives, and in the culture and spirituality of Aboriginal people, God/Spirit is already present in the land, if we would only see and hear. The song is intended to be open-ended in terms of what people read into it. Once again it’s been great to collaborate with my long-time friend David.

Make a New Way

A voice calls from the desert
A cry comes from the heart
Discomfort all my people
And make a brand new start

Old songs rise from the dreaming
Stories singing in the land
Rhythm beating in the rain clouds
Wisdom written in the sands

Make a way
Make a new way
Make a way
Make a new way
Make a new way

Come listen to the whisper
that’s humming in the breeze
Come feel the Spirit’s heartbeat
in the rivers and the trees

Make a way
Make a new way
Make a way
Make a new way
Make a new way

Prophet voices go unheeded
History silenced by the crowd
People shout against injustice
Hear the truth and tell it now

Come listen to the Maker
who’s living in the land
Be still and know within you
God’s Spirit is at hand

Make a way
Make a new way
Make a way
Make a new way
Make a new way

Copyright 2023. Licensing is with CCLI.

The song was written in 12/8 and David the musical genius has done the score in 4/4 so that it will be easier for musicians to play. This means that if you’re proficient enough to play each of the four beats as triplets you should (or as noted in the score – crotchet, quaver). It’s basically an Irish jig! David and Dale have done a great recording to launch it. I’m hoping we can do some more work on the recording in coming weeks.

DOWNLOAD Make a New Way Lead Sheet