I was brought up going to a church where we sung traditional hymns. It was part of what we did. It was part of my young faith. As I was growing up I heard new Christian songs. Some were written in the style of the British groups of the early sixties; from The States we heard Jim Reeves singing Christian country music, and Elvis singing his Gospel songs.
Living below in this old sinful world.
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptation’s call
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Where could I go? Oh, where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Coming back to ‘Where could I go?’ it reminds me of my young faith, using familiar language – sin and temptation, worldly and heavenly… With a slightly nostalgic feel, it brings me back to the very real teenage faith. It reminds me of my roots, my strong but simple faith; Jesus was my friend, my Saviour, my Lord.
Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from God’s own word
Yet when I face the chilling hand of death
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Sixty years later my world is very different. My faith has evolved; it’s been deconstructed and reconstructed. Coming back to the song it still expresses my faith. This verse in particular expresses much of my reality: I appreciate friends more, I know and love the Bible more; several folk I know have died recently, death seems closer and more real.
Where could I go? Oh, where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord?
We won’t sing ‘Where should I go?’ at church this morning. I doubt Elvis will get a look in. However, it’s good to be reminded of, to muse on, Jesus as my friend, my Saviour and my Lord. He has kept me with Him through those sixty years… and is the one I will continue to go to as the ‘refuge for my soul’.
malcolmsmusings.org 