Beneath the Cross of Jesus was performed March 23, 2003 by the Adult Choir of First United Methodist Church, Austin, Texas.  Scott Davis rehearsed the choir and did a masterful job of playing the organ in this performance.  Scott is also responsible for transcribing my handwritten manuscript to a professional printed copy.

Beneath the Cross is one of the loveliest of traditional hymns.  I chose not to alter the melody for the first and last verses.  My contributions consist mostly of providing fresh harmonies and rich accompaniment so that a new pacing moves the listener to a point of deeper contemplation.  I came up with the introduction, interludes, and ending.  The middle verse retains the original rhythm, but I felt it best to alter the melody line to be almost unrecognizeable so that it more effectively tracks the plaintive text.   Following is the complete text by Elizabeth Clephane, original melody by Fredrick Maker.

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock with in a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One who suffered there for me;
And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess:
The wonder of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face;
Content to let the world go by, to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Any parent of a two-year-old should appreciate this song.  A new parent's life changes drastically, of course it's for the better, but things that seemed important before, like getting out to the movies,  subtly get replaced by doing things associated with keeping one's sanity in the midst of family change.  Those with active children will get the most out of the following text:

Uh-uh!
Get down from there, you will fall and hurt yourself!
Spit it out, only food goes in your mouth!
What did you do with your other shoe?
You should be asleep, and I'd better not hear another peep.

Kisa, Kisa, you build our world around you
 Our love surrounds you
Kisa, Kisa, I can't begin to hide
 this abundance of pride,
 my little girl!

You were born to sing, your pitch is perfect;
You notice everything, and tell us in your dialect.
And when you're tired, you let us know
It's time for bed, but you won't go!

Kisa Karina, we've waited so long
 for you to come to our home
Kisa, can I keep up, I just gotta find out
 How to slow you down

  Our twelve volt battery
  In a double-A body
  Gotta give you lots of room
  To scatter your sonic boom

  Come join our ride,
  Always by our side
  Always in our arms
  Kisa keep bringing on your charms!

Your smile, your cherub face, your words amaze me;
Your fingers move with grace, and your waddle slays me!
When there's something that you want, you just demand it,
But you're so cute I just can't stand it!

Kisa, Kisa, you build our world around you
 Our love surrounds you
Kisa, Kisa, I can't begin to hide
 such abundance of pride,
 my little girl!