Author Archives: jackpelham

It shines even now—Though some will not see it— That holy City,That dwelling place of God—Its radiance like the rarest jewel. It is that Mount Zion of which The former was but a shadow—That new Jerusalem of whichThe former was … Continue reading →

We sang “Jesus Will Fix It”,As if fixing broken thingsIs indeed the right thing to do. But looking back,I can see that we didn’t really careAll that much to have everything fixed;No, what we wanted more than thatWas simply to … Continue reading →

Here’s a short teaser for a choral tune I’m cooking up for Christmas.

He took away her sea—The raging waters of darknessThat had spat at her very existence—Who had encroached whenever they couldTo defile her dry landAnd destroy the darling raceSo as to stab atThe Ancient of DaysFor the banishing They had deserved. … Continue reading →

Here’s another piece I wrote for chorus, played on strings.

Here’s a piece I wrote for chorus, performed here with string sounds.

She thought she’d had enough of Hitler,But this world doesn’t know herself very well. She was tired and hurt and hungry,But after some rest, she’d be ready for more.

Bitterness is a liar.She promises that,If only you’d spendA little more time with her,She’d fill up that void In your heart. And when that doesn’t work,She tells you that If you could just Get someone else To be bitter alongside … Continue reading →

The ship’s undone—So far asea as to have Lost sight of the shore—With neither sail nor anchor. The hands on deck are not our crew,For we’re all forced belowTo do whatever we can find To suit us here.We pretend away … Continue reading →

If really He has your ear,O preacher–As you assure us He does–As you tell of having“Heard the call”–And as we hear your Pious pre-sermon prayerThat He will guide your mouthTo say as He would say–And as you have taught usThat … Continue reading →