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#41 - I COULD NOT MAKE THE FLOWERS GROW

by Peter Kearney

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Scroll down to see FULL LYRICS & CD/MUSIC Information.

NOTES: This track is my setting of a poem and a prayer by Paul Smith. Paul was a sometime resident at the Edel Quinn Shelter in Wagga Wagga - a shelter for homeless men. He gave handwritten copies of his poem and prayer to my friend Joan Saboisky.

Joan, who compiled Shelter's newsletter, remembers that Paul was quite urgent in his request for the words be published. This became especially poignant when, two days later, he had a massive seizure and died without recovering consciousness.

Joan shared Paul's writings with me. At the end of her note conveying the context of the poem and prayer, she wrote: 'and the flowers grow’.

Some may find Paul’s words depressing but many of us in our own lives have experienced something of that bleakness and desperate hope. Perhaps Paul’s words can be heard as a modern psalm, in the spirit of Psalm 130:

"Out of the depths I cry to you oh Lord. Lord hear my voice".
******

lyrics

I COULD NOT MAKE THE FLOWERS GROW
I could not make the flowers grow.
I tilled the earth and the seeds I sowed
And even though the rains came down
Those seeds lay there in the barren ground.
I could not make them grow.

I moved on then to greener fields
In hopes that there my seeds would yield.
My sweat and blood must surely bring -
But still those seeds they failed to spring.
I could not make them grow.
I could not make the flowers grow.
I could not make them grow.

With calluses on my hands and feet
And even though my back grew weak
I worked and toiled throughout the year
In the hope that they might still appear.
But I could not make them grow.

And now I’m full of fear and grief.
I look back now in disbelief
For I am old and I must go
And I could not make the flowers grow.
I could not make them grow.
I could not make the flowers grow.
I could not make them grow.

Spoken:
Leave me not lost in here.
Leave me not cringed in fear.
Leave me not used and vacant.
Leave me not a vagrant.
Lord come and set me free
Bring with you a shining key.
Unlock the door to warm sunlight.
Come my Lord and stay the night.

Sung:
And on his grave the flowers grow.
In this song let flowers grow.
In his song let flowers grow for Paul.

Words: Paul Smith
Music: Peter Kearney

credits

released June 19, 2020
*****

AVAILABLE RESOURCES:
1. 'I Could Not Make the Flowers Grow' is one of twelve tracks on Peter's CD - THE COMMON GOOD. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356148
2. CD-ROM for The Common Good. PDF Music. Melodies, chords and lyrics for this song and eleven others. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/554039
3. PDF MUSIC for THIS SONG ONLY (lyrics and chords): peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/573730

THE RECORDING -
Peter Kearney (vocals, guitar)
Lindsay Martin (electric violin)
Recorded in concert at St. John's Hall, Dapto. Nov 22, 1990.
Kenny Miller (recording engineer).
Mixed at Abergeldio Studio, Mittagong.

COPYRIGHT © 1993. Violet Smith and Peter Kearney.
This song is registered with ONE LICENSE, APRA and AMCOS. Church and school licences through 'One License'. E: info@onelicense.net

ARTWORK for cover of 'The Common Good' CD by Dorothy Woodward. Dorothy's webpage: peterkearneysongs.com.au/dorothy-woodward-art

TO SEE ALL SONGS posted so far: peterkearney.bandcamp.com

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Peter Kearney Mittagong, Australia

Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.

LINKS BELOW are for Peter's:
- Website
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- Facebook Artist Page. ... more

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