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#72 UNLESS THE GRAIN OF WHEAT FALLS

by Peter Kearney

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Scroll down for LYRICS & RESOURCES (cd & pdf music)

UNLESS THE GRAIN OF WHEAT FALLS
The text of this song incorporates ideas and images from a homily given by Fr Dick Buchhorn at the funeral of Ronald 'Cheeky' McIntosh, a young Aboriginal man who was shot and killed in a race-related clash in Moree, NSW on November 5th 1982.

My use of the word 'martyr' in this context is unusual but worthy of consideration.

The scriptural image of 'the grain of wheat' used by Fr. Buchhorn to offer hope in a desperate situation is from John 12:24.

Permission to publish the song was received from Dick Buchhorn and Ronald’s parents. For more on the background to the tragic death of Ronald ‘Cheeky’ McIntosh you could read this article: www.moreechampion.com.au/story/7015805/cheeky-mcintosh-remembered-during-memorial-luncheon/

lyrics

UNLESS THE GRAIN OF WHEAT FALLS
Unless the grain of wheat falls
Into the ground and dies
There can be no harvest underneath these skies.

We gather here this day to mourn a friend of ours cut down.
In the prime of life he was so needlessly cut down.
We give him back to earth now, no more will he bleed
We’re not burying a body, we plant a seed.

Unless the grain of wheat falls
Into the ground and dies
There can be no harvest underneath these skies.

Blessed is the dream we share - peace and justice in this land.
Blessed are the ones who mourn he who died by hatred’s hand.
He died for us a martyr and so by our deep creed
We’re not burying a body, we plant a seed.
We’re not burying a body, we plant a seed.

*****

Words and music by Peter Kearney

credits

released April 16, 2021
Copyright 1984 Peter Kearney.
Parish and School licenses through ONE LICENSE: www.onelicense.net

RELATED RESOURCES
for 'Unless the Grain of Wheat Falls'
1. MAKE ME A SONG. Double CD (contains 'Unless the Grain of Wheat Falls' and 35 other PK songs): LINK: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356147
2. TURN IT ALL AROUND Custom-CD: (contains 'Unless the Grain of Wheat Falls' and the eleven other songs, as heard on the original cassette tape): LINK: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356151
3. TURN IT ALL AROUND Custom-CD-ROM: (contains melodies, chords, lyrics, notes on songs etc scanned from the original 'Turn It All Around' music-book which is now out of print.) LINK: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/554040
4. PDF MUSIC for the song 'Unless the Grain of Wheat Falls'. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/664084

*****
THE RECORDING
Recorded at the Platypus Studio, Brogers Creek, NSW, Australia.
SOUND ENGINEER: Nic Lyon
PRODUCED and ARRANGED by Peter Kearney & Nic Lyon.
MUSIC: Vocals and guitar by Peter Kearney
Extra guitar for verse two and final chorus played by ROGER ILOTT

COVER ARTWORK
- for 'Turn It All Around' cover by KARIN DONALDSON

The album title 'Turn It All Around' comes from a poem by GORDON BIOK.

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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
- Online store
- Facebook Artist Page. ... more

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