I Say Peace
© 2019 Bret Hesla
I say “Peace”
when I see the cross.
That word somehow jumps out of my mouth.
I can’t explain it.
But when I see the cross
I say “Peace, Peace Peace.”
First I say “Peace.”
Then I say “Peace.”
And then it’s “Peace Peace Peace Peace Peace.”
I can’t explain it.
But when I see the cross
I say “Peace, Peace, Peace.”
I say “Thanks” when I see the sun ….
I say “Love” when I see you all ….
Words and music by Bret Hesla.
Written on commission for Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.
© 2019 Bret Hesla. All rights reserved. Use with permission, please.
Licensed via OneLicense.net, Contact: Bret.hesla@gmail.com.
Recording:
Piano: Tom Witt; Guitar: Tim Gustafson;
Vocals: Rebekah Moir, Martha Schwen-Bardwell, Cathy Pino, Nate Crary, Paul Andress, Ray Makeever, Chris Tripolino, Bret Hesla
This song was written on commission for my home congregation, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis. When I was gathering ideas for this commission series, one member of the congregation shared this story. “Every time my two-year-old son toddles into the church sanctuary and sees the cross, he says ‘Peace.'” It seemed like a great image for a song, and encapsulates something central to this congregation, deeply committed to taking collective action and making lifestyle decisions in line with peacemaking, justice and non-violence.