Justice Like a Base of Stone
1. How shall we pursue the dream: Building true equality?
Put down, put down in the deepest ground Justice, like a base of stone.
Using our united power. Lifting all together now
Put down, put down in the deepest ground Justice, like a base of stone.
2. We who come from many lands welcome all with open hand.
Put down, put down in the deepest ground Justice, like a base of stone.
Many from among us lead. Sharing power we are freed.
Put down, put down in the deepest ground Justice, like a base of stone.
Chorus:
And we will lay a new foundation bearing on the justice stone.
And raise abundance over all bearing on the justice stone.
3. Standing at the bolted door. Questioning the status quo….
Fairness overcoming fear. Everyone will have a share….
Ch.
4. Listen to the Spirit’s call: Crumble the dividing wall….
Hope, but never sit and wait. Learn to use the tools of change….
Ch.
Other verses:
5. Compassion’s empty without deed. Action’s what the afflicted need….
Level every playing field. Work until the breach is healed….
6. Doubting the official word. Letting every voice be heard….
Challenging the club of power. Giving common good the floor….
7. Learning from each other’s songs. Knowing that we all belong….
Many from among us lead. Sharing power, we are freed….
8. Listen to the Spirit’s call: Earth’s abundance meant for all ….
Words and music by Bret Hesla. Piano Accpt. Tom Witt.
© 2006 Bret Hesla. Admin Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Use with permission, please.
Also licensed via OneLicense.net. Contact: Bret.hesla@gmail.com.
Recording by Bread for the Journey, with Linda Breitag on lead vocals.
I wrote this song as a commission for ISAIAH Minnesota, a group that organizes church congregations to work politically on legislation for social justice. [the Christian left]. The song uses images from the book of Isaiah, Chapter 58, as suggested by Sue, a friend who was working for them at the time. Recording from Justice Like a Base of Stone, by Bread for the Journey (Augsburg Fortress Publishers).