Oh Had I A Golden Thread - (Song of Remembrance)

A prayer that was sung at the First Presbyterian Church of Watertown, NY after the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pennsylvania (Oct. 2018). It takes the common line and tune of the song, “Oh Had I a Golden Thread.”

Oh had I a golden thread
And a needle so fine
I’d bind up this hurting world
With God’s love so divine 
With God’s love so divine 

I’d weave a tale of remembrance 
Of those who’ve lost their lives
In service and in innocence
God come wipe away our tears
Wipe away our tears

When I look up and ask, “How long?”
And I wait for God’s reply,
“It’s you who are keepers of eachother, 
And need to love with heart and mind.”
Love with heart and mind.”

If we but lay our weapons down 
And set aside our hate filled ways
We might then dream dreams of hope
Instead of dreams of fear
Instead of dreams of fear

We pray for peace and justice Lord
Though our hearts are filled with grief
Give us strength to face each day
With hands that heal instead of harm 
Hands that heal not harm.

Oh we have that golden thread
And a needle so fine
We’ll bind up this hurting world
With God’s love so divine 
With God’s love so divine