Lyrics of “Through the night of doubt and sorrow“

As it was my custom since 2010, I would specially post a hymn on the 3rd may of the year.  3rd may had always been a special day in my life.

So far I have shared the following hymns

What A Friend I have In Jesus” – May 3rd 2010
“Thanks to God” – May 3rd 2011
“Day By Day” – May 3rd 2012
“All The Way The Savior Leads Me” – May 3rd 2013
“Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer” – May 3rd 2014
”Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” – May 3rd 2015
”Hold Thou My hand” – May 3rd 2016
”My Father Watches Over Me” – May 3rd 2017
“I will sing”  – May 3rd 2018
“It is Well WIth My Soul”  – May 3rd 2019

IT is not an easier year since the last. Parenting had been way difficult. But I thank God that he had move much to direct me back to return home.

God had been kind to assure me that he had been watching me over since the first day I step out in 2010 when I wrote about it 10 years ago.

But the world now had sure gotten more and more difficult and now with the virus. It is something that no one would have expected. Now churches had to be close and worship had to be streamed online.

I remember when I was much younger. This was a joke we have in the youth service that one day we will be forced to attend church online and now that had become a reality. I remember we were joking about having a button on a website saying “Press here for your Holy Communion” .. In my church we have Holy Communion every month, and ironically it had been something that I took for granted all my life. Now it is impossible for us to gather to eat it together.

In a way I know God had safely protected my family and we are far from any major epicenter of the virus. And that we are still blessed with our daily bread. Even though life is hard, it is still livable. I know I am supposed to learn how to trust God better and how to continue to let him guide my family to do what he wants us to do.

I believe as we progress in faith, God will increase the intensity of the trials that are set before us. So that through it we can discover weakness and to improve our faith. God will continue to train each and everyone of his children so that their faith grows. While some may view the Virus as a punishment, I would rather view it as a training ground to see how many will be able to continue worshipping even though there is no longer a chance to gather.

If we truly believe in the fact that God is watching each and everyone of us , we will know that he will be watching us in our worship even as we are unable to gather in churches.

That said, I wish each and every one of us will remain strong and continue in our walk to the kingdom of God. So for today, I would like to share. As a reminder that our target is not earth. We all yearn for the better place to come. Interestingly the tune we used to sing this is unique to my church and I am able to find it. Therefore I am attaching a tune that I know will work.

Title: Through the night of doubt and sorrow

Author: Bern­hardt S. In­ge­mann, 1826 (Igjen­nem Nat og Traeng­sel).
Translated from Da­nish to Eng­lish by Sa­bine Bar­ing-Gould

1 Through the night of doubt and sorrow
  onward goes the pilgrim band,
  singing songs of expectation,
  marching to the promised land.
Clear before us through the darkness
  gleams and burns the guiding light;
  pilgrim clasps the hand of pilgrim,
  stepping fearless through the night.

2 One the light of God’s own presence
  o’er his ransomed people shed,
  chasing far the gloom and terror,
  brightening all the path we tread:
One the object of our journey,
  one the faith which never tires,
  one the earnest looking forward,
  one the hope our God inspires:

3 One the strain that lips of thousands
  lift as from the heart of one;
  one the conflict, one the peril,
  one the march in God begun:
One the gladness of rejoicing
  on the far eternal shore,
  where the one almighty Father
  reigns in love for evermore.

4 Onward, therefore, Christian pilgrims,
  onward with the cross our aid;
  bear its shame, and fight its battle,
  till we rest beneath its shade.
Soon shall come the great awaking,
  soon the rending of the tomb;
  then the scattering of all shadows,
  and the end of toil and gloom.

 

Lyrics of “It Is Well With My Soul”

As it was my custom since 2010, I would specially post a hymn on the 3rd may of the year.  3rd may had always been a special day in my life.

So far I have shared the following hymns

What A Friend I have In Jesus” – May 3rd 2010
“Thanks to God” – May 3rd 2011
“Day By Day” – May 3rd 2012
“All The Way The Savior Leads Me” – May 3rd 2013
“Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer” – May 3rd 2014
”Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” – May 3rd 2015
”Hold Thou My hand” – May 3rd 2016
”My Father Watches Over Me” – May 3rd 2017
“I will sing”  – May 3rd 2018

Year 2019 is slightly kinder to me compared to 2018. There are plenty of things to thank God for. God had finally led me to a job to be able to feed my children. The workplace serves as a good relief and escape.

At least life in a way is much more stable. Though sometimes the pain can be still hard and painful, but the mantra of Paul is often on my mind.

“for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.
Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be
full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”- Paul (Php 4:11-13)

Recently this hymn is always in my mind. It was written by Horatio Spatford. He is a man who I believe undergo way much more sufferings that I did. He composed the hymn after a series of misfortune befall him. He lost his son(aged 2) at the great Chicago fire of 1871, which destroyed quite a lot of his properties. His business suffered because of the economic downturn.
He planned to travel to Europe with his family on board SS Villie Du Havre, later on he had a change of plan and he sent his remaining family on board. The ship sank in the Atlantic ocean in a collision, that costs the life of his four daughters, leaving his wife a sole survivor. The wife sent a telegram to him saying “Saved alone…”

He composed the hymn while on his way to comfort his grieving wife.

Yet in the midst of these suffering he is able to write “It is well with my soul” What immense courage is that. So whenever I think about the tune and consider the thing that happened to him, I know that likewise I need to learn to handle difficulty and pain. It is by no means an easy task. Especially when the pain is coming from loved ones. I hope that one day I would learn to be able to say the same in the midst of difficulty and sadness.

But for now, I thank God for all he had given.

Title: It Is Well With My Soul
Author : Horatio Spafford

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
A song in the night, oh my soul!

 

Lyrics of “红尘客栈”

Today is a special day. I would like to  wish the love of my life a happy birthday. This time I am unable to be with her physically. It is making me really sad. At this point of time I wish i can go back and see her.

Therefore I would like to dedicate this song to her.

To those who were watching this MTV. Just to put the story into context. This is set in ancient China where a famous swordsman rescued a damsel who was captured by a group of thugs. After freeing the girl, he went into a life of recluse away from his former life of fighting and feuds.

As they lead their lives happily, eventually their enemies found them and attacked. The swordsman died allowing the damsel to flee. I remember scrolling through the comments and some were wondering why the lady abandoned her lover. Apparently the answer was in the text on the screen. The swordsman told her “You escape now, we would meet at the usual spot”. That is why she was waiting for him at the lake. Unfortunately he must have died which is why he did not appear.

Even though the MTV looks very well made. I still think they should have escape through the back door.   I would think that would be a smarter move instead of facing all the enemies at the main door.

I found the lyrics very beautiful. It is not easy to translate it to English effectively. But I gave it a shot nonetheless

Title : 红尘客栈 Artist : 周杰伦天涯的尽头是风沙 红尘的故事叫牵挂 封刀隐没在寻常人家 东篱下 闲云 野鹤 古刹	tiānyá de jìntóu shì fēngshā hóngchén de gùshi jiào qiānguà fēng dāo yǐnmò zài xúncháng rénjiā Dōng lí xià jiān yún yě hè gǔ chà
快马在江湖里厮杀 无非是名跟利放不下 心中有江山的人岂能快意潇洒 我只求与你共华发	kuài mǎ zài jiānghú lǐ sīshā wú fēi shì míng gēn Lì fàng bu xià xīn zhōng yǒu jiāngshān de rén qǐ néng kuàiyì xiāosǎ wǒ zhī qiú yú nǐ gòng huáfà
Chorus 剑出鞘 恩怨了 谁笑 我只求今朝拥你入怀抱 红尘客栈风似刀 骤雨落 宿命敲	Chorus jiàn chūqiào ēnyuàn liǎo shéixiào wǒ zhǐqiújīnzhāoyōngnǐ rùhuáibào hóngchénkèzhànfēng sì dāo zhòuyǔ  luò sùmìng qiāo
任武林谁领风骚 我却只为你折腰 过荒村野桥 寻世外古道 远离人间尘嚣 柳絮飘执子之手逍遥 Chorus ends	rèn wǔlín shéi lǐng fēngsāo wǒ  què zhǐ wèi nǐ zhéyāo Guò huāngcūn yěqiáo xún shìwài gǔdào yuǎnlí rénjiān chénxiāo liǔ xù piāo zhí zi zhī shǒu xiāoyáo
檐下窗棂斜映枝桠 与你席地对座饮茶 我以工笔画将你牢牢的记下 提笔不为风雅	yán xià chuāng líng xié yìngzhīyā yù nǐ xí dì duì zuò yǐnchá wǒ yǐ gōng bǐhuà jiāngnǐ láoláo de jì xià tíbǐ bù wèi fēngyǎ
灯下叹红颜近晚霞 我说缘份一如参禅不说话 你泪如梨花洒满了纸上的天下 爱恨如写意山水画	dēng xià tàn hóngyán jìn wǎnxiá wǒ shuō yuán fèn yīrú cānchán bù shuōhuà nǐ lèi rú lí Huā sǎmǎn le  zhǐ shàng de tiānxià ài hèn rú xièyì shānshuǐhuà
Repeat Chorus 任武林谁领风骚 我却只为你折腰 你回眸多娇 我泪中带笑 酒招旗风中萧萧 剑出鞘 恩怨了	Repeat Chorus rèn wǔlín shéi lǐngfēngsāo wǒ  què zhǐ wèi nǐ zhéyāo nǐ  huímóu duō jiāo wǒ lèi zhòng dài xiào jiǔ zhāo qí   fēng Zhōng XiāoXiāo jiàn chūqiào ēnyuàn liǎo

Translation

Title : The Tavern Of Life

The ends of the world is the wilderness
The stories of life are about longing
I sheath my sword and vanished into reclusion
Among old temples and wild cranes

To ride and kill in the past,
all for the sake of fame and glory.
One who long to rule the world will never live free and simple
Now I long to grow old with you.

Chorus
Who rejoices in fighting and feuds
I would rather have you in my arms
The Traven of life is filled with violence
The rain falls and karma strikes

It doesn’t matter who rules the world
For I will only submit to you
To seek a simple life, to live in recluse,
Away from the bustle and hustle of life
To live a simple and carefree life.
Chorus End

The branches rustles outside of our old window
As I drank tea face to face with you.
I inscribed you in my mind through paintbrush
with graceful and bold strokes

As sunset approaches with beauty
Fate became as silent as though in mediation
Your tears fell like flowers to my drawing
Emotions like strokes within the painting

Chorus

It doesn’t matter who rules the world
For I will only submit to you
I smiled and tear as you glance back
As the banner flew desolate in the wind,
Sword unsheathed, gratitude’s and feud ended

 

 

 

Lyrics Of “I will sing”

As it was my custom since 2010, I would specially post a hymn on the 3rd may of the year.  3rd may had always been a special day in my life.

So far I have shared the following hymns

What A Friend I have In Jesus” – May 3rd 2010
“Thanks to God” – May 3rd 2011
“Day By Day” – May 3rd 2012
“All The Way The Savior Leads Me” – May 3rd 2013
“Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer” – May 3rd 2014
”Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” – May 3rd 2015
”Hold Thou My hand” – May 3rd 2016
”My Father Watches Over Me” – May 3rd 2017

It is quite interesting to say that everything around me started to fall apart 2 months after that last post. I can still remember that last happy weekend where I was travelling down Bui Vien street enjoying Vietnamese egg coffee and coconut coffee

From that weekend onwards, peace seem so far away. It was tore away bit by bit.  It started out at work, with projects falling apart, team shrinking. We continue to fight on back at work for the next 6 months, until it it finally led to unemployment.

The only happy thing that came was the birth of my daughter, yet in the midst of that joy. The worry of not being able to find employment and to take care of her looms ominously in your mind. The probability that I may need to be separate from my children are there.

This is on of the times you wish that there are some comfort from God, but you find God awfully silent. Yet instead you are surrounded by misunderstandings, accusations, criticism, and the demands of love, completely isolated and in pain

It is one of these time that you wonder what is the point of holding on. What is the point of enduring? Actually there are plenty of reasons to give up.  But as these thoughts are running through my mind. The song by Prophet Habakkuk was ringing in my mind.

“Though the fig tree may not blossom,
  Nor fruit be on the vines;
  Though the labor of the olive may fail,
  And the fields yield no food;
  Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
  And there be no herd in the stalls—    
   Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
   I will joy in the God of my salvation.

   The Lord God is my strength; 
  He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
  And He will make me walk on my high hills.” –Habakkuk (Hab 3:17-19)

That is why for this time. I would like to share this hymn                   

I Will Sing
Don Moen

Lord, You seem so far away
A million miles or more, it feels today
And though I haven’t lost my faith
I must confess right now
That it’s hard for me to pray

But I don’t know what to say
And I don’t know where to start
But as You give the grace
With all that’s in my heart

I will sing, yes, I will praise, even in my darkest hour
Through the sorrow and the pain
I will sing, I will praise, lift my hands to honor You
Because Your word is true, I will sing

Lord it’s hard for me to see all the thoughts
And plans You have for me, yes it is
But I will put my trust in You
Lord we made Your die to set me free
Oh thank God You did

But I don’t know what to say
And I don’t know where to start
But as you give the grace
With all that’s in my heart

I will…

 

Lyrics of “Jesus is mine”

Recently the lyrics of the hymn keep popping up in my mind. Especially the following few lines
“Dark is the wilderness, Earth has no resting place,
Perishing things of clay, born but for one brief day
All that my soul has tried left but a dismal void;,”

Recently in a personal correspondence with a friend, we were sharing about how easily one could be rob of peace. This is true especially for the past 2 months. On one hand my family is preparing for the joy of having a second child. But suddenly in the span of 2 months, everything in my life went downhill. The peace that I was having for the past one year just suddenly disappeared. I suddenly feel so fragile, and my peace can be taken away by just a simple message.

It feels as though the entire world turn tables against me in a single day. When i try to seek comfort anywhere, all I received from all direction is negativity, hostility and I have to defend myself on all direction.

In the midst of this, I prayed, and all the message I receive from God is “Be still, I am the Lord” (Ps 46:10).  Strangely it brought a lot of comfort to me. It seem to me that it is a trial. For on weekends where I need to serve, the amount of troubles for that week seem to decrease, just enough for me to finish my work.

I wonder what’s the lesson to learn behind all these. I am still wondering and I am still looking. But meanwhile in the midst of all these trouble, my earthly joy had indeed faded. It is hard to find the strength to move on, but the hymn seems to comfort a lot.

All I can do now is to plead with God in the same manner like Moses and to make the same request

“So teach us to number our days,
  That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
   Return, O Lord!
  How long?
  And have compassion on Your servants.
   Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
  That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
  Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,
  The years in which we have seen evil.” – Moses (Ps 90:12-15)

Indeed, earth had no resting place, and all that we can do to solve our problem is just limited. We should know that life on earth is short, and we are just perishing things of clay.

But for now, let us just enjoy this hymn together.

Title : Jesus is mine
Lyrics : “Jane C Bonar”"
Tune : “Theodore E Perkins”

Fade, fade, each earthly joy, Jesus is mine!
Break every tender tie, Jesus is mine!
Dark is the wilderness, Earth has no resting place,
Jesus alone can bless, Jesus is mine!

Tempt not my soul away, Jesus is mine!
Here would I ever stay, Jesus is mine!
Perishing things of clay, born but for one brief day,
Pass from my heart away, Jesus is mine!

Farewell, ye dreams of night, Jesus is mine!
Lost in this dawning bright, Jesus is mine!
All that my soul has tried left but a dismal void;
Jesus has satisfied, Jesus is mine!

Farewell, mortality, Jesus is mine!
Welcome, eternity, Jesus is mine!
Welcome, oh, loved and blest, welcome sweet scenes of rest,
Welcome, my Savior’s breast, Jesus is mine!

I found a very nice rendition of the hymn from this user.

 

Lyrics Of 青花瓷 (The Blue And White Porcelain)

Recently I came across an interesting MTV by Jay Chou. It is about a song called 青花瓷 (The Blue And White Porcelain) I find the lyrics very poetic and beautiful, so I decided to share it with you on the blog.

To many of my audience from the west, you would be wondering what is a  blue and white porcelain.  You can take a look at some example of it from the Wikipedia entry here . In ancient times it was a type of porcelain often sought after by traders. It is regarded as an luxury item. I remember once in Brunei I visited the Maritime Museum and among the artefacts recovered from one of the most ancient shipwreck in Brunei bay, it is proven that traders would visit China to buy blue and white porcelain for trade.    Along the coast of Africa, blue and white porcelain plates are often used as ornaments and are regarded as treasures. 

The MTV is very Asian so i will give an synopsis here.

The MTV began in Ancient China, where a woman was captured by bandits and taken prisoner. She was taken captive by the Bandit King and raped. Her lover was a swordsman who fought to save her . He took his precious blue white porcelain vase as ransom for his wife. But as the woman was released, she was killed by the bandit king.  She died in the arms of her lover.

Later the precious antique porcelain was auctioned in the modern era.  The characters in the previous story were reincarnated. But they find themselves fighting over the same porcelain antique once again.  The swordsman decided to let the woman buy the antique. Their love rekindled again, unfortunately the bandit King now a mob boss, he tried to prevent the swordsmen and his lover from running away. This time the swordsman was shot and he died in the arms of his lover.

The lyrics of the song was about the swordsman missing his lover. The song uses the elaborate drawings found within  the porcelain vase as a metaphor to describe the beauty of his lover as well as his longing for her.

Here is the lyrics of the song and its translation

Title: 青花瓷 Artist:  周杰伦 Lyrics : 方文山 Arranged By : 钟兴民	Title:  Blue & White Porcelain Artist:  Jay Chou Lyrics : Fang Wen Shan Arranged By : Zhong Xi Ming
Stanza 1 素胚勾勒出青花 笔锋浓转淡 瓶身描绘的牡丹 一如妳初妆 冉冉檀香透过窗 心事我了然 宣纸上走笔至此 搁一半	Stanza 1 sù pēi​ gōu ​lè​ chū​ qīng ​huā​ bǐ ​fēng​ nóng​ zhuǎn​ dàn​ píng​ shēn​ miáo ​huì​ de​ mǔ ​dan yī ​rú​ nǐ​ chū​ zhuāng​ rǎn​ rǎn​  tán​ xiāng​ tòu ​guò​ chuāng​ xīn ​shì​ wǒ​ liǎo ​rán​ xuān ​zhǐ​ shàng​ zǒu​ bǐ​ zhì ​cǐ​ gé​ yī bàn​
釉色渲染仕女图 韵味被私藏 而妳嫣然的一笑 如含苞待放 妳的美一缕飘散 去到我去不了 的地方	yòu​ sè xuàn ​rǎn​ shì ​nǚ​ tú​ yùn ​wèi​ bèi​ sī ​cáng​ ér nǐ​ yān ​rán​ dì​ yī​ xiào​ rú​ hán ​bāo​ dài ​fàng​ nǐ​ de měi​ yī​ lǚ​ piāo ​sàn qù​ dào​ wǒ ​qù bù​ liǎo de dì​ fāng​
Chorus 天青色等烟雨 而我在等妳 炊烟袅袅升起 隔江千万里 在瓶底书汉隶仿 前朝的飘逸 就当我为遇见 妳伏笔	Chorus tiān​ qīng ​sè​ děng​ yān ​yǔ​ ér​ wǒ​ zài děng​ nǐ​ chuī ​yān​ niǎo ​niǎo​ shēng ​qǐ gé jiāng​ qiān​ Wàn ​lǐ​ zài​ píng dǐ​ shū​ hàn​ lì​ fǎng​ qián ​cháo​ de​ piāo ​yì​ jiù​  dāng wǒ wèi​ yù​ jiàn nǐ fú ​bǐ​
天青色等烟雨 而我在等妳 月色被打捞起 晕开了结局 如传世的青花瓷 自顾自美丽 妳眼带笑意	tiān​ qīng ​sè​ děng​ yān ​yǔ​ ér​ wǒ​ zài děng​ nǐ​ yuè ​sè​ bèi​ dǎ ​lāo​ qǐ​ yùn​ kāi​ liǎo jié ​jú​  rú​ chuán ​shì​ de qīng ​huā ​cí​ zì ​gù ​zì​ měi ​lì​ nǐ yǎn​ dài​ xiào ​yì​
Stanza 2 色白花青的锦鲤 跃然于碗底 临摹宋体落款时 却惦记着妳 妳隐藏在窑烧里 千年的秘密 极细腻犹如 绣花针落地	Stanza 2 sè bái​ huā​ qīng​ de jǐn ​lǐ yuè ​rán​ yú​ wǎn​ dǐ​ lín ​mó​ sòng ​tǐ​ luò ​kuǎn​ shí què​ diàn ​jì​ zhe nǐ​ nǐ​ yǐn ​cáng​ zài yáo shāo​ lǐ qiān​ nián​ de​ mì ​mì​ jí​ xì ​nì​ yóu ​rú​ xiù huā​ zhēn​ luò ​dì​
帘外芭蕉惹骤雨 门环惹铜绿 而我路过那江南 小镇惹了妳 在泼墨山水画里 妳从墨色深处被隐去	lián​ wài​ bā ​jiāo​ rě​ zhòu ​yǔ​ mén ​huán​ rě​ tóng​ lǜ​ ér​ wǒ​ lù ​guò​ nà​ Jiāng ​nán xiǎo​ zhèn​ rě​ le nǐ​ zài​ pō​ mò​ shān ​shuǐ ​huà​ lǐ nǐ​ cóng mò​ sè shēn ​chù​ bèi​ yǐn qù​
Repeat Chorus Twice	Repeat Chorus Twice

 

Here is the English translation

Stanza 1
The plain outlines from the porcelain,  with its strong and weak strokes combined
The peony painted on it is as beautiful as you
The whiff of incense through the window carries worries which i understood
I paused the brush strokes which kept us apart.

The glazing on your portrait hides your beautiful charm. 
But your sweet smile bloom from within like a flower
Your beauty dissipates like smoke 
it entered a place which I cannot follow

Chorus
Within its blue misty drizzle I am waiting for you
Through its spiral smoke & rivers, we are a thousand miles apart
That little stroke at the bottom of that vase
Is a foreshadow of our meeting that is to come

Within its blue misty drizzle I am still waiting for you
As the moon light washes ashore the remnant of our meeting
As our precious porcelain retains her beauty
Your eyes carries your smiles

Stanza 2
A painted white koi came alive at the bottom of the dish
But its ancient inscription were longing for you.
The eons of secrets hidden within the kiln
Remain as silent as a embroidery pin falling

The palm leaves by the curtain stirs up showers, attracting rust on the door knockers
As I pass that little town in Jiang Nan, I  attracted you  
Within the coarse ink of that beautiful landscape painting
You are hidden within the depths of its brushstrokes

Repeat Chorus twice

 

My lyrics were translated with some inspiration taken from Youtube user
RandomMess

My Vietnamese friend may want to check out this translation of the song in Vietnamese

Recently i came across a very nice translation of the song, the Singer manage to successfully capture the spirit of the song even though it is not a direct translation. But I like the feel of the song

 

Lyrics Of “The Homeland Shore”

It had been seem sometimes since I have last written on this blog. Many things had happened between my last post to now.

God had finally sent me away from the first country which I was working overseas in. Now I am living in a difference place, life here is very different and I am still trying hard to adapt. In the midst of all this, there was a huge mix of joy , sadness, pain, helplessness, anxiety and unknown.

It is exactly as how God told me 6 years ago.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, when
  you were younger, you girded yourself
  and walked where you wished; but
  when you are old, you will stretch out
  your hands, and another will gird you
  and carry you where you do not wish.”- Jesus (Jn 21:18)

In the midst of all these my little boy came into the world, he brought us much joy and much adjustment. While we are barely trying to adjust to our new lives here and our new born. Then we received the news that the child’s great grandmother had passed away.

It appears as if God allowed him to come one month early so that he could say hello to her, and God kept her alive so that she could see her great grandson before allowing her to rest in the Lord. The day before she passed we keep reminding her that one day we will all meet before the Lord. She is only going a while before us.

A Christian only feel sadness in a funeral. We do not mourn in despair, we only grieve because we are temporarily separated from our loved ones. We cannot bear not being able to see them and talk to them right now. But we know that one day, when Christ comes, we will all be gathered before him and we would be together forever.

For God once told us through Paul as he wrote 1 Thessalonians

“For if we believe that Jesus died and
  rose again, even so God will bring
  with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
   ^……
  For the Lord Himself will descend
  from heaven with a shout, with the
  voice of an archangel, and with the
  trumpet of God. And the dead in
  Christ will rise first.
  Then we who are alive and remain
  shall be caught up together with
  them in the clouds to meet the
  Lord in the air. And thus we shall always
  be with the Lord”- Paul (1 Thess 4:14,16-17)

That is how Christians ought to remember about death. While we mourn for our love ones, let us not despair, for they are safe in the homeland shore. In the arms in the Lord.

That is why I would like to dedicate this hymn to my granny. It is by Fanny Crosby and it is titled the Home Land Shore. I would always remember the little children songs she taught me to sing in Teochew, how she always patted me to sleep and taken care of me when I was a kid.

I have arranged the hymn in the way that is often sung at church. So its arrangement may differ from the original slightly.

 

Title : Home Land Shore
Lyrics : Fanny Crosby
Tune : Stephen Foster (In tune of Swanee River)

Far, far beyond the storms that gather
Dark o’er our way.
There shines the light of joy eternal
Bright in the realms of day,

Far, far beyond rolling billows
Faith spreads her wings;
Love tells us of the golden City,
Hope of its glory sings. [Refrain]

Refrain:
There shall be sorrow, pain, and parting
Grieve our hearts no more;
Soon, soon we’ll meet beyond the river,
Safe on the Homeland shore.

Far, far beyond the vale and shadow
Loved ones have passed;
We’ll meet them in the “many mansions,”
All gathered home at last.

O blessed morn of joy unbounded!
O glorious day!
There every tear of grief and anguish
Jesus shall wipe away. [Refrain]

 

 

Lyrics of “Hold Thou My Hand”

As it was my custom since 2010, I would specially post a hymn on the 3rd may of the year.  3rd may had always been a special day in my life.

So far I have shared the following hymns

What A Friend I have In Jesus” – May 3rd 2010
“Thanks to God” – May 3rd 2011
“Day By Day” – May 3rd 2012
“All The Way The Savior Leads Me” – May 3rd 2013
“Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer” – May 3rd 2014
”Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” – May 3rd 2015

This year as the day draw nears. I find myself singing the tune of “Hold Thou My Hand”. It is a hymn written by the famous hymn writer Fanny Crosby.  Interestingly 2 of the hymns in my list were written by the same author. “Day By Day” and “All The Way The Savior Leads me.”

I did a research on this hymn but not much is said about it. Except for a quite from Fanny Crosby herself

“For a num­ber of days be­fore I wrote this hymn,
  all had seemed dark to me. That was in­deed an
  un­usu­al ex­per­ience, for I have al­ways been
  most cheer­ful; and so in my hu­man weak­ness
  I cried in pray­er, ‘Dear Lord, hold thou my hand.’
  Al­most at once the sweet peace that comes of
  per­fect as­sur­ance re­turned to my heart, and
  my gra­tit­ude for this ev­i­dence of an­swered
  pray­er sang it­self in the lines of the hymn.“ -Fanny Crosby

I believe I am experiencing the same dark usual experience just like her. When I first wrote in 2010, I was sent by God to serve in a place, and now 6 years have passed. I believe this is the last year I am staying here and God had moved me to a new place which I planned to reach by mid of July. Interestingly, I began working in this country exactly on the mid of July 2010. It seems fairly normal that God would want me to go over there and start a new life on the mid of July 2016 (that will mean I have stayed 6 years exactly)

The place I am going to is a place where I am very unsure of, But God had already told me that I have to move out a long time ago. Once I completed the lessons that I need to learn here, God will open the way and send me to the place he wants me to go.  Indeed it is a place where I would not have expected to go, so that feeing of uneasiness is there.

As I was taking the time to say goodbye to my friends here. I cant help humming the tune of this hymn now. It seems that I need the Lord to hold my hand as I begin this new phase of life. I hope that GOd would indeed hold my hand and guide me as the day approaches. I find the verse that inspired the hymn extremely comforting for the Psalmist Asaph said

“Nevertheless I am continually with You;
  You hold me by my right hand.
  You will guide me with Your counsel,
  And afterward receive me to glory.

  Whom have I in heaven but You?
  And there is none upon earth that
  I desire besides You. 
  My flesh and my heart fail;
  But God is the strength of my heart
  and my portion forever.” – Asaph (Ps 73 :23-26

I guess we all need to remember that even though our flesh and heart may fail, God will continually be the strength of our heart and our portion forever. May God continue to guide me in this new journey ahead

Title : Hold Thou My Hand 
Lyrics : Fanny Crosby
Music : Hubert P Main

Hold Thou my hand; so weak I am, and helpless,
I dare not take one step without Thy aid;
Hold Thou my hand; for then, O loving Savior,
No dread of ill shall make my soul afraid.

Hold Thou my hand, and closer, closer draw me
To Thy dear self—my hope, my joy, my all;
Hold Thou my hand, lest haply I should wander,
And, missing Thee, my trembling feet should fall.

Hold Thou my hand; the way is dark before me
Without the sunlight of Thy face divine;
But when by faith I catch its radiant glory,
What heights of joy, what rapturous songs are mine!

Hold Thou my hand, that when I reach the margin
Of that lone river Thou didst cross for me,
A heavenly light may flash along its waters,
And every wave like crystal bright shall be.

This tune only have 3 stanza, but its very nicely played

 

Lyrics Of “我是谁？”

This blog post came as a result of a request from the user Lis P. who posted a comment on my blog entry Lyrics of 男儿当自强

The request is for the translation of a movie theme song sang by Jackie Chan titled “Who Am I?”. It was quite difficult to find but I managed to find the lyrics after a month of googling and baidu searches.

In the quest of the search I found a few interesting fact about the song. The lyrics, one of which is  that the song was actually written and composed by a famous Taiwanese Singer Emil Chau.  I believe Emil was a friend of Jackie as he  made cameo appearance in some of his movies

The role of the post is not to provide a critique to the movie. I would just drop information details about the movie to help readers understand the lyrics better.

A Quick Introduction to the Movie

“Who am I?” was a comedy film by Jackie Chan. Like in all of his shows, it features interesting car stunts and daredevil stunt sequences.

The story is about a multinational military unit which was sent to ambush a convey and kidnaps several scientist working on a meteorite.   The unit was eventually double crossed by their commander after the mission. Their helicopter was sabotaged and the unit died in the helicopter crash.

One of the member survived , he was saved by a African tribe and he awoke with an amnesia. Unsure of his name, he called himself “Who Am I”. Later on he stayed among the natives and learnt their customs.

Later on he rescued a rally driver from a snake bite, and help the team win the rally championship. While his commander realise that there was a survivor from the helicopter crash. They went on to try to kill him.

Eventually he managed to track down the commander to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. After much fight and difficulties, he managed to help the CIA capture that rogue commander.

The song lyrics is mainly about the main character singing about himself not being sure who he really is.  The background music featured a tribal music, tribal drums and chants due to the fact that the main character was stuck in the African desert and living among the African tribesmen  for some time.

Interestingly i notice a lot of word play in the lyrics. Unfortunately those word play cannot be successfully translated into English. At the same time the lyrics can be quite a tongue twister if you try to read it  aloud.
And I believe i heard Emil Chau’s voice at some part of the song.

Nonetheless here is the Lyrics and their Hanyu Pinyin

Title: 我是谁 Lyrics : 陈没、周华健 Sang by: 周华健, 成龙	Title: Who Am I? Lyrics : Chen She, Emil Chau Sang by: Emil Chau, Jackie Chan
(Stanza 1) 昏天暗地 这里到底是那里 要住哪里走 要往那里去 滚滚风沙 混沌中我是谁 还要怎么追 还要怎么退 昨天我是谁？今天谁是我？ 耕过耘过 得过且过 来过去过 谁是我是谁 我是谁是我 是过非过 现在的我不是我	(Stanza 1) hūn​ tiān​ àn dì​ , zhè​ lǐ​ dào ​dǐ​ shì​ nà ​li​? yào​ wǎng​ nǎ ​lǐ​ zǒu​, yào​ wǎng​ nà ​li​ qù​? Gǔn​ gǔn​ fēng ​shā​ hùn , dùn​ zhōng​ wǒ​ shì shéi​ hái​​ yào​ zěn ​me​ zhuī​, hái​​ yào​ zěn ​me​ tuì​ zuó​ tiān​ wǒ​ shì​ shéi​? jīn ​tiān​ shéi​ shì​ wǒ​ ? ēng guò​ yún​ guò, dé ​guò ​qiě ​guò​, lái​ guò ​qu​ guò​ shéi​ shì​ wǒ​ shì​ shéi​, wǒ​ shì​ shéi​ shì​ wǒ​ shì  guò​ fēi​ guò, ​ xiàn ​zài​ de wǒ  bù​ shì​ wǒ​
(Stanza 2) 茫茫大雾看不见是谁非谁 昨天南到北 明天怎么追？ 茫茫大地真想不出是过非过 今天行到北 最好不爱谁 昨天我是谁？今天谁是我？ 笑过哭过 不是只我 何必是 我谁是我是谁 我是谁是我 是过非过 现在的我不是我	(Stanza 2) máng​ máng​ dà ​wù​ kàn ​bu ​jiàn​ shì​ shéi​ fēi ​shéi zuó​ tiān​ nán​ dào​ běi​, míng ​tiān​ zěn ​me​ zhuī​？ máng ​máng​ dà ​dì​ zhēn​ xiǎng​ bù​ chū​ shì​ guò​ fēi​  guò​ jīn​ tiān​ xíng​ dào​ běi​. zuì ​hǎo​ bù​ ài​ shéi​ zuó​ tiān​ wǒ​ shì​ shéi​？ jīn​tiān shéi​ shì​ wǒ​？ xiào​ guò​ kū​ guò, bù ​shì​ zhī​ wǒ​, hé ​bì​ shì​ wǒ​ shéi​ shì​ wǒ​ shì​ shéi​, wǒ​ shì​ shéi​ shì​ wǒ​​ shì​ guò​ fēi​ guò, xiàn ​zài​ de​ wǒ​ bù ​shì​ wǒ​

As requested. the translation is as follows

(stanza 1 )

In the dark I awoke, where I right now?

Where should I go now? Where shall I head to?

In midst of sandstorm and chaos,  I do not know who I really am.

How should I pursue? How should I retreat?

Who am I yesterday? Who am I today?

As time past, I muddle through and I have came and go

Who am I? Who am I?   
Is it fault or blessing that my current self isn’t me?

(stanza 2 )

Among the thick fog I cannot make out who he is

I travelled south to north, where shall i pursue tomorrow?

Among the vast land I cannot figure if this a blessings or curse

Today I travel north, its better to love nobody

Who am I yesterday? Who am I today?

I have smiled and cried, and its not only me and why should it be me?

Who am I? Who am I?   
Is it fault or blessing that my current self isn’t me?

I have found only one youtube containing the song

I have found Emil Chau singing an English version of this song on youtube as well

 

Lyrics Of 涙そうそう (Tearful)

Recently, the Chinese version of this song keep coming to my mind. I remember that the original tune was Japanese. So I went to look for the background of the song. The original singer of the song is a lady known as Rimi Natsukawa. She was from Okinawa and she is best known for her 2001 single. 涙そうそう. The song title is taken from an Okinawan phase meaning "large tears are falling" 

The tune sound like a folk song and part of the song is played using Shamisen. The song was originally written by a Band called Begin for a singer known as Ryoko Moriyama. But it was Rimi Natsukawa’s version that is more popular.

The song reminded Moriyama of her older brother who died. The lyrics is talking about a person who was flipping through an old photo album looking at the picture of someone who died. She  was thankful to them for they have encouraged her often. It expresses a hope that they will meet again some day. The thought of it reminds me of the many funerals I have attended.

Interestingly, as a Christian we often comfort the bereaved family during the memorial service telling them that one day we would meet the departed again when we are gathered before the Lord. In fact Christian funerals are meant to remind the bereave that their departed had ended their work on earth and now there is a crown of life waiting for them. While we remember the sad for we are unable to see our departed for some time. But we know that this separation is temporary.  For we know we will meet them once again during resurrection.

Paul reminds us  so that we would not be overcome by grieve

“But I do not want you
  to be ignorant, brethren,
  concerning those who have
  fallen asleep, lest you sorrow
  as others who have no hope.
  For if we believe that Jesus
  died and rose again, even so
  God will bring with Him those 
  who sleep in Jesus
 
  For the Lord Himself will descend
  from heaven with a shout, with
  the voice of an archangel, and
  with the trumpet of God. And
  the dead in Christ will rise first.

  Then we who are alive and remain
  shall be caught up together with
  them in the clouds to meet the
  Lord in the air. And thus we shall
  always be with the Lord.
  Therefore comfort one another
  with these words.” – Paul (1 Thess 4:13-15,16-18)

Therefore even though it is sad to see a loved one departing from us. But Christians will always have the hope of meeting them again at the feet of Jesus.

As I do not have expertise in Japanese language I just edited some part of the English translation slightly. .Kanji lyrics & Roumaji lyrics and English translation from
http://www.jpopasia.com/lyrics/9249/rimi-natsukawa/nada-sou-sou.html

 

Title: 涙そうそう Nada sou sou Artist: 夏川りみ Rimi Natsukawa	Title : Tearful Artist: Rimi Natsukawa
Stanza 1
古いアルバムめくり Furui ARUBAMU mekuri ありがとうってつぶやいた Arigatou tte tsubuyaita	As I Flip through an old photo album I whispered "Thank you" softly in my heart
いつもいつも胸の中 Itsumo itsumo mune no naka 励ましてくれる人よ Hagemashite kureru hito yo	To the one who is in my heart Who is always there for me
晴れ渡る日も雨の日も Hare wataru hi mo ame no hi mo 浮かぶあの笑顔 Ukabu ano egao	On clear days , on rainy days I  think of your smile
想い出遠くあせても Omoide tooku asete mo おもかげ探して Omokage sagashite よみがえる日は涙(なだ)そうそう Yomigaeru hi wa nada sousou	Though my memories fade into the distance I’ll look for the traces you left behind And remember you with my endless stream of tears
Stanza 2
一番星に祈る Ichiban hoshi ni inoru それが私のくせになり Sore ga watashi nokuse ni nari	I pray to the first star in the night. It’s become a habit of mine
夕暮れに見上げる空 Yuugure ni miageru sora 心いっぱいあなた探す Kokoro ippai anata sagasu	Looking up at the evening sky And searching for you with all my heart
悲しみにも喜びにも Kanashimi ni mo yorokobi ni mo 思うあの笑顔 Omou ano egao	It sadness , in happiness I think of your smile
あなたの場所から私が Anata no basho kara watashi ga 見えたらきっといつか Mietara kitto itsuka 会えると信じ生きてゆく Aeru to shinji ikite yuku	If you can see me from where you are Then I’ll live on Believing that we’ll meet again someday
Stanza 3
晴れ渡る日も雨の日も Hare wataru hi mo ame no hi mo 浮かぶあの笑顔 Ukabua no egao	On clear days , on rainy days I think of your smile
想い出遠くあせても Omoide tooku asete mo	Though my memories fade into the distance
さみしくて恋しくて Samishikute koishikute 君への想い涙そうそう Kimi e no omoi nada sousou	Its lonely without you I am yearning for you As I think of of you with my endless stream of tears
会いたくて会いたくて Aitakute aitakute 君への想い涙そうそう Kimi e no omoi nada sousou	I miss you, if only we could meet – As I think of of you with my endless stream of tears

I found the M

I found an original clip featuring Ryoko Moriyama