Pause for Reflection 29 January 2021 My chosen track this week is probably my favourite of all the songs by Mike

Rutherford. It is called ”The Living In the living years Years” and was written in collaboration with B.A. Robertson, a reasonably well- known Scots performer in the 80s. “I wish we had sorted that out… Both Rutherford and Robertson had “I wish we had talked that through to a lost their fathers in 1986 during the conclusion… writing process of the song. As a result of this, the song is a very personal one “I wish we had cleared the air.. for them and the lyrics are based on “I wish we had spoken more… Robertson’s true life story. “I wish we had not been so stubborn.. Robertson’s father passed away at a time when he and Robertson were not “I wish we had just acted like grown-ups speaking to each other. The song also and not bairns… talks about the birth of Robertson’s son “I regret not taking the initiative.. which occurred about three months after his father’s passing. “I wish I’d swallowed my pride… The young boy in the music video (which I encourage you to find and How often, I wonder, have we said or watch on YouTube) is Rutherford’s son thought some or all of those words Tom who was then 8 years old. above? The lead vocalist on the song is Paul I’m pretty sure that all of us, at some Carrack, who also at some point in his time or other, have regretted not life lost his father in a tragic accident at clearing the air, not trying to fix a broken work. relationship or not clearing up a trivial The song was released on December misunderstanding which, having been 27th, 1988 as the second single from left to fester, has grown into an almost the band’s second studio album titled insurmountable problem. Living Years. Such feelings become all the more The melody of this track is beautifully intense when we realise that it is too emotive in itself, but when combined late to try to redeem the situation when with the wonderful lyrics it creates a someone involved in it has died and truly memorable and insightful piece passed away from us. which cannot fail (I hope) to make you This is the theme of my chosen CD think and contemplate. track this week. It is the final one I have So as you read through these lyrics chosen by Mike and the Mechanics (but below (and I would strongly encourage not the final choice in the letter “M” in you to find a YouTube video and listen my continuing alphabetical journey to the song too) I hope you are inspired across my CD shelves!) to pause and reflect! "The Living Years" So we open up a quarrel Every generation Between the present and the past Blames the one before We only sacrifice the future And all of their frustrations It's the bitterness that lasts Come beating on your door So don't yield to the fortunes I know that I'm a prisoner You sometimes see as fate To all my Father held so dear It may have a new perspective I know that I'm a hostage On a different date To all his hopes and fears And if you don't give up, and don't give in you may just be O.K. I just wish I could have told him in the living years I wasn't there that morning Crumpled bits of paper When my Father passed away Filled with imperfect thought I didn't get to tell him Stilted conversations All the things I had to say I'm afraid that's all we've got I think I caught his spirit Later that same year You say you just don't see it I'm sure I heard his echo He says it's perfect sense In my baby's new born tears You just can't get agreement I just wish I could have told him in the living years In this present tense

We all talk a different language Say it loud, say it clear Talking in defence You can listen as well as you hear

It's too late when we die Say it loud, say it clear To admit we don't see eye to eye You can listen as well as you hear

It's too late when we die ------OOOOOOOOOO------To admit we don't see eye to eye

For me, the most intense and 8 Find out for yourself how good the meaningful part of this whole song is Lord is. Happy are those who find the repeated refrain… safety with him. 9 Honor the Lord, all his people; those Say it loud, say it clear who obey him have all they need. 10 Even lions go hungry for lack of You can listen as well as you hear food, but those who obey the Lord lack It's too late when we die nothing good. 11 Come, my young friends, and listen To admit we don't see eye to eye to me, and I will teach you to honor the Lord. Do those words ring true in your life? 12 Would you like to enjoy life? Do you I certainly find them challenging and want long life and happiness? encouraging at one and the same time 13 Then keep from speaking evil and – much as I find many passages in the from telling lies. Bible. 14 Turn away from evil and do good; strive for peace with all your heart. 15 The Lord watches over the righteous and listens to their cries; I have often referred to my enjoyment of 16 but he opposes those who do evil, the Book of Psalms and told of how I so that when they die, they are soon regularly turn to the Psalms for comfort, forgotten. for reassurance, for guidance and for 17 The righteous call to the Lord, and challenge. So it is then that this week I he listens; he rescues them from all have chosen Psalm 34 as my Bible their troubles. reading. 18 The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have Psalm 34 lost all hope. 19 Good people suffer many troubles, In praise of God’s goodness but the Lord saves them from them 1. I will always thank the Lord; I will all; never stop praising him. 20 the Lord preserves them 2 I will praise him for what he has completely; not one of their bones is done; may all who are oppressed broken. listen and be glad! 21 Evil will kill the wicked; those who 3 Proclaim with me the Lord's hate the righteous will be punished. greatness; let us praise his name 22 The Lord will save his people; those together! who go to him for protection will be 4 I prayed to the Lord, and he spared. answered me; he freed me from all my fears. Amen 5 The oppressed look to him and are glad; they will never be disappointed. 6 The helpless call to him, and he answers; he saves them from all their ------OOOOOOO------troubles.

7 His angel guards those who honor the Lord and rescues them from danger.

My chosen hymn this week is Hymn I find the final two lines of verse 2 to be 725, “Today I live”. I especially like the very apposite for this week’s reflection. instruction in the hymn book above the “but save me, God, from thoughts music where it states that lay me low, from morbid fears “unison - confidently” that freeze my powers of reason.” Hymn 725 ------OOOOOOO------1 Today I live, but once shall come my Let us pray. death; Dear Lord , we ask for your strength, one day shall still my laughter and my your wisdom, and your guidance to help crying, us as we navigate our way through life. We especially seek your support this bring to a halt my heart-beat and my day to help us tackle those difficult breath: conversations, help us resolve those God, give me faith for living and for long-put-off problems and help us dying. address those trivial arguments which have been the cause of so much 2 How I shall die, or when, I do not unnecessary pain and heartache. know, Guide us, dear Lord to an nor where - for endless is the world's understanding of the importance of horizon; loving one another in the present so that we do not sacrifice the future. Be but save me, God, from thoughts that with us Lord as we endeavour to listen lay me low, as well as we hear and give us the from morbid fears that freeze my strength and determination to say it powers of reason. loud and say it clear in the living years! 3 When earthly life shall close, as close Amen it must, Benediction let Jesus be my brother and my merit. “May the grace of the Lord Jesus be Let me without regret recall the past with everyone” then, God, into your hands commit my ------OOOOOOOOO------spirit. 4 Meanwhile I live and move and I am Until next week when I will still be on the glad, letter “M” but will have moved on to enjoy this life and all its interweaving; another artist, Van Morrison, keep safe and try to “say it loud and say it clear in each given day, as I take up the thread, the living years!” let love suggest my mode, my mood of living. Alistair Session Clerk B/P 29/1/2021