Together Loving: A Perfect Day Warwick Allen Sunday, 1 June 2014
Before light Rooster's asleep As close to silence as this home knows I walk a well-trodden path To a sacred rendezvous That hidden place
My ears are open My tongue is loosed And I commune Deeply Undoubtedly Beautifully
With my Soul Lover My Big Brother My Redeemer The Reliever Of my care, all my fear My Dearest Dad My Provider My Path Finder And I hear, I always hear
—
The rooster crows The sun breaks through Unveiling the glory of the new New day, new move God is here
I join with giants of the faith Together we invite Jesus to build His church We exalt We petition We hear We know The Kingdom of God has come And is coming To this place
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Breakfast is a group affair My wife, children and our new family Sisters, aunties, brothers, uncles And our children in the Lord
Talk is vibrant, buzzing Miracles of yesterday Expectations for today Of studies and sabbaticals Of triumphs in the battles
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A day of walking, meeting Praying, eating Teaching, living Together loving
A day of experiencing God leading, revealing Equipping and healing
A day in which the Spirit of the Lord works through us As He proclaims good news to the poor Freedom for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind As He sets the oppressed free And outworks the day of the Lord's favour
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With evening comes celebration Of life and togetherness We have a feast And all are welcome Merriment and thanksgiving Eating, laughing Together loving
Dinner ate, dishes done The instruments come The singing starts The King is exalted By joyous and thankful hearts
A time for teaching follows For sharing lessons learned And a time for interceding Laying before the Lord each other's burden
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At the conclusion Of a day that saw Mountains thrown into the sea Sleep comes quickly It's restful and peaceful And always sufficient Such that I'm fully equipped To meet the challenges And to do the work Of the coming day
[Verse 1] Me plus you, that makes two So two we'll be: you plus me. What'll we do, us who are two? We'll cross the sea, and go to Italy! Vino Italiano for me and you.
[Verse 2] What'll be there, how will we fare Two who are one, under the Roman sun? I know not my dear, but this I'll share: No ill will come, where'er we run. There's naught to fear, for we're in the care Of Father, Ghost and Son—Three who are One! So let's go, let us dare, me with my lady fair.
The song employs a five-verse structure with a bridge, creating an
extended narrative arc that mirrors the journey it describes. The
consistent refrain "As we walk, together, forever" functions as
both a musical anchor and thematic touchstone, reinforcing the central
metaphor of life as a shared pilgrimage. The addition of the bridge
between verses three and four creates a crucial pivot point, introducing
uncertainty before resolving into divine guidance.
Thematic Development
The lyrics demonstrate a sophisticated progression from the purely
personal to the transcendent. The opening verses establish a covenant
between two individuals through imperative language ("Take my
heart," "Make a start"), evolving into reciprocal
partnership ("Let me lead," "Let me follow"). This
human-centred foundation then expands to encompass divine relationship in
verse four, where "the Christ" becomes the focal point of their
shared journey.
The bridge serves as a theological and literary hinge, acknowledging the
fundamental uncertainty of human experience ("The walk uncertain /
The road unknown") whilst affirming providential guidance. This
tension between doubt and faith reflects a mature spirituality that
acknowledges life’s ambiguities whilst maintaining trust in divine
direction.
Metaphorical Framework
The central metaphor of walking functions on multiple levels: the literal
act of two people moving together, the metaphorical journey of a romantic
relationship, and the spiritual pilgrimage of faith. The progression from
"take a step" to "this walk of ours" to "a new
road through eternity" creates an expanding temporal scope that
encompasses both immediate commitment and eschatological hope.
The shift from "road" in the early verses to "path" in
the bridge, then back to "road" in the final verse, suggests
different qualities of the journey—roads being constructed and travelled
by many, whilst paths suggest more intimate, personal routes requiring
guidance.
Religious and Romantic Integration
The lyrics navigate the complex intersection of romantic love and
religious devotion with remarkable sophistication. Rather than treating
these as competing loyalties, the text presents them as mutually
reinforcing. The romantic commitment gains depth and permanence through
its grounding in shared faith, whilst religious devotion finds expression
through committed partnership.
The capitalised "Christ" and "Lord" in verse four mark
a theological declaration, but one that emerges organically from the
relational foundation established earlier. This integration suggests that
human love, properly understood, points beyond itself to divine love.
Temporal Dimensions
The song’s treatment of time moves from present commitment through
future uncertainty to eternal perspective. The final verse’s
paradox—"When it ends, this walk of ours / It will have only just
begun"—employs eschatological imagery that transforms temporal
limitation into infinite possibility. The phrase "through
eternity" elevates the relationship beyond mortal constraints whilst
maintaining its essential character as a shared journey.
Language and Tone
The diction remains accessible whilst avoiding sentimentality. The
repeated use of "Let" constructions creates a tone of invitation
rather than demand, suggesting mutual submission rather than dominance.
The simple, direct language mirrors the straightforward commitment being
described, whilst the religious terminology in verse four maintains
reverence without lapsing into archaic formality.
Conclusion
These lyrics succeed in creating a unified vision of romantic and
spiritual commitment that avoids the pitfalls of either secular
romanticism or disembodied spirituality. The walking metaphor provides
coherence whilst allowing for growth and development. The result is a text
that functions effectively as both popular song and contemporary hymn,
speaking to couples seeking to ground their relationship in shared faith
whilst remaining accessible to broader audiences.
