THE SUPPERTIME
Pic.: Chetna Shetty
Martin Luther King Jr. had his favorites…
Tagore had his own…
Yes, you and I have our own…
In the midst of the worst of my moments,
and in the thick of my confusion, often, I go back to some of my favorite hymns…
I do not need to be in a cathedral for it… I do not need an altar or a choir
around me… All that I need is my quiet space… all by myself… with the load of all
my problems and confusion weighing over my head… and, my favorite hymn sung by
one of my favorite singers…
Today, it was ‘Suppertime’… the timeless
hymn sung by legendary bass singer, George Younce. This version, particularly,
moved me to tears… and made me soar with confidence… because, it was so amazingly
performed by him on stage despite his fragile health conditions (heart and kidney)…
Just watch at the playful spirit of the man… Just listen to the might of his
voice, his talent…Just feel the life he puts into his craft… yes, till the last
days of his life!
And, when I saw the young singers around
him – probably half a century younger than he was – going on their knees to
sing along, my heart stopped!
In September, 2004, George Younce made
his final stage appearance. It was as a surprise guest at a Bill Gaither event
in Cleveland. There, he sang his signature song, the magical ‘Suppertime’ –
yes, one for the last time… And, to the spell-bound packed audience, he said: “Should
the Master come tonight, I’m packed and ready to go.”
George Younce, the one of his kind, the
legend, died on April, 11, 2005. He was 75. Over 1,500 people attended his
funeral, where the finest singers sang to pay their tribute to the tallest of
them all. Bill Gaither’s (a legend himself and who held George as his Hero) wife,
Gloria, paid her touching homage:
“He taught us to laugh until you cry,
live until you’re free... and not to save face, but save relationships.”
So, here are the lyrics and here is the
song, the hymn - ‘Suppertime’… and, here is my own tribute… to the man, the talent…
the legend. GEORGE WILSON YOUNCE.
When I was but a boy in days of childhood
I used to play till evening shadows come.
Then winding down an old familiar pathway
I heard my mother call at set of sun
Come home, come home
It's supper time
The shadows lengthen fast.
Come home, come home,
It's supper time
We're going home at last.
One day beside her bedside I was kneeling,
And angel wings were winnowing through the air.
She heard her call for supper time in heaven
And now I know she's waiting for me there.
Come home, come home
It's supper time
The shadows lengthen fast.
Come home, come home,
It's supper time,
We're going home at last.
In visions now I see her standing yonder,
And her familiar voice I hear once more.
The banquet table's ready up in heaven,
It's supper time upon that golden shore.
Come home, come home
It's supper time,
The shadows lengthen fast.
Come home, come home,
It's supper time,
We're going home at last.
We're going home at last.
I used to play till evening shadows come.
Then winding down an old familiar pathway
I heard my mother call at set of sun
Come home, come home
It's supper time
The shadows lengthen fast.
Come home, come home,
It's supper time
We're going home at last.
One day beside her bedside I was kneeling,
And angel wings were winnowing through the air.
She heard her call for supper time in heaven
And now I know she's waiting for me there.
Come home, come home
It's supper time
The shadows lengthen fast.
Come home, come home,
It's supper time,
We're going home at last.
In visions now I see her standing yonder,
And her familiar voice I hear once more.
The banquet table's ready up in heaven,
It's supper time upon that golden shore.
Come home, come home
It's supper time,
The shadows lengthen fast.
Come home, come home,
It's supper time,
We're going home at last.
We're going home at last.
GERALD D’CUNHA
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