Freedom's Journey

I am touched by the words to this song, "Distant Land" by John Rutter.

This song was written in 1990, soon after the demolition of the Berlin Wall and the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.

I see a distant land; it shines so clear.
Sometimes it seems so far, sometimes so near.
Come, join together, take the dusty road.
Help one another; share the heavy load.

The journey may be long; no end in sight.
There may be hills to climb, or giants to fight.
But if you'll take my hand, we'll walk together toward the land of freedom.
Freedom.



I hear a distant song; it fills the air.
I hear it, deep and strong, rise up in prayer:
'O Lord, we are many; help us to be one.
'Heal our divisions; let thy will be done.'

I know the time will come when war must cease;
A time of truth and love, a time of peace.
The people cry, 'How long till all our world can join the song of freedom?'
Freedom.



I touch a distant hand and feel its glow,
The hand I hoped was there; at last I know.
Swords into plow-shares; can it all come true?
Friends out of strangers; start with me and you.

I see another time, another place
Where we can all be one, one human race.
The walls will melt away, we'll come together on the day of freedom.
Freedom, Freedom.