Blackie's Wake

I SURRENDER

As she stood at the door with the kids and her pride

He left for the war a gun by his side

She never could’ve known it was their last embrace

She'd soon be a widow livin’ on the good Lord’s grace

Gathered her strength and faced all her fears

Dressed the kids for church ‘n wiped away the tears

Determined she studied and became a nurse

And gave what she had on Sundays at church

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

She would ever love and trust Him

In His presence she daily lived

As her grandchildren stood by the old fireplace

They’d sing for quarters and the smile on her face

As the music would end ‘n just about time for bed

She’d ask for one more song then rest her weary head

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

She would ever love and trust Him

In His presence she daily lived

As tears fill her eyes she’d twist their wedding band

And the pain in her heart was all she could stand

‘N in her final breath to his memory she clinged

‘N the angels brought her comfort, she could hear them singin’

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

She would ever love and trust Him

In His presence she daily lived

As she stood at the door with the kids and her pride

He left for the war a gun by his side

INSPIRATION

Some stories of loss and survival shape the way we view strength. "I Surrender" follows a young war widow who faced unimaginable grief, raised her children against the odds, and built a life rooted in community, family, and an unwavering faith in God.

Decades later, as she reaches the end of her own journey, her final moments bring her full circle, clinging to her husband’s memory and hearing the angels sing.

This lyric is inspired by my Grandmother (Nan), who loved to hear her grandchildren sing hymns by the fireplace, so much so that she paid us in quarters. ;-)

In my late teens and early 20s, I spent many hours at the piano, playing and singing gospel music. Among my absolute favorites was "I Surrender All," written in 1896 by Judson W. Van DeVenter with music composed by Winfield S. Weeden. Needless to say when writing a lyric inspired by my Nan's faith, this classic hymn wove its way into the heart of it all.

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