The Old Country Church
Sanctuary of Joy: Rediscovering Faith and Friendship in The Old Country Church
Lyrics
There's a place near to me
Expresses proximity to a special place.
Where I'm longing to be
Desire and yearning to be in that place.
With my friends at the old country church
Anticipation of being with friends at an old country church.
There with mother we went
Recollection of going there with mother.
And our Sundays were spent
Description of how Sundays were spent with friends at the church.
With our friends at the old country church
Reiteration of the joy in being with friends at the old country church.
As a small country boy
Reflects on childhood joy as a small country boy.
How my heart beat with joy
Expresses the intense joy felt during moments of prayer.
When I knelt in the old country church
Describes the act of kneeling in the old country church.
And the Savior above, by His wonderful love
Attributes soul salvation to the Savior's wonderful love.
Saved my soul at the old country church
Specific mention of salvation at the old country church.
How I wish that today all
Expresses a wish for contemporary prayer practices.
The people would pray
Comparison of present-day prayer to past practices.
As we prayed in the old country church
Encouragement for people to pray as they did in the old country church.
If they'd only confess
Emphasizes the blessing that Jesus would bestow upon confession.
Jesus surely would bless
Reference to blessings in the old country church through confession.
As he did in the old country church
Empty line, possibly emphasizing a pause or reflection.
Of't my thoughts make me weep
Mention of weeping thoughts for those who have passed away.
For so many now sleep
Reference to the deceased resting near the old country church.
In their graves near the old country church
Reflection on potential resting place in the future.
And sometime I may rest
Anticipation of resting with beloved friends in the old country church's vicinity.
With the friends I love best
Empty line, possibly emphasizing a pause or reflection.
In a grave near the old country church
Recollection of precious memories associated with the old country church.
Precious years of memories
Reiteration of the joy brought by precious memories.
Oh what joy they bring to me
Parenthetical note emphasizing the joyous impact of memories.
(they bring to me)
Empty line, possibly emphasizing a pause or reflection.
How I long once more to be
Expresses a strong longing to be with friends at the old country church.
With my friends at the old country church
Final reiteration of the desire to be with friends at the old country church.
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