I think it was 1981 when first wrote this song. Like a lot of others, it started life as something different, a song called ‘Like a tree’. I didn’t keep the original words, but I think the general idea was that I want to be like a tree (a bit like Psalm 1, & ‘We shall not be moved’). For whatever reason I completely rewrote the words, didn’t think much of it, put it in a folder in a cupboard & forgot about it. In 1987, Dorothy asked what happened to that song. So it was resurrected, went into ‘All Together Everybody’, & has had a happy life since then!
It’s a good song to use during Advent. It’s hopeful, confident that peace will come, despite appearances to the contrary. It’s also somewhat before its time in seeing all of creation receiving the peace promised to us.
1. There'll be peace,
peace for every woman, every man,
stillness on the waters, on the land, on the land.
2. When he comes,
everything will harmonise again,
hatred will be gone, we will be friends, only friends.
There'll be peace on the earth below,
and in the sky above flies the dove.
There'll be peace for the stars that shine,
for the rocks and hills, yes there will.
3. Bring your peace,
peace that started when you gave your life,
bursting from the grave to end the strife, end the strife.
Bring your peace to the earth below,
paint the sky above with your love.
Bring your peace, take our hate away,
give us peaceful ways, peaceful ways.
4. Won't you come,
Jesus, Prince of Peace, oh make it soon,
come and sing your everlasting tune, peaceful tune.
There'll be peace
Like all of God's gifts, peace is something we look forward to in the new world, but also ask God to make it a reality in this old world right now
