1-May-2002
游唱者之歌
最近突然很想学弹吉它，只为了能够弹唱这一首歌－－"There is a Tale"。
学了几次，不得不承认，在弹奏乐器方面，我是没有得到上帝的恩赐的。
没耐性练习是一个问题。另一方面，我对乐器没有直觉。一向理性惯了，总觉得，不需要看自己的手就能按出正确的音符好象是天方夜谭。
虽然这样，心中还是对那恩赐百物的天父不断恳求说：「不求什么，只要让我学会弹这一首歌－－这一辈子，就这么一首也够了－－拜托啦－－」
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什么歌这么神奇，可以唱它一辈子？
其实，神奇的不是那首歌，而是歌曲中所要讲述的那个故事：
There is a Tale (download MIDI) (download PowerPoint Show with MIDI)
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There is a tale of a babe
There is a song of a birth
Ringing through time, through the ages
For all to hear,
For all to hear-
That a virgin was given a child
That a people was given a king
That a world was given its saviour
That a world was given its saviour…
"Glory to the Lord above,
peace and love to the souls on earth!"
so the angels sang of the good news
that a virgin was given a child
that the world was given the King of kings
King of kings, and the Lord of lords…
歌的第一段，讲述的是耶稣的降生，和他的降生所带来的盼望－－万王之王、万主之主、万世以来人类不断引颈期待的拯救－－但在那一刻，那么一抹淡淡的哀愁是，虽然那马槽之夜是平安的，但这婴孩的未来，没有平安；反之，他必需以他的痛苦、祸患来为世人换取平安和拯救－－但那是后来的事了。我们再看第二段－－
There is a tale of a man
There is a song of his deeds
Ringing through time, through the ages
For all to hear,
For all to hear-
That the blind was given to see
That the deaf was given to hear
That the lame was given to walk
That a world was given its healing…
And he taught us the way of God
And he taught us the truths of life
And he said, "Repent! For the time is near,
Turn away, turn away from your sins!"
And he said, "Repent! For the time is near,
For the Kingdom of Heaven is near…"
第二段讲述耶稣在世时所行过的事迹。这些事迹都是早就预言在旧约圣经里的了，就是他使瞎眼的得以看见、耳聋的得以听见、瘸腿的得以行走、所有的病人都得医治，甚至叫死人复活－－但，在他心中最大的负担却是人的灵魂是否得免沉沦－－「天国近了，要悔改，信福音－－」信息简单，但从他的不眠不休，可以看见他心中的迫切－－
There is a tale of a death
There is a song of a love
Ringing through time, through the ages
For all to hear,
For all to hear-
That a man was nailed to the cross
That a man without sins was to die
That a man was to give of his blood
As a price for the sins of the world…
"Forgive them they know not what they do
My Lord, forgive them of all their sins!"
So the man pled to God for the world
as he died all alone on the cross
So the man gave his blood and his life
as a price for the sins of the world…
然而，听了他的话的人，不但不悔改，反而将他给治死了。
第三段讲述他被钉死在十字架上，以及他被钉死的意义－－因为一个全然无罪的、完全公义的人受死，便代替了那有罪的人的刑罚。
最扎人心的是那一句：「天父，饶恕他们；他们所做的，他们不知道－－」
创世以来一切的爱都被放进了这一句话、及上帝接着所赐给人的赦免里去了。
而世人到了今日，却都还不晓得接受这爱。
Into the grasp of death he went
To pay a price not of his debt
And there he waited
Till the third day dawned
And behold-and behold!
And behold! The risen Christ!
And behold! Salvation is come!
And behold! The risen Christ!
And behold! Salvation is come…
"So, go ye into all the world,
and preach this gospel to every soul!
That the Christ is risen from death!
That salvation has come to them all!
That the power of death he has tamed!
That the yoke of sins he has broken…
歌唱到第四段，讲述的是主耶稣死后三日从坟墓里复活的荣耀－－主复活了！他战胜了死亡，使我们在他再来的时候能够有复活、得永恒生命的盼望！
同时，他回到了父那里去，在父的宝座右边成了世人的中保。
在他复活后、升天前，他在地上又待了四十天，教导他的门徒、向总共有五百多个人显现使他们可以见证他的复活，并颁下了这一道大使命：「你们要去，使万民作我的门徒－－」
So I have come with this tale
So I proclaim that he lives
Here among us, through the ages
For all to know,
For all to know-
That the Son of God is with us
That the Saviour of men is with us
With His blood He has paid for our sins
With His life He has given us life…
Let me sing of His love for you
Let me sing of His love for you
Let me sing Jesus Christ is alive!
And through Him we are forever saved!
I will sing, I will sing of His love
Through the time, through the ages I'll sing
Through the time, through the ages I'll sing
Through the time, through the ages I'll sing
歌的最后一段，歌者道出了他身上的使命－－我是一个微不足道的游唱者，但我给你们带来的这故事，是关乎万民的大好消息：「上帝的儿子与我们同在了！人类的救主已经来了！他愿意赦免我们一切的罪、并给予我们新的生命！」
游唱者如是不断的到处唱着，把那好消息带到他的脚踪所能到的每一个角落。
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我想的是，如果这一辈子不能为天父做些什么大事的话，至少我要当这么一个游唱者，抱着一把吉它，去到世界每个角落，所到之处便不断的唱着这一个奇妙的故事、美好的消息，召唤人悔改、信耶稣－－那便是极大的福分了。
『那报佳音，传平安，
报好信，传救恩的，
对锡安说：你的上帝作王了！
这人的脚登山何等佳美！』
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后记
虽然表面上这首歌是自己作词作曲的，但，我心里明白，我是不能夸口说这首歌是我写的；因为这首歌的灵感总是来得那么的突然、那么的强烈、那么的完整，它几乎是自动完成的。而我的贡献只不过是一颗领受的心，及一双握笔的手而已。
如果没记错的话，那是2000年11月的某个主日崇拜会上。我听着当日的讲员－－还记得是刘碧虎弟兄－－在台上讲着，心中突然有一个负担：我要写一首完整的、讲述耶稣整个生平的歌，让世人能够从歌中认识耶稣、听到救恩。
这念头一起，便一口气的、连自己也不清不楚的，把第一节的词和谱都写好了。
有了这第一节的谱，在接着的两天之内便写出了现在所看见的第二、三、及五节，用同样的调。
当时就很想把复活的记述也放进去，但却没有得到感动。
上帝不给予灵感的，不能强求，便只好等待。
这一等，便一年半过去了。当中度过了两个圣诞节和一个复活节，都忍住了不发表这首歌－－还未完整的。
「等候上帝」这一门功课是最难学的，但结果也总是甜美的。
今年年头，上帝结束了我的等待，把歌的第四节给了我－－依然是那么的突如其来：在驾着车上班的途中。
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歌总算是完整了－－讲述了耶稣的降生、工作、受难、复活，并基督徒的个人委身。
很喜欢这首歌，不是因为自夸或自满，而是因为这真的是一个值得我们一辈子传颂的故事。
您，愿意相信这个故事吗？