Safe in the arms of Jesus
Dwells our good Queen Bess
For your steadfastness and caring
We could not have loved you less

We knew this day would come to pass
Though sudden it did come
These tears we shed between us
Have left us feeling glum

For you were such a figurehead
The world had never seen
A comfort and a surety
That nothing could demean

A matriarchal figure
Who’s bearing held within
A great love for these islands
Not just for kith and kin

So with the Royal Family
We grieve both one and all
For the kindest Monarch ever
That did our hearts enthral

We take comfort in the knowledge
And it should be widely known
That your faith has surely taken you
Neath heavens highest throne

Our prayers are now with others
And though our tears may wring
As a nation we now stand and say
God Save The King!

David Davidson
09 September 2022

I set my heart on things above

I’ve died to sin through perfect love

I shan’t desire those things now past

As I hunger for the love that lasts

For when I see him face to face

and bathe in his amazing grace

This wretched being filled with spite

I’m told that I shall be alike

With him! 

Oh wondrous joy to be

That I can serve eternally.

Yet my race is not quite done

Human faults that I must shun

malice, slander, curses, anger

delivered spoken with such rancour

transform the inners of my mind

words of truth my lips must find

Compassion, kindness, patience

To give my inner self renascence

And still!

Forgiveness as he doth forgive

No debts accrued to me shall live

The peace that he has bought for me

Must radiate for all to see

Songs on my lips, to him be praise

thankfully throughout my days.

And he sees the earth broken and shamed

He’s seen the distress of the solitary

The lonely the weak and the maimed

He hears the pleas of the prisoners

No pleasure he takes from their plight

He knows of their wrongs and particulars

Whether they’re wrong or are right

Let this generation be now informed

Of his wondrous mercy and love

For no sinners plea to him will be spurned

As he looks on the earth from above

Jerusalem will bring forth praise

And his glory revealed throughout Zion 

For his power will both stun and amaze 

Those gathered that day to be with him.

For though we may wither like grass turned to hay

And destined for death and the grave

You laid the foundations on the first day

Your chosen, elect, to be saved

For once we were broken, wretched and in pain

You gave us new garments to wear 

Your grace remains constant your years never end

In your presence some day we’ll be there.

To stand on your Holy hill

Or take a seat at your table

And there do eat their fill

Oh that I was worthy

To kneel before the alter

But many sins of man I own 

Would cause my case to falter

Have I never let my pride

Think I’m above my brother

Nor stand up for the righteous 

When I see them in a corner

Do I give wholeheartedly 

To help the plight of others

Or miserly protect my pot

Though death it has no coffers

Do I always speak the truth

And never stoop to slander

Does my sight not covet things

When my eyes they wander

There was but one to satisfy

And make the final grade

His perfect gift, his sacrifice

From which he never swayed 

No fault in him could ere be found

Tho many tried to test him

Pharisees and Scribes alike

Failed because he had no sin

There is good news that you should know

He’s now ensconced in heaven

His elect ones who have believed

Have had their sins forgiven 

Time is short, come join us now

And sing this glad  refrain 

As we bow before  throne

🎵Worthy is the Lamb who was Slain🎶

My strength has waned

Oh hear my cry

A mighty tower you are to me

Ever Present when I plea.

You are my refuge, I am weak

your mighty power 

is what I seek

I long to dwell and learn such things

Beneath you loving caring wings

Preserve me from the evil one

That I might live

Proclaim your Son

To Sing your praises every day

Fulfill my vows that’s what I pray.

David Davidson

4th September 2022

These fourteen years have passed so fast 

The seasons came and seemed to blend

With feelings thought would always last.

It pains us now to see you so

Still faithfully endeavouring to please

Mere mortals, are we meant to know

The canine brain and how we can appease?

You haven’t grumbled at your lot

You’ve soldiered on midst senses lost

Sight, sound and balance you’ve begot

To chase a ball and devil take the cost

Oh, but our human senses fail

To look beyond the extra work it seems

Your years are counted on a different scale

our attitudes on other dreams

So come little shadow pal and wait

We’ll bear the suffering as best we can with you

Your sweet sad eyes, your waggy tail, your dinner plate

With loving hands to gently soothe and see you through.

Waiting for a breeze

To take them back to warmer climes

And beat the winter freeze

Their summer love is over

Their passions cold, and so

New challenges await them

They know it’s time to go.

And so it is with you my love

I hear it in your lies

This cosy little nest of mine’s

A home you now despise.

What could I do to hold you?

When you want to wander free

This life you love is calling you

Away, away from me.

I wish you were a Robin

Who will always be my friend

And stay around in darker days

Our love would know no end

But you are just a Swallow

Loving only flight

Who’ll up and leave me lonely

When the time is right.

Farewell my love I’ll miss you

Just go and do not wait

Some day I’ll find my true love

And like two Swans on a lake,

We’ll always be together

For he will not want free

We’ll swim and fly together

Into eternity!

Swallows sitting on a wire

Waiting for a breeze………………….. (fade out)

David Davidson September 2010

The day the nation got to play

The day my parents celebrated

With my siblings four

I wasn’t born to that next year

So I missed the cakes and the cheer

They didn’t drink so they had no beer

They just were glad of no more war

I wasn’t born to that next year

I suppose I brought them some more cheer

Though I grew up wild and drank some beer

They loved me just the same

Tales of daring filled that time

Spitfires and Hurricanes so sublime

Comic books and nursery rhymes

Set my mind aflame

My childhood memories are so sweet

Though I missed that party in the street

With the bunting and the lemonade

I’m sure some tears were shed 

Not all came home to feel that bliss

A family hug, a lovers kiss

No we must remember those who missed

So a thought for them instead.

My dad he never made a fuss

Though he dodged some bullets in desert dust

Then helped to free old Italy 

Before his de-mob day

His medals now I proudly keep

Locked in the room were I now sleep

Though I think of him and often weep

At things I meant to say.

Those years were hard there was no stuff

The rationing was still quite tough

No jobs for men’s dreams to fulfil 

And bitter winters chill

We made it through though thanks to them

Those brave obedient trusting men

Things soon improved through toil and strain

Mums working in the mill

No I wasn’t born on VE Day

But looking back give thanks and pray

For all the good times that we shared

From that day unto now

That generation was the best 

These words I must get off my chest

We truly are the ones so blessed

So all you veterans take a bow!

To Pharaoh his mission to free the Hebrews 

trembling feet on holy ground

Tongue tied and frightened he uttered this sound

What name shall I say sent me forth on this task

Those stiff necks in Egypt will be bound to ask

I AM WHO I AM came the voice from the Bush

A name since revered and spoken in Hush

Yahweh, “He Brings into Existence Whatever Exists”,

Translated from Hebrew to our tongue consists.

The Son when he walked upon earth used this term

Read the gospel of John for the I Am’s and Learn

In Chapter 6 after they all had been fed

He mentioned full stomachs, not his kind of bread

Follow me put aside worldly strife 

And he told them, “ I AM, the bread of Life.”

Whoever hungers for the things of today 

Will find that these pleasures all lead to decay

Only through him can hunger be sated

So follow him now let your heart be persuaded.

“The Light of the world I AM” said he

When faced by accusing Pharisee 

His life is the light for all mankind 

Though persecuted and maligned 

The blackness of sin tries to outwit

But the darkness has not overcome it.

The Jews tried to trick him in chapter eight

Their hearts filled with envy, malice and hate

His father was not Abraham

Before Abraham was, he said “I AM”

In chapter 10 as words unfold

He tells of his wonderful safety fold

“I AM, the gate” for those who choose.

The fear of death and hell will lose

“I AM, the good shepherd” and my sheep follow me

He expounded to the Pharisees 

I know my sheep and they know me

True believers find peace in my sanctuary 

Disciples may find this life somewhat testing

But the prize is joy, peace and love everlasting 

When news of a dear friends illness came known 

He hastened to be with him in that town

Too late came the wails of Martha and Mary

Could have become Lazarus obituary

“I AM the resurrection and the life” he did cry

He that believes in me will live, though he may die

He that lives by believing in me 

True death for him he shall not see

Take time to read this in chapter eleven

of the one who’ll lead his own to heaven.

He knew he soon must die on the cross

And he taught his disciples that all was not lost

I go to prepare a place for you

That where I am there’s a place for you too.

“I AM the way the truth and the life”

Your job is to tell every man and his wife

Don’t be downhearted said in chapter fourteen

For my spirit I’ll give you for all to be seen

I must return to the father who sent me

But I promise that Orphans you will never be.

His last analogy said at that time

Was the statement “I AM the true vine”.

His followers? well, they are the branches 

Stay joined to him through all circumstances 

His father the gardener may prune us to suit

But only to strengthen the harvest of fruit

Stay connected to Jesus throughout time on earth

Win souls for his body with all that you’re worth 

His own he will nurture with love when he gleans

Read all about this in chapter fifteen

And so as we know Jesus died on the cross

For the sins of mankind had put us at loss

His death was atonement for all of our sin

No greater love can be found than in him

Hallelujah! he’s risen upon the third day

He’s not in that dark cold tomb where in lay.

And the good news we know from John chapter three

Is salvation is ready for you and for me 

What must we do? Well he said straight and plain

Believe in him, follow and be Born Again!

For he was the one Prophets of Old

Of his birth, life and death these things were foretold 

Immanuel, God with us he was named

In Isaiah by virgin birth that he proclaimed

Bethlehem would this miracle see

A Nazarene born to shed light round Galilee

What name shall we call him when that day is nigh

When he gathers his own flock high up in the sky

I know when I see him, I’ll fall down at his feet

Saviour, Redeemer, my Master I’ll weep.

Comment by Suzanne Newman:

Absolutely LOVE David’s poem! I have a love of the “I AM” statements anyway, but this poem was just fabulous. Last 2 lines were powerful in particular. I have often written about weeping for joy at meeting Jesus. 👍👍👍