The Holy Land

PROLOGUE (HOLY LAND)

(Johnny Cash)

We are in the Holy Land

The ground upon which I stand is sacred to the Jew the Christian Moslem Islam

To millions of people the world over and has been throughout the ages

This is the promised land

The land that God showed to Moses from a top Mount Nebo

Which we can see in the distance

At this place in Galilee the sound of God's voice has been heard

As He spoke to the prophets

Once man heard God's voice when He said of his son Jesus Christ

This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased

Such a blessing to be able to hear the voice of God has been given to very few

But such a blessing was given to the Land of Israel

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LAND OF ISRAEL

(Johnny Cash)

From the top of Sinai to the Sea of Galilee

Ev'ry hill and plain is home ev'ry place is dear to me

There the breezes tell the stories oh what stories they do tell

Of the mighty things that happened in the land of Israel

Here where Moses and the Prophets spoke of one who would be king

Of a heavenly Messiah and the blessings he would bring

Oh to hear again the call all is peaceful all is well

Upon ev'ry rock and mountain in the land of Israel

[ strings ]

From the rolling plain of Sharon to Mount Tebor's lofty heights

To the deserts of Beersheba all is calm all is right

Green the trees are on the mountains sweet the water in the well

May there never more be sorrow in the land of Israel

Here where Moses and the Prophets...

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MOTHER'S LOVE

(Johnny Cash)

We are in Nazareth within a few feet of this place Jesus lived as a child

With his father Joseph the carpenter and his mother Mary

In Jerusalem the mother of Jesus watched her son die on the cross

She stood by to give him the only thing that she had left a mother's love

It was my mother who first told me of Israel stories of this land

That made it so dear to me that I'm drawn like a prodigal son to relive these stories

Here's a two thousand year old story that tells of the strength of a mother's love

Once a young man lived with his mother beside a great forest

The young man was in love with a beautiful girl who lived in the forest

He told the girl in the forest that if she would marry him

He would bring her anything that she asked

Knowing that the young man lived with his mother the girl said

Take your dagger and cut out your mother's heart

And bring it to me and I will marry you

Well this made the young man very sad

But he wanted to marry the girl so he killed his mother and cut out her heart

Running through the forest with his mother's heart in his hands

He stumbled and fell and dropped the heart

As he was getting up his mother's heart cried out from the ground

My son did you hurt yourself when you fell

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THIS IS NAZARETH

(Johnny Cash)

The noises you hear in the background are the different little shops

Here in the market place in Nazareth

There's a man beatin' out some pans with a hammer there

You know lookin' at Nazareth especially in this part of Nazareth

You'd be inclined to feel like Nathaniel did when he said to Phillip in the Bible

Can there be any good thing ever come from Nazareth

And John the Baptist preachin' repentance down on the Jordan River

Which we'll be seein' later on today

Said there's one comin' after me the latches of whose shoes

I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose

And the prophets had said referrin' to this place right here

He shall be called a Nazarene

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NAZARENE

(Johnny Cash)

Caesar ruled Rome in all its glory ev'ry land called Alexander Great

But no man can compare in any story with the one man who controls so many's fate

Yes along the dusty road came the Nazarene

Baptized by John was the Nazarene

Preachin' on the top of the mountain was the Nazarene

Followed by a multitude was the Nazarene

Tried and condemned they laid their stripes on Him

But like He said back from the dead came the Nazarene

[ guitar ]

Nothing good had ever come from Nazareth an unimportant place in Galilee

But the soul of any man could fall into bondage

And God had promised man could be set free

And then along the dusty road...

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TOWN OF CANA

(Johnny Cash)

We are in the Town of Cana

It is a short distance from Nazareth toward the Sea of Galilee

And on his way to Capernaum Jesus stopped at a wedding feast

Here which he was invited to

And when he came to the feast he was told that the family was so poor

That they didn't have wine for the wedding feast

So Christ at this very spot that we are entering right now

Of which a church stands over

Jesus ordered the jugs filled with water

And then when they were served at the feast

When the jugs were poured around to the different people

It was wine of the finest wine that was known in Galilee at that time

We are entering now down into a kind of a crypt-like place underneath the church

Where the miracle actually took place

And there is one of the jugs here

That supposedly was one of those he used to pour the wine from that had been water

And the well where the water was drawn from

We are at the place where the water cintern was

It is all undeground as most people lived back then under ground because it was cool

This is where the water came from

He turned the water into wine

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HE TURNED THE WATER INTO WINE

(Johnny Cash)

He turned the water into wine he turned the water into wine

In the little Cana town the word went all around that he turned the water into wine

Well he walked upon the Sea of Galilee he walked upon the Sea of Galilee

Shouted far and wide he calmed the raging tide and walked upon the Sea of Galilee

He turned the water into wine...didn't my Lord now

He healed the leper and the lame he healed the leper and the lame

He said go and tell no man but they shouted it through the land

That he healed the leper and the lame

He turned the water into wine...didn't my Lord now

He fed the hungry multitude yes he fed the hungry multitude

With a little bit of fish and bread they said ev'ryone was fed

He fed the hungry multitude

He turned the water into wine...didn't my Lord now

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MY WIFE JUNE AT SEA OF GALILEE

(Johnny Cash)

[ June ]

This is the 23rd of April no May 23rd of May and John and I are

sittin' on the veranda of a hotel that is in Tiberias Israel

It is right on the Sea of Galilee

We can see to our left the place where they held the Sermon On The Mount

And across the lake is now the land of Israel

But up until eleven months ago was held by Syria

On down to the right further down the Jordan River joins the Sea of Galilee

And it's a beautiful day with the birds

You can hear the motor boats on the lake only one that I can see

And then a big pleasure boat that is comin' across the other side

from the Sea of Galilee

The lake at this point I'd say is about eight miles wide and it's fourteen miles long

[ Johnny ]

Hmm that's right June Israel is really again in its glory

This is a beautiful place

It's in much greater glory that she was in the days of King Herod

I'm proud to say for the Jews today King Herod gained the throne like a fox

Ruled like a lion and died like a dog

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BEAUTIFUL WORDS

(Johnny Cash)

We're at the place of the Sermon on the mount

Beautiful words beautiful words He spoke beautiful words

The wind lay still and the whole world listened as He spoke beautiful words

Blessed are the poor in spirit for their is the Kingdom of Heaven

Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake

For their is the Kingdom of Heaven blessed are ye when men shall revile ye

And persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake

Beautiful words beautiful words He spoke beautiful words

The wind lay still and the whole world listened as He spoke beautiful words

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10.

OUR GUIDE JACOB AT MOUNT TABOR

(Johnny Cash)

We are now up on top of Mount Tabor

And Jacob you're our guide so how about tellin' us in your own words

Just what happened at this place

I hope the wind is not makin' too much noise we are at a great height up here

(Here we are this is Mount Tabor

We are standing on the highest of the lower Galilee mountains watching around us

A most magnificent view really one can expect to see

This of course is the Mountain of Trans-Figuration

Where Christ with his three elder disciples climbed up the mountain

And that is when at the same time they all spoke saying

Master Master can we have three tents made here

The place is so beautiful we want to stay

And at that same moment they saw Christ was conversing

With Moses and Elijah the prophet

A cloud came from which the voice of the Lord was heard saying

This is my son my chosen son Thou shalt obey

They watched to the face of Christ at that time

And saw that there was light around it

He was transfigured His tunic became as white as snow

So it's called the Mountain of Trans-Figuration

This is where it happened)

Thank you very much Jacob and you know there was another time that Moses

That you were talkin' about Moses climbed the mountain

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11.

TEN COMMANDMENTS

(Lew De Witt)

Moses led God's children out to find the promised land

And on the way he'd stop each day and look to Heaven and

Ask God for help as he could not withstand the task alone

And then one day he looked away and thereby lay a stone

God said write upon this stone these words I say to you

And if you all obey my rules I'll see you safely through

God opened Heaven's door and then He guided Moses' hands

And He said go and tell my children these are my commands

Go and climb that mountain Moses climb that mountain now and pray

Climb that mountain now and tell us what our Lord has had to say

Thou shalt have no Gods before me is my great command

And thou shalt not make any graven image by thy hand

Thou shalt not take my name in vain if thou would guiltless be

Remember thou to keep the sabbath day alone for me

Honor thy father and thy mother and thou shalt not kill

Thou shalt not commit adult'ry and thou shalt not steal

Love thy neighbor as thyself and show thy neighbor peace

Covet not thy neighbor's house nor anything that's his

Go and climb that mountain...

Moses showed these words of God to all the children then

They pulled up stakes and headed out to find the promised land

That Moses had described to them and told of comforts there

The children of oppression thought they'd not find anywhere

But they were soon to part from him and push alone awhile

For it was never meant for him to walk that final mile

The children cried if we must go on Moses without you

Then talk to God just one more time and tell us what to do

Go and climb that mountain...

Thou shalt have no Gods before me...

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12.

DADDY SANG BASS

(Carl Perkins)

I remember when I was a lad times were hard and things were bad

But there's a silver lining behind every cloud

Just poor people that's all we were tryin' to make a livin' out of black land dirt

But we'd get together in a family circle singin' loud

Daddy sang bass (mama sang tenor

Me and little brother would join right in there)

Singin' seems to help a troubled soul

One of these days and it won't be long I'll rejoin them in a song

I'm gonna join the family circle at the throne

No the circle won't be broken by and by Lord by and by

Daddy sang bass (mama sang tenor

Me and little brother would join right in there) in the sky Lord in the sky

[ guitar ]

Now I remember after work mama would call in all of us

You could hear us singin' for a country mile

Now little brother has done gone on but I'll rejoin him in a song

We'll be together again up yonder in a little while

Daddy sang bass...

In the sky Lord in the sky

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13.

AT THE WAILING WALL

(Johnny Cash)

We're approaching the Wailing Wall now

Which is all that remains of the ancient temple the holiest place of the Jews

Jews of all sects all tribes from all over the world are comin' to the Wailing Wall

You can hear some of the faithful

Praying in the background here before the Wailing Wall

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14.

COME TO THE WAILING WALL

(Johnny Cash)

Oh my Lord what a mornin' oh my Lord what a day

The sound of battle's over and the smoke has blown away

Come to the Wailing Wall come to the Wailing Wall

Thank God you can stand upon this Holy Land

And touch the hallowed rock that God delievered to our hand

Come to the Wailing Wall come to the Wailing Wall

Shout it cross the mountain shout it cross the sea

We have been delivered Israel is free

Come to the Wailing Wall...

Bring the lost ones homeward lead them to this shore

The city gates are open heaven's blessing pour

Come to the Wailing Wall...

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15.

IN BETHLEHEM

(Johnny Cash)

Now we are in the city of Bethlehem

At the door of the Church of the Nativity where Christ was born

The gate has been walled up that enters into the church because of the horsemen

That used to come attack the place and sack the church

It's been walled up to where there's just a very narrow opening of about

Three and a half feet where you enter into the Church of Nativity

So now we enter into the place where Christ was born

This is the place where Christ was born to the world over it's a mighty big place

Actually physically it's a small cave underneath the Church of the Nativity

Many other people are here today to see this place

Before me is the actual spot where Christ was born undisputed to the ages

This place was found and confirmed that it was the place of the Nativity

By St Helene mother of Constantine the Emperor of Rome

In the third in the fourth century

Just a few feet away from this place where Christ was born

Where there is a Star of Bethlehem in the manger

Where he was taken wrapped in swaddling clothes

Meaning loose-fitting clothes laid in the manger

Where he was come and visited at this very spot by the three Wisemen from the east

One of the holiest of holy places

In the Christian tradition the Holy Family retreated here

During the massacre of the holy innocence ordered by King Herod

And just as we left the Church of the Nativity a few minutes ago

We saw another cave where so many of the children

That King Herod had killed under two years old were buried

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16.

IN GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

(Johnny Cash)

We are on the Mount of Olives now just outside the gate of the Garden of Gethsemane

Where Jesus prayed where he sweated blood where he was betrayed

Denied and finally at this place He was arrested

We are entering at the gate now of the Garden of Gethsemane

Ash and olive trees beautiful flowers it's a very beautiful place

Where Christ often cften came to pray to meditate

Olive trees are probably two thousand years old or more

And now there's a possibility and a very strong possibility

That beneath or around some of these very same olive trees

That we see here Jesus himself sat or stood with his Disciples

You know Jesus knew his divine purpose right from the very beginning

And that last night of his life here in the Garden of Gethsemane

He knew that His hour had come

He was born human just like any of us and He didn't wanna die

He prayed and as a matter of fact He prayed to be spared the death

That He knew that was very near

Here within a very few feet of where I'm standing Jesus stood

And when they came to arrest him he said I am He whom you seek

And they took him away

If Jesus had not had a divine purpose in dying

He through his divine power could have been delivered as it's indicated

That He delivered Shadrack Meshack and Abednigo from the fiery furnace

Many many years before the time of Christ

King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fiery furnace

And saw that the three men were walkin' around in the fire

And he said of the spirit that was there protecting them

The form of the fourth is like the Son of God

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17.

FOURTH MAN

(Arthur Smith)

They wouldn't bend (they held on to the will of God so we are told)

They wouldn't bow (they would not bow their knees to the Idol made of gold)

They wouldn't burn (they were protected by) the Fourth Man in the fire

They wouldn't bend they wouldn't bow they wouldn't burn

Now the prophet Daniel tells about three men who walked with God

Shadrach Meshach and Abednigo before the wicked king they stood

And the king commanded them bound and thrown into the fiery furnace that day

But the fire was so hot that the men were slain that forced them on their way

They wouldn't bend ...

Now when the three were cast in and the king rose up to witness this awful fate

He began to tremble at what he saw in astonished tones he spake

Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire

Well Lo I see four men unhurt unbound and walkin' down there

There's Shadrach Meshach and Abednigo and the fiery coals they trod

But the form of the Fourth Man that I see is like the Son of God

They wouldn't bend ...

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18.

ON THE VIA DOLOROSA

(Johnny Cash)

We are on the Via Dolorosa the way of the Cross having just left the Praetorium

Where Pilate said to Christ I washed my hands of the matter

And turned him over to the people and told them to do what they would with him

There's no traffic here the streets's very narrow

Little children playing along the street the street's about ten feet wide

You see the third station of the Cross

Where Christ almost fell under the weight of the Cross

He's kneeling and the fourth station of the Cross on about

Over forty or fifty feet farther toward Calvary

Where His mother came up to Him and said my Son what's happened

And he's leaning under the heavy weight of the Cross too

Continuing on now toward Calvary from the fourth station of the Cross

We left the Praetorium where Christ was sentenced and where he was turned over

To the Jewish people and they were offered Barabbas and they said

No give us Christ we'll crucify him

Following along the stations of the Cross passing station No 5

And it's said at this point that Simon a Cyrenean coming out of the country

On him they laid the Cross that he might bear it after Jesus

And they continued on the way of the Cross as we are now

Leaving place No 5 toward Calvary it's a long long way from here

You can see standing here between station No 5 and No 6

Two hundred yards at least up the steps toward Calvary's hill

All along it's a very narrow street ten or twelve feet wide

Shops on each side little children playin' old men and women

Carryin' their bread dressed in their long robes

Just as they did two thousand years ago

The music here in the background is a radio playin' (what's that an Arab station)

Still continuin' up the way of the Cross toward Calvary

The voices you hear in the background are pilgrims from all over the world

All along the Via Dolorosa here there are beggars (I suppose mostly Arab beggars)

Pass station No 10 continuing on to Calvary they are all along the way

They say that they are all blind

They say that the reason there are so many blind along

This part of the country is because of the dust

Ev'rywhere the wind is blowin' and the dust is flyin'

And of course there are germs in the dust that diseases their eyes

And the dust itself puts 'em out

On toward Calvary we pass another beggar sittin' along the way

All kinds of shops pilgrims continuin' on the same way that we're goin'

Now closer to Calvary the way really gets crowded

It's still the same very narrow street though

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19.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE

(Johnny Cash)

Approaching the shrine now where the Cross was now where Christ was crucified

Also the place of the Holy Sepulchre where Christ was buried

Entering into the actual church now which is covered not only the tomb

Where Christ was buried but also the place where he was crucified

There is a very interesting story about this place of Golgotha

They say that when Christ was crucified and His blood came down the cross

And incidentally we are climbin' the steps right now

Going up to the place where He was crucified

When He was crucified and His blood ran down the Cross

It ran into the ground and His blood touched the skull of Adam

The very first man ever on earth created by God Adam

And that just for an instant the skull of Adam came to life

From the blood of Christ touchin' it

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20.

AT CALVARY

(Johnny Cash)

And now here we stand in the approximate spot where the Cross stood

In this very spot supposedly on this very spot is

Where Christ was nailed to the Cross layin' flat on the ground

I don't think at this time that it really

After what I've seen today and what is just before me now

That it makes a lot of difference whether or not

This was exactly the very spot where Christ was crucified

And I feel proud in that I am able in my lifetime to come and stand

If not in the exact spot within a few feet or a few yards

At least of where it all happened

Where our Christianity began the most holiest of holy spots for the Christians

Now I would like myself to kneel before this place here underneath the table that is

Where the Cross was supposed to have stood

It is definitely if not the place it's near the place

After Christ was crucified He lay upon the Cross dying

After He was dead the Roman soldiers cast lots for His clothes

There was a Roman soldier Marcellus

Who won this purple robe of Christ in a dice game

And legend has it story has it that Marcellus was affected very strongly by this robe

And the effects of having seen the Crucifixion he almost lost his mind

And ev'rywhere he would go for months and years after that he was like a mad man

He would go to this one or that one standin' near and say were you out there

Were you there were you there when they crucified Him

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21.

GOD IS NOT DEAD

(Johnny Cash)

When Jesus called to God upon the cross no answer came for his will must be done

Then how the world trembled at his voice when he said this is my beloved son

It isn't God but man that's dead when love is locked outside

Do you deny that there's a God or is God just denied God is not dead he never died

What man on earth can make one blade of grass

And who can make one seed then make it grow

With all the power and wisdom in our hands

Who can command which way the wind to blow

And who can match the miracle in an eagle's eye or hang a rainbow in a cloudy sky

God is not dead he did not die God is not dead God is not dead

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22.

EPILOGUE

(Johnny Cash)

This Jesus of Nazzareth even after His cruel death left us with His hope and promise

In my father's house are many mansions

And as if to His own children he said if it were not so I would have told you

I go to prepare a place for you and if I go to prepare a place for you

I will come again and recieve you unto myself

That where I am there you may be also

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