The lyrics of the old Rodgers and Hammerstein song which brought 1963 chart success to Gerry and the Pacemakers strike a chord for many during this time of coronavirus.
The song will always be associated with the late Gerry Marsden who died this month. Coincidentally, strains of 'You'll never walk alone' were on the brains of two Winchester clerics this past week, as the Dean of Winchester, the Rt Revd Catherine Ogle explains in her latest lockdown message (12 January)
Each one of us is on a journey through life, and right now, the terrain is tough and the times are hard. Many of us are weary. Ever since the news of the death of Gerry Marsden, of Gerry and the Pacemakers, was announced last week, his best-known hit has been ringing in my ears. Coincidentally, Canon Roly read the entire words towards the end of his Sunday sermon. Here are just a few lines:
When you walk through a storm Hold your head up high And don't be afraid of the dark…
The words are poignant and powerful because they are honest. Life can be tough and sometimes it takes courage just to keep going. But then the song resonates with the Christian faith that we are never alone on the journey. God is our beginning and our end and we journey with Christ, who is our light and hope.
… Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone
As we adjust to living in lockdown again, the message that the Cathedral longs to share with you is ‘you are not alone’. The Cathedral is here, alive and active and praying for you. You are precious to God and Christ walks with you...
In common with many cathedrals around the country Winchester Cathedral is live-streaming services. There are also Zoom gatherings available after some worship offering some companionship for those at home. See the website for details. The building is open for private prayer between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm.
Dean Catherine closed her message with a prayer for faith for the journey from Eric Milner White and G W Briggs:
O Lord God
who called your servants
to ventures of which we cannot see the ending,
by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown:
give us faith to go out with a good courage,
not knowing where we are going,
but only that your hand is leading us,
and your love supporting us,
to the glory of your name.
Amen
