A Carolers' Lament at 17 Below

With Thanksgiving passed, we considered removing the autumn ornaments from the backyard garden. But before the pumpkins and scarecrow could be removed, Christmas decorations burst forth from their confines and began proliferating within the home. This brought on the discovery of an over abundance of Santa hats. 

My Bride began to remove one to the thrift shop donation bag in the garage when the lonely scarecrow in the middle garden caught her eye. "Do you think this would fit him?" she queried. "I'll can try it and see." I replied.

I journeyed the 30 feet to his garden plot,  placed the hat on the old crow, stood back in awe and began to laugh. Not only did it fit, but he looked perfect for the season.

The next morning, as I prepared for church, my attention was drawn to the dawning sun rays and the sparkle of morning frost. As I gazed further out, low and behold, our old friend, Mr. ScareCrow, bore a layer of frost on his hat. It introduced the merriment of the season for me right there in our backyard; a frost covered Bumpkin, and the inspiration for this poem. I don't recall the events of the day or the pastor's message but by Monday evening the poem was complete. Enjoy the adventure of our Bumpkin.

The Sidewalk Preacher Man

Dedicated to all God's street evangelists like Ray Comfort. 

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor 

he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the increase."

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

© 2018 Michael L. Alumbaugh

 

First time I saw him 

Down on Beggar and Grand
Sleeping on a park bench
A bottle in his hand.
Next time I saw him
He had a fire in his eyes,
He talked about a Saviour
Who would split the skies!
So I had to ask him, “Tell me,
What changed you, man?”
He said,
“It was the Sidewalk Preacher,
The Sidewalk Preacher Man!
The Sidewalk Preacher Man,
Sidewalk Preacher Man!”

(Interlude)

She was walkin’ the “Death Walk”
Toward the “Butchers’ Mill”
With both hands on her unborn
Crying, “Is it right to kill?”
Next time I saw her
She held a little hand
Despair had fled her life
And Joy had filled her land!
So I stopped to ask her, “Tell me,
What changed your plan?”
She said,
“It was the Sidewalk Preacher,
The Sidewalk Preacher Man!
The Sidewalk Preacher Man,
Sidewalk Preacher Man!”

He offered them more than just a way to cope.
He gave a Ray of Comfort and a heart of Hope!
In their “Well of Troubles”, he threw them down a rope.
They got "Living Water" for their thirsty souls!

(Interlude)

The first time I saw them
They were bangin’ guitars
Screaming angry lyrics
In some sleazy bar.
The next time I saw them
Their bloody words had flown!
They had a brand new message
They sang a Gospel song!
So I had to ask them, “Tell me,
What changed your stand?”
They said,
“It was the Sidewalk Preacher,
The Sidewalk Preacher Man!
The Sidewalk Preacher Man,
Sidewalk Preacher Man!”

When all the others had only offered lies
He told them of the Way, the Truth, the Life!
He showed them how to live a brand new way.
He’d turned their darkness into a shining day!

It was the Preacher Man,
The Sidewalk Preacher Man!
The Sidewalk Preacher Man!
The Sidewalk Preacher Man!
The Sidewalk Preacher Man,
Sidewalk Preacher Man!