Into my arms

/ Su Leslie
tony and su at whenuapai 94

Gray-Leslie family archive c. 1994

Sometimes, no words are necessary.

Into My Arms

I don’t believe in an interventionist God
But I know, darling, that you do
But if I did I would kneel down and ask Him
Not to intervene when it came to you
Not to touch a hair on your head
To leave you as you are
And if He felt He had to direct you
Then direct you into my arms

Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms

And I don’t believe in the existence of angels
But looking at you I wonder if that’s true
But if I did I would summon them together
And ask them to watch over you
To each burn a candle for you
To make bright and clear your path
And to walk, like Christ, in grace and love
And guide you into my arms

Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms

But I believe in Love
And I know that you do too
And I believe in some kind of path
That we can walk down, me and you
So keep your candles burning
And make her journey bright and pure
That she will keep returning
Always and evermore

Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord, into my arms

— Nicholas Edward Cave

We’re nearing the end of the 30 Days, 30 Songs challenge hosted by Sarah at Art Expedition. You can see her latest musical choice here.

36 thoughts on “Into my arms”

      • Funny you should say that Su. Both are so linked to my personal identity that they are the last thing I share with new friends normally. It just feels so much more personal than the things that most folks would regard as personal.

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        • That’s really interesting. I know what you mean, and realise that I practice a kind of self-censorship at home — with books anyway. The “public face” books are downstairs in the “public” rooms, but my office is where my really personal books live. It’s not deliberate, and I’m probably only aware of it because I’m a fan of the late sociologist Erving Goffman who wrote a lot about how we present ourselves in everyday life, including stuff on how how we organise space and use props (he was very into theatrical metaphors).
          Sorry about the ramble — you’ve got me thinking!

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          • Not a ramble at all. I must look into Erving Goffman as that sounds fascinating and is something I think about a lot.
            I chatted about music with someone recently and it really is, for me, a sign of genuine trust that I would do that.

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  2. One day, one day….. when I shall have nothing but time and hopefully still my (some) eyesight, I shall visit Sarah’s Art Expedition and listen to her choices. Thank You for this, Su, so very much appreciated.

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    • Thank you Tish. I remember that photo being taken, really as though it were yesterday. Even though the lovely rural cottage we were in has now been demolished and replaced with dozens of cookie-cutter houses 🙁

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  9. Such a wonderful photo – you’re right: no words needed. 😊
    And the song is awesome! Tracy already pointed out a lot of Nick Cave’s songs to me – what a brilliant mind and artist!

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