2 - Song de La Salle

It was 1651, when our story was begun.
In France was born a lad named Jean Baptiste.
And just like his namesake, nobody knew the ripples he would make...
(He) grew up and flourished there,
(He) became a cannon and a priest.  

Things didn’t look so well, when he met Adrien Nyel, 
when he saw the poor and orphans in the streets.
So different from the things he’d known, from the wealth and comfort of his home.
His eyes were opened there, a whisper told him…. To teach…

Refrain 1

If the world wanted a vote for black or white, you’d wear ‘em both.
You take the beggars and the choosers as they are.
But you wouldn’t compromise, you’d try’ta elevate their minds,
to live with one eye on the earth one on a star….

Howdya think his family took it, when the lowly men of Rheims,
ate meals upon his table every week?
What a scandal, what a shock, what a wall to break, what a foundation to rock,
They couldn’t understand. What could he gain? What did he seek?

Refrain 2

If the world had built a fence, and said “come in if you make sense”.
You woulda laughed, you wouldn’t-a found a need to beg.
When exposed to every harm, you woulda opened wide your arms 
To take the cup, with all the bitter of the dregs.

One thing led to another, for our brother, De La Salle,
A band of men, an institute begun.
The first of only lay, who altogether made their way
By love and association...

After forty years of work, he laid at last to rest.
The critics and the labors took their toll.
At 68 he passed away, it was a sad, and yet a Good Friday.
He’s still our teacher, now, even from centuries ago.

Refrain 3

Only you could walk the road. It was made for you alone.
But the furthest, from a lonely path you trod.
It led you to daily die, but with your brothers at your side,
you walked it in the holy presence of your God!

Credits
Scott helgerson - Bass guitaR
tIMOTHY wELCH - hARMONICA
rILEY bECHER - bACKGROUND vOCALS
nATHAN bUDDE- dJEMBE
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, guitar.

Written by Isaiah Lippert

Recorded in “Audio Atelier” Studio, Mankato, MN