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WALKING THE SONG OF THE CROSS

Music and lyrics by James Ralph Boyd

Piano sheet music available upon request at jamesralphb6@icloud.com.

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This music video is based upon Jesus' haunting words along the way of the cross as told by St. Luke's Gospel 23:26-32: "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?"

Lyrics

I see Him walking, walking down a road.

I see the people throwing stones.

Walking. He's still walking up a hill.

I see the women crying for Him as He passed them by.

He was wearing a crown, carrying a tree on His back, trudging up the hill.

Yet He spoke to them:

Blessed women, holy daughters of Jerusalem, please don't cry for Me.

For, indeed, the days are coming when you will say,

"Blessed are the barren women and their wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.

Blessed are the barren women and their wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed."

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Israel, the day will come for you when the people will say to the hilltops, to the mountains, and their summits, to every high spot in the sky,

"Fall upon us. Give us cover."

For I see hatred on them and their children.

For if these things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when the wood becomes so dry?

What will happen?

What will happen when the wood becomes so dry?

Do no cry.

Do not mourn for me.

Let them lead me to Thy holy hill to rebuild, to rebuild, to rebuild the house of Israel.

Israel, Israel, Oh, Israel!

Come and see what God has just begun.

Though I fall, I will but rise headstrong.

But now I go.

Now I walk to Thy altar of Jerusalem for you, for you, Oh, Oh, Israel.

The steps of this Man are from the Lord.

The steps of this Man are from the Lord, the Lord.

Then Jesus stood still on Calvary as the soldiers stripped Him of His clothes for all the people to see Him in His nudity.

Then they nailed him to a cross once, twice, three times.

Then they cast lots for His seamless coat as he slowly died, as He slowly died.

So slowly He died.

So slowly He died.

Why did this God-man Jesus let them do such cruel things to Him?

He did it to save us from our sins.

He did it so we'd live evermore.

So we could be with Him.

He did it for Love, for Love.

For Love, for Love.

Love.  Love.

He did it for Love.

Song Structure

Overall Form: Narrative + Refrain (Processional Style)

The piece is structured less like a conventional verse-chorus song and more like a devotional procession. It unfolds as a musical meditation on Luke 23:26–32, moving step by step with Christ on the road to Calvary.

Think of it as storytelling framed by a repeated walking motif.

Opening Invocation (Establishing the Journey)

  • The song begins quietly and reflectively.

  • Musically and lyrically, it sets the scene: Jesus is already on the road, already carrying the cross.

  • This opening establishes the central image of walking—physical movement that also symbolizes obedience and sacrifice.

Function:
To place the listener inside the Passion narrative, not as a distant observer but as a witness.

Narrative Verses (Scriptural Progression)

The core of the song unfolds in narrative sections, each advancing the Gospel story:

  • Jesus walking under the weight of the cross;

  • The women of Jerusalem weeping;

  • Christ’s prophetic warning to them;

  • The continued ascent toward crucifixion.

These verses are linear, following the biblical account in order rather than repeating a single emotional idea.

Musically:

  • Often restrained, almost chant-like;

  • Allows the text to remain central;

  • Avoids dramatic “climaxes” too early, reinforcing solemnity.

Repeated Walking Motif (Refrain/Anchor)

Between or within narrative sections, the composer returns to a recurring musical-lyrical idea centered on Jesus continuing to walk.

This functions like a refrain, even if it doesn’t behave like a pop chorus.

Purpose of the refrain:

  • Reinforces persistence and inevitability;

  • Creates a meditative rhythm—step, breath, step;

  • Grounds the listener emotionally as the story grows heavier.

Crucifixion Imagery (Emotional Peak)

As the song progresses, the imagery intensifies:

  • Arrival at the hill;

  • Nailing to the cross;

  • Division of garments.

This section is the emotional and theological apex, but the composer avoids overt musical dramatics. Instead, the restraint emphasizes reverence and sorrow.

Structural note:
The intensity comes from accumulation, not volume or speed.

Closing Meditation (Meaning and Purpose)

The final section shifts from narration to interpretation:

  • The focus moves from what happened to why it happened;

  • Love and sacrifice become explicit themes.

Rather than resolving musically in triumph, the song rests in contemplation, inviting prayer rather than applause.

Why This Structure Matters

The composer's structure mirrors:

  • Stations of the Cross;

  • Liturgical procession;

  • Scripture-based meditation.

It’s designed for:

  • Holy Week reflection;

  • Worship settings;

  • Personal devotional listening.

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