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Voicing/Instrumentation: Vocal Solo
See more from Donnalynn Grunewald.
Genealogy/Family History
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More about Donnalynn Grunewald:
Most of my music is original. Because I have lived in small branches for most of my life, I try to write songs that can be performed by a small group or a choir of inexperienced singers.
My love of genealogy started early – at age 15. At the time, my grandfather was 88 years young. I interviewed him whenever we came to visit. My favorite stories were about his sister, Maggie. For some reason I was drawn to her, but we never met - she died in a diptheria epidemic in 1894 which also took her baby brother, Robert.
No photos existed of Maggie, but Grandpa had her school reader which was passed along to me. This song is my tribute to the girl I never met.
There are two versions: The temple version has an extra verse. The family history version would be appropriate for public conferences or performances.
Warning: You may want to have tissues on hand. I can’t sing this without crying!
Performance note: “Read” is pronounced “red” (the past tense).
You can also bookmark/save this song arrangement to your personal sacredsheetmusic bookmark save list.
Lyrics: I read your name – I saw the day that you were born
And something deep within me made me smile.
And though I can’t explain this deep inside me,
I think that I have known you for a while.
Chorus:I feel as though I know you some unseen, eternal way.
And I wait with calm assurance for that great and glorious day
When I cross the veil of darkness and I greet my family -
Maggie, you’ll be waiting there for me.
And so I asked a friend – my patriarch grandfather -
To tell me of the girl behind the name.
His eyes began to shine as he thought about the old days.
When a single tear was shed, he had no shame.
“Well, she was gentle, she was kind -
Full of cheerful songs and rhymes.
But God in His good wisdom took her home.”
It was 1894 with death at ev’ry door
And one September morning, Maggie died.
He slowly dried his eyes and said, “You’re much like she was.
Perhaps that’s why you feel the way you do.”
Then he gave me Maggie’s book – his sister’s prized possession saying,
“I know you love her like I do.”
Chorus:
Extra verse for the Temple version:
So here I am today inside this holy temple,
And Maggie, I have taken on your name
To do this sacred work. To give to you the gospel.
Please accept it Maggie, this I pray.
Chorus:
Maggie, you’ll be waiting there for me.
