[Warm applause; ringing electric guitar and piano begin an open phrase] [Spoken - Vox, warm and personal] Before this becomes a debate, it's an invitation between friends. Augustine writes to Romanianus, who had helped him and was carrying troubles of his own. Romanianus's son, Licentius, is with the group. When Augustine imagines the father joining their search for wisdom, the son begins to weep, and nearly everyone joins him. Behind the arguments are people who love each other. This song lets us hear that invitation in Augustine's voice. Receive This Song. [Piano and guitar complete the phrase; bass and drums enter the rock arrangement] [Verse 1] To you, Romanianus, I send this gift Not gold, not silver, but words I’ve writ A friend in struggle, a friend in need Together we search what wisdom decrees [Pre-Chorus] This is no idle work of mine But offered to a soul aligned [Chorus] Receive this song, my dearest friend Our hearts for wisdom will not bend Through doubt and trial, truth we’ll find The peace of God will light the mind [Verse 2] Not wealth of earth, nor fleeting fame But joy in truth shall be our aim Your burden heavy, your spirit tried Take strength in this, with me beside [Pre-Chorus] No treasure greater can I bestow Than words of wisdom, seeds to grow [Chorus] Receive this song, my dearest friend Our hearts for wisdom will not bend Through doubt and trial, truth we’ll find The peace of God will light the mind [Expressive melodic guitar solo] [Final Chorus] Receive this song, my dearest friend Our hearts for wisdom will not bend Through doubt and trial, truth we’ll find The peace of God will light the mind [Complete resolving band cadence; warm appreciative applause] [Original song and final cadence finish; let the applause settle] [Soft piano and clean guitar hold a gentle instrumental bed] [Spoken - Vox, conversational] That invitation to a friend brings us to the man behind these songs. Let's rewind sixteen hundred years, to the Roman Empire. Christianity had already been around for centuries. Augustine was a teacher from North Africa who became a Christian and later a bishop, a leader in the church. His books helped shape Christianity, philosophy, and even how people tell the story of their own lives. People still wrestle with his ideas about truth, freedom, memory, time, and love. But he also knew ambition, doubt, and the long search for a life that satisfies. We sing his writings because those questions are still ours. The songs are an invitation to meet the ideas, open the books, and seek God with us. Augustine wrote this dialogue before his baptism, while living in the country with friends and students. They ask whether seeking truth is enough for happiness, or whether we need to find it. [Brief pause; gentle instrumental phrase completes before the next song]
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