The Promise and the Fallen Crown

Extended traditional country-gospel covenant ballad, 80 BPM, 3/4, E major turning toward C# minor in lament, Bubba unmistakably MALE seasoned storyteller; Darlene unmistakably FEMALE expressive mountain alto, alternating full narrative verses, Melody-picked acoustic, upright bass, fiddle, pedal steel and gospel piano, faint B3 early, Recovered Porch Light Rise Eadd9-C#m7-Aadd9-Bsus4-B7 under early praise; new C#m-A-F#m-G#7 lament, Keep all six verses clear; short steel links only, Remove drums and organ as crown falls, no forced triumphant reprise, Final brief doxology stays reverent amid unanswered questions

[Intro - Acoustic waltz; fiddle and piano]

[Verse 1 - Bubba, male solo]
I will sing Your lasting mercies,
Tell Your truth to coming years;
Faithfulness set in the heavens,
Love that stands beyond our fears.
You made covenant with David,
Swore Your servant's line would stay;
Built his throne through generations,
Like the sun that marks the day.

[Refrain - Duet]
God of Jacob, keep us mindful
Of the promise You have made;
We will tell Your faithfulness, Lord,
Even while our questions wait.

[Verse 2 - Darlene, female solo]
Who in heaven can stand beside You?
Who among the mighty compares?
Earth and heaven are Your making,
Justice undergirds Your chair.
You can still the sea in fury,
Crush the proud with mighty arm;
Blessed the people in Your favor,
Walking in Your shining dawn.

[Verse 3 - Bubba, male solo]
David, from the people chosen,
Holy oil upon his head;
You would strengthen and defend him,
Break the foes whose hate he met.
He would call You God and Father,
Rock of rescue, strong and near;
Firstborn, highest of earth's rulers,
Covenant love through all his years.

[Refrain - Duet]
God of Jacob, keep us mindful
Of the promise You have made;
We will tell Your faithfulness, Lord,
Even while our questions wait.

[Verse 4 - Darlene, female solo]
If his children left Your teaching,
You would visit sin with pain;
Yet Your mercy would not leave him,
You would not Your oath profane.
Moon and sun would bear the witness,
You had sworn and would not lie;
This the promise we remember
Underneath a darkened sky.

[Instrumental Link - Pedal steel; piano grows sparse]

[Verse 5 - Bubba, male solo]
But Your anointed lies rejected,
Crown dishonored on the ground;
All his walls are torn and broken,
Neighbors mock the ruin found.
You have made his foes rejoice now,
Turned his sword back in the fight;
Shortened youth and stripped his glory,
Cast his throne out of the light.

[Verse 6 - Darlene, female solo]
How long will Your anger burn, Lord?
Will You hide Yourself always?
Think how short our mortal time is;
Who can flee the grave's embrace?
Where the love You swore to David?
See the scorn Your servants bear;
All their taunts against Your anointed,
Lord, remember, hear this prayer.

[Final Refrain - Duet, no lift]
God of Jacob, keep us mindful
Of the promise You have made;
We will tell Your faithfulness, Lord,
Even while our questions wait.

[Outro - Duet, quietly]
Blessed be the Lord forever.
Amen and amen.

2436/7500

[Intro - Acoustic waltz; fiddle and piano] [Verse 1 - Bubba, male solo] I will sing Your lasting mercies, Tell Your truth to coming years; Faithfulness set in the heavens, Love that stands beyond our fears. You made covenant with David, Swore Your servant's line would stay; Built his throne through generations, Like the sun that marks the day. [Refrain - Duet] God of Jacob, keep us mindful Of the promise You have made; We will tell Your faithfulness, Lord, Even while our questions wait. [Verse 2 - Darlene, female solo] Who in heaven can stand beside You? Who among the mighty compares? Earth and heaven are Your making, Justice undergirds Your chair. You can still the sea in fury, Crush the proud with mighty arm; Blessed the people in Your favor, Walking in Your shining dawn. [Verse 3 - Bubba, male solo] David, from the people chosen, Holy oil upon his head; You would strengthen and defend him, Break the foes whose hate he met. He would call You God and Father, Rock of rescue, strong and near; Firstborn, highest of earth's rulers, Covenant love through all his years. [Refrain - Duet] God of Jacob, keep us mindful Of the promise You have made; We will tell Your faithfulness, Lord, Even while our questions wait. [Verse 4 - Darlene, female solo] If his children left Your teaching, You would visit sin with pain; Yet Your mercy would not leave him, You would not Your oath profane. Moon and sun would bear the witness, You had sworn and would not lie; This the promise we remember Underneath a darkened sky. [Instrumental Link - Pedal steel; piano grows sparse] [Verse 5 - Bubba, male solo] But Your anointed lies rejected, Crown dishonored on the ground; All his walls are torn and broken, Neighbors mock the ruin found. You have made his foes rejoice now, Turned his sword back in the fight; Shortened youth and stripped his glory, Cast his throne out of the light. [Verse 6 - Darlene, female solo] How long will Your anger burn, Lord? Will You hide Yourself always? Think how short our mortal time is; Who can flee the grave's embrace? Where the love You swore to David? See the scorn Your servants bear; All their taunts against Your anointed, Lord, remember, hear this prayer. [Final Refrain - Duet, no lift] God of Jacob, keep us mindful Of the promise You have made; We will tell Your faithfulness, Lord, Even while our questions wait. [Outro - Duet, quietly] Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen and amen.

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