Lyrics
Two Jameses
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Verse
The Lord called James, and James again —
two men who bore one name;
one known to us, one hid from men,
one still, and one of fame.
One’s father was old Zebedee,
who kept the men and boat;
the other’s was Alphaeus — he is named;
there is no note.
Chorus
Thou choosest whom Thou wilt, and none
can read Thy reasons through;
two men named James — and are we one
that Thou art choosing too?
Verse
One James was one of only three
who went with Him to pray;
with Peter and with John stood he;
the nine were told to stay.
Upon the mount he saw the Lord
in raiment white as snow;
then asked for fire from heaven, poured
on those who told Him no.
Chorus
Thou choosest whom Thou wilt, and none
can read Thy reasons through;
two men named James — and are we one
that Thou art choosing too?
Verse
The other James was sent out too,
to preach, to heal, to pray;
but not one word he spoke comes through;
no page has marked his way.
Why did the Lord choose him? What eye
saw what we never knew?
James, son of Alphaeus, reply —
so tell us, who were you?
Chorus
Thou choosest whom Thou wilt, and none
can read Thy reasons through;
two men named James — and are we one
that Thou art choosing too?
Bridge
Alphaeus had another son,
who took the tax each day;
were James and Matthew kin? No one
on earth can rightly say.
Two fathers: Alpha, Zebedee —
the letters first and last;
and One who owns them both.
Is He the thread that holds them fast?
Chorus
Thou choosest whom Thou wilt, and none
can read Thy reasons through;
two men named James — and are we one
that Thou art choosing too?
Verse
We know the one: the boat, the mount,
the fire, the cup, the sword;
the other leaves us no account,
and not a single word.
Yet both were promised thrones that day,
and both of them the same:
the one we know, the one whose way
has left one thing: a name.
Chorus
Thou choosest whom Thou wilt, and none
can read Thy reasons through;
two men named James — and are we one
that Thou art choosing too?
Music and lyrics: Public Domain / CC0 1.0 Universal · Sound recording: Public Domain / CC0 1.0 Universal.