For a Time Like This: Byron O’Donnell

In this week’s music podcast we feature two songs from Byron O'Donnell: "Beautiful Mercy", and Steve Bell's cover of "He Will Know".

The song “Beautiful Mercy” gave us the title for our 2009 book and CD project, Beautiful Mercy: a book of hours. Recorded on his portable keyboard in his little apartment in Dryden, Ontario, when Byron offered this song to the project it was immediately clear to us that he’d also provided us with the best book title we could have asked for.

Steve Bell's cover of the song "He Will Know" appeared on his 2008 Devotion album. Written by Byron along with Brian Wakelin, the lyrics of this song speak poignantly into our days of pandemic and social upheaval.

Byron O’Donnell, Larry Campbell, Jamie Howison, and Steve Bell in Dryden, 2018

Byron is what you might call a "long distance" member of the saint ben's community, having moved away from Winnipeg well over a decade ago but still keeping very much in touch with us via email and our web presence. We're grateful to be able to share this music with you.

Beautiful Mercy - Music and Lyrics by Byron O'Donnell

At the end of the evening, when I'm down on my knees
I speak to my Saviour.... He listens to me.
And this beautiful mercy, gives me all that I need
And that's the heart of the matter, between Jesus and me.

In the cool of the morning, before the sun hits it's stride
While the light is still gathering, before the night finally hides.
In this beautiful mercy, that allows me to see.
Is the heart of the matter, between Jesus and me.

Beautiful mercy... beautiful me.
Oh Beautiful mercy, beautiful me.

Like the edge of big water, this whole world seems to be.
Constantly in transition, like the sand and the sea.
And this beautiful mercy, that continues to be.
Is the heart of the matter between Jesus and me.

Beautiful mercy...beautiful me.
Oh beautiful mercy...beautiful me.

At Carlos and Murphy’s for dinner after Byron’s baptism.

He Will Know – Music and Lyric by Byron O’Donnell and Brian Wakelin

When your heart is in despair
He will know
When you feel beyond repair
He will know
When your day is filled with tears
He will hear
When your night is filled with fear
He is near
When this world leaves you behind
He will know
When it all seems so unkind
He will know

Please visit our post with links to all of these music podcasts.