I KNOW THE SECRET
(Sister Miriam Therese Winter)

I know the secret of the wind that turns my winter awry.
I know the secret of the storm that makes the child in me cry.
Wild, but not ever as bad as it seems.
There's warmth in the whirlwind that shatters my dreams.
It seldom passes me by.

I know the secret of the hearth that burns the whole winter long.
It feeds the fire in my heart and it enkindles my song.
Faith, so like timber, is gifted with light.
Promise of spring in a long winter night.
Its brightness leads me along.

I know the secret of the night coming down like a bride.
One day its dress will be white and every tear will be dried.
Sorrow and heartache will linger no more.
We'll know that newness that we've waited for,
When all our winters have died.

© 1966, Medical Mission Sisters, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania/Vanguard Music Corporation, owner of publication and allied rights.


Scripture reference: 1 Kings 19:11-12
Revelation 21:1-4

from the songbook, An Anthology of Scripture Songs, by Miriam Therese Winter, 1982


Sister Miriam Therese gave me permission to post this one song in the Forum, but was reluctant to give blanket permission for posting of songs on the Internet. Information about songbooks and recordings is available at http://mtwinter.hartsem.edu/. Sister Miriam Therese Winter is Professor of Liturgy, Worship, Spirituality, Feminist Studies; and Director of the Women's Leadership Institute at Hartford Seminary, Hartford, Connecticut.