The Bread of Tears: Gospel Lament, “Soon Will Be Done with the Trouble of this World”
The Bread of Tears: Gospel Lament, “Soon will Be Done with the Trouble of this World”
“Those who sow their tears as seeds will reap a harvest with joyful shouts of glee. They may weep as they go out carrying their seed to sow, but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting with gladness as they bring back armloads of blessing and a harvest overflowing!” (Psalm 126:5-6, TPT).
The Miracle of Tears. Each of us as human beings share a spectacular miracle… We each have been gifted by our Creator God with the ability to shed tears. And not merely one type of tear, but three kinds of tears, all of them benefitting us in different ways that, being so common, are easily taken for granted. First there are the Basal tears which are constantly produced to keep our eyes lubricated and moist, and which also provide much-needed nutrients to the cornea. Secondly are the Reflex tears that are triggered by irritants which wash away debris like dust and foreign objects, sooth our eyes from smoke, and prevent further irritation by giving our eyes time to heal up from the irritation. Amazingly too, Reflex tears contain antibodies to fight bacteria and avoid infection in our eyes. Finally, there are the Emotional tears which are released during times of strong emotions both positive and negative, such as anger, joy, sorrow, relief, fear, high stress, grief, and when something is felt deeply and needs expression. Emotional tears are a special gift of our creator God, because they contain protein-based hormones that act as natural painkillers; a higher protein content to strengthen the eyes and keep them healthy; neurotransmitters that effect the ability to remember, to learn, to focus and pay attention, and release harmful stress. Emotional tears are a divine gift because it helps us express ourselves in healthy ways that are difficult to express any other way. Regardless of the kind of tear, they all contain enzymes that promote healing and maintain the health of our eyes. All tears are basically a water-based liquid that contain .3 mg of salt which have electrolytes and salt particles like sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. God is certainly the Lord of the Details when it comes to something as common yet complex as human tears.
Gospel Song of Hopeful Lament – “Soon Will Be Done with the Trouble of This World.”
This gospel classic is said to be “traditional,” with an unknown composer. It was included in a 1940 compilation entitled “American Negro Folk Songs,” and has been a mainstay in gospel music ever since. As with many traditional songs, the lyrics and arrangements might be altered somewhat by whomever is performing the song.
Trouble of this World (Gospel) from the movie “Ladykillers”
LYRICS – Soon Will Be Done
Soon will be done with the trouble of this world, trouble of this world, trouble of this world.
Soon will be done with the trouble of this world, Going home to live with God (my Lord).
No more weepin’ and wailin’ (3x), Going home to live with God (my Lord).
I want to see my mother (3x), Going home to live with God (my Lord).
I want to meet King Jesus (3x), Goin home to live with God (my Lord).
Going up to see King Jesus, will take his loving hand, will tell him all about my troubles, travelin’ through this land.
Soon will be done with the trouble of this world, trouble of this world, trouble of this world.
Soon will be done with the trouble of this world, Going home to live with God (my Lord).
Mahalia Jackson. Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) is a towering legend in gospel music. At one point she was called the world’s greatest gospel singer, and has been considered since her death as the “Queen of Gospel.” She grew up in New Orleans and started singing in her Baptist church at a young age. At the age of 20 she moved to Chicago and remained there for the rest of her life. She toured the churches singing gospel music and started recording in her 20’s. She soon graduated to concert halls because of her beautiful contralto voice and stage presence, and her growing international acclaim. Mahalia recorded 30 albums during her career, and was awarded four Grammy’s. Because of her popularity and her civil rights activism, she was once called “the single most powerful black woman in America.” She often traveled with Dr. Martin Luther King and sang before his speeches, because Mahalia was MLK’s favorite singer. She sang in the 1963 Civil Rights March in Washington, D.C. with Dr. King. Mahalia was sitting right behind Martin during his speech, and she quietly said to him, “Martin, tell them about your dream!” Dr. King took her advice and spontaneously spoke his powerful conclusion to one of the most famous speeches in American history. Mahalia was constantly touring the United States and Europe, and would sometimes have to delay a concert from simple exhaustion. Throughout her career she was determined to never sing secular music, only gospel, and she stayed true to her convictions till the day she died. Mahalia Jackson died in 1972 from complications from a heart condition and diabetes. She has remained the North Star for all gospel musicians ever since.