I Traveled Down a Lonely Road

It was one of those times when I would start to feel that the people I was working with did not appreciate how hard I was working to solve the problems they had created before I arrived.  I would sometimes take those feelings home with me. Eva knew it was a phase I would get through, and the company would be more appreciative when the project was completed. Her words always helped me get up the next day with a positive outlook for the day.

What I did not know was that she started working on a new song she thought would help me during the stressful period. One Sunday morning, Eva sang the new song as the special music. I did not know that she was scheduled to sing a solo, and I have no recording from that service. I was checking some files from her old practice cassette tapes and discovered this recording. Eva did not play any of her practice recordings for anyone, and she would not be happy with me sharing this recording. It took me some searching to find the lyrics to the song, but it is a practice version and could be hard to understand.

I wanted to share this because that was who she was to me.

I traveled down a lonely road And no one seemed to care

I traveled down a lonely road And no one seemed to care;
The burden on my weary back Had bowed me to despair,
I oft complained to Jesus How folks were treating me,
And then I heard Him say so tenderly,
“My feet were also weary, Upon the Calv’ry road;
The cross became so heavy, I fell beneath the load,
Be faithful weary pilgrim, The morning I can see,
Just lift your cross and follow close to me.”

“I work so hard for Jesus” I often boast and say,
“I’ve sacrificed a lot of things To walk the narrow way,
I gave up fame and fortune, I’m worth a lot to Thee,”
And then I hear Him gently say to me.
“I left the throne of glory And counted it but loss,
My hands were nailed in anger Upon a cruel cross,
But now we’ll make the journey With your hand safe in mine,
So lift your cross and follow close to me.

Oh, Jesus if I die upon A foreign field some day,
‘Twould be no more than love demands No less could I repay,
“No greater love hath mortal man Than for a friend to die”
These are the words He gently spoke to me,
“If just a cup of water I place within your hand
Then just a cup of water Is all that I demand,”
But if by death to living They can thy glory see,
I’ll take my cross and follow close to thee.