Oldies but goodies from Fred Small

Here are a pair of Fred Small (make that Rev. Fred Small now) songs certainly applicable today:

"We have cleared off the table, the leftovers saved,
Washed the dishes and put them away
I have told you a story and tucked you in tight
At the end of your knockabout day

As the moon sets it's sails to carry you to sleep
Over the midnight sea
I will sing you a song no one sang to me
May it keep you good company.

Chorus:
You can be anybody you want to be,
You can love whomever you will
You can travel any country where your heart leads
And know I will love you still
You can live by yourself, you can gather friends around,
You can choose one special one
And the only measure of your words and your deeds
Will be the love you leave behind when you're done.

There are girls who grow up strong and bold
There are boys quiet and kind
Some race on ahead, some follow behind
Some go in their own way and time

Some women love women, some men love men
Some raise children, some never do
You can dream all the day never reaching the end
Of everything possible for you.

Don't be rattled by names, by taunts, by games
But seek out spirits true
If you give your friends the best part of yourself
They will give the same back to you.

Chorus"

"The echoes of childhood whisper violence
Cold wind beating out of the past
Rage in your throat, muffled silence
Hold on, I will stand fast

In the darkness your guardians had left you 
Cold wind beating out of the past
None to hear your cries, none to defend you 
Hold on I will stand fast

I will stand fast, I will stand fast
You are safe in the daylight at last
Nightmare and fear, they have no power here
I will stand fast

I will listen to the terrors that tried you 
I will cradle the child that breathes inside you
Though you take the shape of a hundred ancient horrors 
Though you strike at me and flee into your sorrow
Hold on I will stand fast 

I will stand fast, I will stand fast
You are safe in the daylight at last
Nightmare and fear, they have no power here
I will stand fast

Birds flash upon a branch in winter
Cold wind beating out of the past 
Ice in the sun begins to splinter
You will walk with no fetters to bind you 
Cold wind beating out of the past
All the love you have wanted will find you

I will stand fast, I will stand fast
You are safe in the daylight at last
Nightmare and fear, they have no power here
I will stand fast
I will stand fast"