Burl Ives - Are ye able ? (said the Master)



Are ye able, said the Master,

To be crucified with Me?

Yea, the sturdy dreamers answered,

To the death we follow Thee. 



Refrain

Lord, we are able.  Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be

A beacon to God, to love and loyalty. 

Are you able to relinquish

Purple dreams of power and fame,

To go down into the garden,

Or to die a death of shame? 





Refrain

Lord, we are able.  Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be

A beacon to God, to love and loyalty. 

Are ye able, when the anguish

Racks your mind and heart with pain,

To forgive the souls who wrong you,

Who would make your striving vain? 





Refrain

Lord, we are able.  Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be

A beacon to God, to love and loyalty. 

Are ye able to remember,

When a thief lifts up his eyes,

That his pardoned soul is worthy

Of a place in paradise? 





Refrain

Lord, we are able.  Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be

A beacon to God, to love and loyalty. 

Are ye able when the shadows

Close around you with the sod,

To believe that spirit triumphs,

To commend your soul to God? 





Refrain

Lord, we are able.  Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be

A beacon to God, to love and loyalty. 

Are ye able? Still the Master

Whispers down eternity,

And heroic spirits answer,

Now as then in Galilee. 





Refrain

Lord, we are able.  Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be

A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.