thatcrazycajun | Dunno what you'd call this exactly...but at least part of it is mine

This has always been one of my favorite serious songs of the holiday season...and somehow I forgot to include it in this list I posted last year around this time. Not long after the 9/11 horror, I found myself attending the annual Ohio Valley Filk Fest for that year, and tacking on some new original verses to this old chestnut. Catch me tonight down to the old Wegener place and you might get to hear me sing it.

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH
Original music and lyrics (verse #1) by Sy Miller & Jill Jackson ©1955 Jan-Lee Music, renewed 1983
Additional lyrics (verses #2-3) by Matt G. Leger

1. Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we;
Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.
** ALT: With God our Creator, his children all are we;
or
The Earth is our Mother, her children all are we;
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now;
With ev'ry step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.

2. Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me;
Let no one's rights or worth depend on the skin I see.
When all 'round is darkness and fear grips hearts with cold,
Let me say, "Death and terror shall not on me take hold."

Let peace begin with me, and spread forth to ev'ry land;
With ev'ry day I live, let me honor Christ's command
**ALT: With ev'ry day I live, let me heed my heart’s command...
To love each person and treat each person like my own family --
Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.

3. Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me;
Let all men find my face of anger and hatred free.
When home fires are threatened, defend them strong we must,
But let us not do battle unless our cause be just.

Let peace begin with me, and flower in ev'ry heart;
Whom God has made one race, let nothing dare tear apart.
**ALT: We are one human race; let nothing tear us apart...
And let each nation unto each nation give peace and liberty --
Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.

New lyrics ©2001 by Matt G. Leger. Reproduction and redistribution of lyrics alone permitted freely as long as all credits maintained unedited. Public performance or recording for profit requires permission from all copyright holders. No infringement of existing copyrights is intended or should be inferred.