Your bio refers to Larry Norman.  I also grew up in the church with built-in audience where playing Larry Norman was teenage rebellion.  This helps me understand your songs.  But I don’t recall his songs being as weighty as yours.  

A friend sent me here.  Think I'll see if he and I can do this with cello.

Beautiful and insightful song from a Christian pilgrim's perspective of the cross that bore the body of the Blessed One, and the long shadow it casts over the centuries, before (Genesis 3, Isaiah 53 et.al.) and long after Jesus crucifixion.  Beautiful song Johnny for Lent and Easter.

Thank you so much for that well thought out and beautiful comment David, truly appreciate it!

@tabaskoo: Hey Bas...thank you so much! And the same for you and your family...will be coming back to listen to your tracks here!

hey Johnny, i still love this song, so beautiful.

@aprilandthedrift: Thank you so much and I'm so sorry to reply this late. I really appreciate it and I do hope to hope to have a few songs on within the coming months.

In the Shadow of the Cross 
Words and Music by Pravinand Maharaj aka Johnny Minstrel

Far away and I can feel
That distant moan inside of me
A darkened window I must be
When the full light of moon is lost
Far away as in a dream
I’m half there and cannot scream
As if behind an iron screen
In the shadow of the cross

Far away and close at hand
Lofty kingdoms in the sand
On the trail the saved and damned
Are overcome by violent force
Far away and faith still grieves
Blessed are they who will not leave
Who have not seen and still believe
In the shadow of the cross

Far away in time and space
Yet so near to touch my face
Still so near my tears to trace
Every time I count the cost
Far away beyond the mile
Without a coat is winter’s child
The smitten brave will rest awhile
In the shadow of the cross

Far away and blood is rain
Mocking tongues in cold disdain
Weave with deceit a web of shame
And laugh at love’s unnatural course
Far away the dead will rise
Wounded hands will touch blind eyes
Defiled no more nor beauty dies
In the shadow of the cross

In The Shadow Of The Cross

I'm a singer-songwriter from Durban, South Africa. Having being raised in the church I was advantaged with a ready-made audience. Their kindness, patience and ecouragement gave me the confidence to improve my songwriting and to take it quite seriously. At times when the lyrics had a touch of controversy, they never thought it scandalous, which further encouraged me to write on social issues, love songs, and songs with just a story. 
By my mid-teens I was heavily influenced by the hippy gospel songwriter Larry Norman, which may explain why into my 50's I still have long hair! Through his music I learned that songs do have a greater purpose. 
As a young upstart I was blessed with a kind and forgiving congregation. Today I'm blessed with a very tolerant family and a bunch of great friends. I love what I do!



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