How To Win Through Surrender

{ We are just four people who like to make music together and thus…pass on a piece of God’s love. — La Diju }

German Cowgirls La Diju

La Diju is a Dresden-based girls band that sings songs like Why Me Lord.

For nearly 30 years, I have loved the song No Surrender by Bruce Springsteen.

Well, now young faces grow sad and old
And hearts of fire grow cold
We swore blood brothers against the wind
Now I’m ready to grow young again
And hear your sister’s voice calling us home
Across the open yards
Well maybe we’ll cut someplace of own
With these drums and these guitars

‘Cause we made a promise we swore we’d always remember
No retreat, baby, no surrender

I’ve almost equally loved Corey Hart’s Never Surrender from the same era:

And when the night is cold and dark
You can see, you can see light
Cause no one can take away your right
To fight and to never surrender

But, there’s a story about surrender that defies these anthems, which I have repeated many times throughout my life and even on this blog. If you’re in the midst of a great battle this story is for you. It is also for me at this point in time.

Between May 27 and June 4, 1940, British troops were evacuated from Dunkirk, France. It was either die or be captured, so they retreated from the Germans. In so doing, they left behind antiquated equipment and surrendered the beaches and harbor of the northerly town.

This operation — this retreating and surrendering and admitting of weakness and defeat — actually left the “whole root and core and brain” of the British Army intact. It’s commonly referred to as the Miracle of Dunkirk

The British recouped and retrained, and eventually, with the help of 10 million Americans, defeated the Germans in North Africa, Italy, Stalingrad, in the Battle of Britain and on the famed beaches of Normandy.  From their retreat and surrender came ultimate victory.

So, I think I’m going to stop saying no surrender because surrender can be the very thing that leaves the whole of me in tact. Maybe the same is true for you.

Lord help me Jesus.

Today, I was thinking about this song I’ve heard my brother, Billy, sing a thousand times: Why Me. Nobody sings it better than he does. Not Johnny Cash and not Kris Kristofferson. When I looked for it on YouTube, I pulled up a rendition by La Diju, a  girl band from Dresden, Germany. They don’t sing with the sorrow or love or surrender that my brother has, but they do a wonderful job. Very sweet and memorable, I think. Please have a listen. They have 137 fans on Facebook. I think if they keep singing like this, they will find many more.

By the way, Oklahoma (where I live) is a big travel destination for Germans who love cowboy culture. Maybe someday, these German cowgirls will find their way here, too.

Why me Lord,
what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I’ve known
Tell me Lord,
what did I ever do
That was worth loving you
Or the kindness you’ve shown.

Lord help me Jesus, I’ve wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I’ve need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul’s in your hand.

Tell me Lord,
if you think there’s a way
I can try to repay
All I’ve taken from you
Maybe Lord,
I can show someone else
What I’ve been through myself
On my way back to you…

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Gen X Blog Jennifer Chronicles

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2 Comments

  1. TerritoryMom

    Sweet girl,
    Another beautiful version is Travis Tritt’s. Bless his heart he sang at George Jones’ memorial service and it was wonderful. The amazing Sammy Smith and Kris K. go hand in hand. Maybe it is because I’m an Okie. The 70’s were a difficult time for me as a child, but the album “Jesus was a Capricorn” some how got me through it. The album is still in my mom’s old sterio console along with my “Donald Clark Osmond” album and my sister’s “Paper Roses” and of course “Saturday night Fever”. Have a great Mother’s Day.

    Reply
  2. Brett

    Cool. Hope it brings some notice to them as well. And “No Surrender” is one of my favorite Springsteen tunes also.

    Reply

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