Main Street or 5th Avenue

This is another song I recently wrote called “Main Street or 5th Avenue” which was born out of prayer, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and personal experience.  It describes our ability as followers of Jesus to befriend any person from any background without fear of being compromised by them, either in the small town setting (Main Street) or the city (5th Avenue).  This song speaks directly to the concept in Ridder Church Renewal of crossing boundaries and reaching the “other side.”    Cory Grimm

Within the urban centers and across the countryside, there still exists an old, disturbing trend

I might show you kindness, you might offer me a ride; but heads would turn if we became friends

They’d say we’re much too different, our worldviews are not the same,

and by all rights we should be mortal enemies

Because crossing ancient boundaries and drifting from our lanes is like chopping down old familiar trees

But something draws us closer, a force we cannot understand, some kind of cosmic curiosity

We’re searching for directions to elusive Promised Lands, described by Moses and by Dr. King

There are strongholds in the cities, and fortresses in towns, always preserving what is comfortable and safe

But foundations are eroding and old walls are falling down, as we march together keeping up the faith

I will walk with you down Main Street or 5th Avenue; it doesn’t matter what the people say

Small town or city street, we’ll smile at everyone we meet; I wouldn’t have it any other way

We started spending time together, like normal friends will do; at first we thought no one seemed to mind

Your circle was accepting me, and mine showed love to you, but then we both got wounded from behind

Sometimes the biggest obstacles to realizing peace are not the soldiers fighting on the other side

When you wave the white flag and hostilities cease, there still might be the threat of friendly fire

I will walk with you down Main Street or 5th Avenue; it doesn’t matter what the people say

We’ll stroll along without a care, even if they stop and stare; with each step we’re overcoming hate

We’ll change the world on both 5th Avenue and Main

We think we know a person by their culture, class, and race; we pack them in our boxes neat and nice

We overlook the sacred stories written on each face; we dismiss the holy longings in their eyes

Cause’ when we make our judgments, it’s ourselves we idolize, sitting on our thrones like manmade deities

In the waters of forgiveness, let us be baptized; in true communion, let us be set free

I will walk with you down Main Street or 5th Avenue; it doesn’t matter what the people say

The two of us make quite the pair; we’ll stretch the bounds of savoir faire;

and gather other friends along the way

I will walk with you down Main Street or 5th Avenue; it doesn’t matter what the people say

Small town or city street, we’ll smile at everyone we meet; I wouldn’t have it any other way

Let’s change the world on both 5th Avenue and Main

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