I have always loved Gospel music, even though it's not part of my Catholic tradition. During my 8 years in a Catholic seminary, we had a group called the Rolling Lambs. They'd gather us around a piano, and we'd drink beer and sing our little hearts out on gospel music.
I started going to the FSGW Getaway in 1999, and I always went to the Sunday gospel sing. Dick Levine was almost always there, and he almost always sang the song of Isaac, "Ram in the Thicket." Dick and I loved that song. Dick's gone now, but I'd like to make sure the song lives on.
Does anybody know who wrote this wonderful song? Was it Shelley Posen?

RAM IN THE THICKET
(Shelley Posen)

Now in the Bible, so I've read,
God spoke to Abraham and thus He said,
"Before three days are past and gone,
You must sacrifice Isaac, your beloved son."

[chorus]
Don't despair, there's a ram in the thicket,
God is there, there's a ram in the thicket,
He hears your prayer, there's a ram in the thicket,
There's a ram in the thicket by the grace of God

Next morning Abraham did depart
With a grieving soul and an aching heart
He took young Isaac by the hand
But he didn't tell his son about his God's command

"Father, for this sacrifice
I see the fire and I see the knife
But where's the ram?" young Isaac cried,
"Oh, my son, God will provide"

Abraham, he bound his son,
And laid him down upon the altar stone
He raised the knife to do God's command
But God called, "Abraham, stay thy hand"

Abraham freed the son he loved
He proved his faith in his God above
And if your faith is strong and true
There's a ram in the thicket will be waiting for you


credits
from Two in a Garden, released September 1, 2021
© 2000 Shelley Posen, Well Done Music, BMI license
all rights reserved

source: https://beckyandnicole.bandcamp.com/track/ram-in-the-thicket
Two in a Garden, by Becky and Nicole


We learned this “old testament gospel” song from Richard Levine, and we think of him fondly whenever we sing it.


So Becky and Nicole also learned this song from the enthusiastic singing of Dick Levine. I loved that guy. May he rest in peace.