Graham Kendrick Music | 3 months ago

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No Room at the World from 1974 album Paid on the Nail by singer/songwriter Graham Kendrick.

No Room at the World poignantly captures the story of Christ's birth and crucifixion, highlighting humanity's rejection of the divine. The song begins with the journey of Mary and Joseph, depicted as a young couple seeking refuge on a cold night. Despite Mary's imminent labour, they find no welcome, as innkeepers turn them away. They are left with nothing but a stable's straw, symbolising the world's indifference to the arrival of the Christ child.

The refrain, "There's no room at the world," echoes throughout, challenging listeners to reflect on their own openness to the presence of Christ. The narrative shifts to Christ's crucifixion, drawing a parallel between His birth and death - both marked by rejection and cruelty. It captures the betrayal in the garden, the violence of the crowd, and the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

The song closes with a stark reminder of modern life's distractions - work, busyness, and material pursuits - questioning whether we too have "no room" for the child in our lives. "No Room at the World" is a call to self-reflection, asking each of us to consider if we make space in our hearts for the transformative message of Christ.

Originally released on the Key Records label, ‘Paid on the Nail’ was Graham’s third album and a landmark in his ministry.

It continued the acoustic/folky style which had been Graham’s hallmark in his earlier recordings but also introduced a wider variety and subtlety of arrangements and other instruments including Peter Roe on the Moog synthesiser. The songs were written while Graham was part of a team ministry called ‘In the name of Jesus’ who engaged in evangelism and church renewal around the UK.

Song lyrics and MP3 download:

https://grahamkendrick.co.uk/no-room-at-the-world-i-saw-a-precious-load/

I saw a precious load on a lonely road when the sky was clear and cold
The donkey stumbled, the young man held reins
Well, the girl she looked down and her face was white
She knew her time was near
Hoping for a welcome smile and the warmth of a room and the cry of a child

But there’s no room at the world
There’s no place for the child
There’s no room at the world
How about you?
How about you?
How about you?

Well the innkeeper laughed and his eyes were cold
The girl began to cry
That’s just another way of saying ‘please’
So he threw down some straw on the cattle floor
And chased the hens away
Turned and slammed the stable door behind
Shook his head in the starlight

But there’s no room at the world
There’s no place for the child
There’s no room at the world
How about you?
How about you?
How about you?

Well, it was late and cold in the garden grove
When the soldiers came in view And Judas smiled as they took Him from behind
And the priest said: ‘kill’ and the crowd went wild
On their bloody holiday
They whipped Him and they stripped Him
And they left Him there on the cross to die

But there’s no room at the world
There’s no place for the child
There’s no room at the world
How about you?
How about you?
How about you?

There’s no room (Too busy working now) at the world (not enough time for you)
There’s no place (Got to make money for) for the child (filling up houses now)
There’s no room (Rushing and hurrying), at the world (working and worrying)
How about you? (Earning and spending it), how about you? (beginning and ending it)
How about you?

Still there's no room at the world

Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1974 Make Way Music,
www.grahamkendrick.co.uk

Released:
1974 (Key Records)

Producer:
John Pantry

Recorded at:
R G Jones Studios, London and Echo Studios, Eastbourne

Musicians:
Graham Kendrick - Acoustic Guitar
Peter Roe - Moog Synthesiser
Nick Ryan - Bass Guitar
Mike Wade - Drums
Ken Freeman - String Synthesiser