If It Be Your Will
The Webb Sisters
A Prayer for Divine Will: The Webb Sisters' 'If It Be Your Will'
The Webb Sisters' rendition of 'If It Be Your Will' is a hauntingly beautiful plea for divine guidance and acceptance. The song, originally written by Leonard Cohen, is a prayer-like meditation on surrendering to a higher power. The lyrics express a deep sense of humility and submission, as the speaker offers to remain silent and still if that is the will of the divine. This act of surrender is not one of defeat but of profound faith and trust in a greater plan.
The imagery of a 'broken hill' and 'burning hearts in hell' evokes a sense of suffering and longing for redemption. The speaker's willingness to sing praises from a place of brokenness highlights the theme of finding grace and purpose even in the midst of pain. The repeated phrase 'If it be your will' underscores the conditional nature of the speaker's requests, emphasizing that everything is subject to the divine will. This reflects a deep spiritual yearning for connection and healing, not just for the individual but for all of humanity.
The song also touches on themes of mercy and unity. The plea for rivers to fill and hills to rejoice symbolizes a desire for renewal and joy. The imagery of 'children in their rags of light' suggests a vision of humanity clothed in divine grace, despite their imperfections. The final lines, 'And end this night, If it be your will,' convey a hope for an end to suffering and darkness, replaced by the light of divine love and mercy. The Webb Sisters' ethereal harmonies and delicate instrumentation add an extra layer of poignancy to this deeply spiritual and introspective song.