35. Levi's — Cash Gift
Today is 5 days from the first anniversary of Dad’s passing. I’ve committed to writing 40 stories about him as that day approaches. Forty Steady Stories.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time at Young Life’s Frontier Ranch in Colorado. One summer (1986?), I was on summer staff during college. I’d just started playing guitar and a bunch of us were sitting around in the dining area. A couple of guys and I were trading songs back and forth. I think I played something, and my friend Harmon said, “That reminds me of an Allen Levi song.”
I said, “Who’s Allen Levi?” having no clue who he was talking about.
Harmon invited me back into the kitchen and he took out his boom box, stuck in a tape that said, “SCCI” on it, looked at me and said, “You aren’t gonna believe this,” and hit play.
I still remember that moment — the first time I heard Allen Levi’s voice. He talked with the most authentic southern accent I’ve ever heard, but when he sang, it sincerely sounded like what I imagine an angel sounds like. So real and true.
I was overwhelmed with his talent for telling stories and weaving those into music. Harmon told me that Allen was a lawyer in Georgia but also was a prolific singer/songwriter/performer. The next day, I bought a copy of that tape and played it for Mom and Dad when I got home to Charlotte.
As the years passed, our family all got to meet Allen. He became a dear family friend, and my dad loved Allen enough that we all joked that he was our 4th Cash brother. Ed and Allen ended up doing a LOT of music together and also one of my favorite Christmas albums with Bebo Norman (Joy). Allen is still a dear, dear brother to me and our family.
Now, I had to tell you that story to tell you this one about Dad…
In November 2009, Dad got what I think he probably viewed as the highest honor he received in this life. At a ceremony in Colorado, he was awarded the Young Life President’s Award for his service to and love for that mission. Our whole family all went out for the ceremony in Colorado. And Young Life had asked Allen to secretly write a song for the occasion. Allen wrote the song, “Keep Him Steady” and sent it to Ed, Scott, and me to learn the chorus.
As part of the ceremony, Allen came up and said some kind words to Dad and then sang it with the “other” Cash brothers joining him on the chorus. It is a beautiful song, and I’ve included a link to it below (as well as the lyrics at the bottom).
This song means so much to me because when Allen wrote and sang it, we had no idea — not one clue — of what Dad would be going through in the years that followed. And now, looking back to that moment in 2009, I think of this line in the chorus: “Make him faithful till the battle’s fought and won. Keep him Steady — steady till the setting of the sun.”
The Lord gave Allen this song to give to Dad. All these years later, I am so thankful for how Allen’s prayer in this song came true for Dad. I’m grateful for music as a reminder of our journeys, for dear brothers like Allen Levi, and for God’s mercy in keeping Dad “Steady till the setting of the sun” on December 28, 2020.
As I look back on the years since Allen wrote this song for Dad, I realize there are four buckets the Lord used to sustain Dad and our family during the tougher times: faith, family, friendships, and music. Allen Levi fills up all four buckets for me. I love you man. Thanks for loving my Dad so well.
Click the button below to hear the song.
If you want to know more about Allen or listen to his music, stop by allenlevi.com. If you want a personal recommendation, I think this is the most beautiful project Allen has ever done. And his book, The Last Sweet Mile, about his brother Gary is as fine a read as you’ll find. If you want more, just contact me and I’ll point you in some directions for more about Allen. :)
The lyrics to Allen’s gift to Dad…
On the strong days, You have been his banner
On the long days, You have been his care
In his smiling eyes, We see Your reflection
And we thank You, Lord, and offer up this prayer
Make him able — strong to climb the mountain
Make him faithful —
till the battle’s fought and won, and
Keep him Steady — till the setting of sun.
Keep him steady till the setting of the sun.
For the light he’s been, he’s been to o so many
For the father he has been to blessed three
For the good friend, the friend who’s closer than a brother
We praise You Lord and offer up this plea,
Jesus, won’t You make him able and strong to climb the mountain
Make him faithful till the battle’s fought and won
And keep him Steady — steady till the setting of sun.
Keep them steady till the setting of the sun.
Lord, keep them Steady till the setting of the sun.
