The Old Guitar

Remembering Frankie, By Angeline Duran Santiago

Found that guitar, asleep in it's case,

How foolishly I forgot the sacrifice,

Paid by the one who loved me so much,

Found that guitar, asleep in it's case.

Opened it up, "Wake up!" I said,

"It's time to sing out. You are not dead."

My heart was filled with sorrow to hear

Old strings, abandoned, without any cheer.

Tried and I tried, to tune that guitar,

It said, "Let me be, I've been silent thus far."

But, I heard his voice say, "I didn't give it for silence.

Pick up that guitar and move with defiance!"

Excuse me while I play and it sounds like a war dance.

Wiped it, dusted it, even cried,

So many years abandoned, His gift to me, Why?

Did I let it slumber, laid it down to die,

I held my guitar, together we cried.

New strings, get them, set them right

Get ready to awaken the heavens tonight,

I'm gonna sing you a song, join in harmony,

Together, let's praise, the King of Kings!

Excuse me while I play and rock the heavens this time!

When my finger are hurting,

And the stars have heard enough

I will sing you a love song

With all that mushy stuff,

I know you will smile, 

And you will say,

"I'm so glad you took out that guitar from it's case.

I'm so glad you took out that guitar from it's case."

Got me new strings, tuned my old, black guitar

Started singing my praise, didn't get very far,

Lord, I love you, I do, but, this I request,

Take care of my love, his gift was the best.

Forgive me while I play my love a song, as I remember him.

-Angeline

In 1992, I attended a church that didn't have musicians. My brother, Tito, was beyond kind and taught me a few chords on the guitar. I longed to serve God in so many ways. That year, Frankie lost his job and still, he continued to pay for his gift to me, one I had no idea he had sacrificed so much to give me. Christmas 1992, with the news that we were going to be parents to Aaron, Frankie gave me the most beautiful black guitar. 

For years, I was privileged to play that guitar and lead worship to the Lord. All because of Frankie's heart for me and his love for the Lord. He always wanted me to follow what was in my heart. Years later, I was no longer needed to play and so the guitar took it's place under my bed or in the closet. I would take it out sometimes just to have my own time with the Lord, or to play for the holidays. Now, with Frankie gone, I have heard the guitar remind me to pick it up and play for the Lord in my home the way I used to. These verses are in gratitude for one of the best gifts I ever received. Thank you, Frankie.