Poem suggests Bono came to faith at a Billy Graham crusade

 AP Photo/Odd Andersen

A poem written by U2 frontman Bono has emerged, written after a visit to the preacher's home in 2002. The Billy Graham Library in North Carolina, which displays the letter, released the poem to coincide with U2's new album release. 

Bono frequently talks about his Christian faith, and his lyrics are full of Christian imagery and themes. The poem suggests that Billy Graham played a role in his finding faith as a teenager. Graham preached at numerous enormous rallies in the UK in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

The poem reads:

The journey from Father to friend
is all paternal loves end
It was sung in my teenage ears
In the voice of a preacher
loudly soft on my tears
I would never forget this
Melody line
Or its lyric voice that gave my life
A Rhyme
a meaning that wasn't there before
a child born in dung and straw
wish the Father's love and desire to explain
how we might get on with each other again...

To the Rev Billy Graham (that preacher)
Ruth and all the Graham family
From Bono (March 11 2002)
With much love and respect

Previously Bono has given tribute to the preacher in the introduction to a song, 'Thank you Billy Graham', saying: "At a time when religion seems so often to get in the way of God's work with its shopping mall sales pitch and its bumper sticker reductionism, I give thanks just for the sanity of Billy Graham for that clear empathetic voice of his, in that Southern Accent, part poet part preacher, a singer of the human spirit, I would say. I give thanks for Billy Graham. Thank you, Billy Graham."

related articles
Billy Graham\'s last message to the American people: \'Our country\'s in great need of spiritual awakening\'
Billy Graham's last message to the American people: 'Our country's in great need of spiritual awakening'

Billy Graham's last message to the American people: 'Our country's in great need of spiritual awakening'

Billy Graham to release new video message, \'Heaven\' for 96th birthday
Billy Graham to release new video message, 'Heaven' for 96th birthday

Billy Graham to release new video message, 'Heaven' for 96th birthday

Billy Graham\'s grandson: \'Evangelicals hurt by their association with religious right\'
Billy Graham's grandson: 'Evangelicals hurt by their association with religious right'

Billy Graham's grandson: 'Evangelicals hurt by their association with religious right'

News
Church leaders call on Russia to return Ukrainian children
Church leaders call on Russia to return Ukrainian children

The forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia was described as a “deep wound inflicted upon the image of God".

Nearly 40% of Gen Z women identify as atheist, agnostic or have no faith - Barna
Nearly 40% of Gen Z women identify as atheist, agnostic or have no faith - Barna

As they grapple with a profound disconnection from their parents and older adults in general, nearly 40% of young adult women in Generation Z — those born between 1999 and 2015 — now identify as religiously unaffiliated, according to new data released by Barna Research.

Cultivating the fruits of the Spirit: peace in the chaos
Cultivating the fruits of the Spirit: peace in the chaos

Continuing our journey through the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), we now turn to another precious gift — peace.

Nordic Catholic Church offers 'refuge' to conservative Anglicans in Church of England
Nordic Catholic Church offers 'refuge' to conservative Anglicans in Church of England

The fallout from the appointment of a woman with liberal values as Archbishop of Canterbury continues.