The sound of history humming – but what next, ‘a thief within the night’?
Matthew 24: 43
1 The sound of history humming,
as light and matter form,
as galaxies are clustered
within a cosmic storm;
philosophers imagine
while science gathers facts,
we reach for understanding,
yet what we know contracts.
2 We delved beyond the present
through interstellar gas;
we fathom, seek to measure,
a sub-atomic mass.
The God that we conceive of,
a thief within the night,
we cannot gauge this treasure
beyond the scale of light.
3 As yet the mystery blinds us,
confined by birth and death,
but human exploration
will not discard the quest;
as yet we live in tension:
the only earth we know
is where all skill and science
must help our love to grow.
Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2006 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 7 6 7 6 D
Tune: AURELIA; VICTORY PARADE (Ian Sharp)
Author: Andrew Pratt
Andrew Pratt was born in Paignton, Devon, England in 1948.
A hymn in anticipation of Advent – The crash of constellations
A hymn in anticipation of Advent - The crash of constellations
1 The crash of constellations,
where prejudice divides,
where love is torn and broken,
where hatred still resides,
is where we meet as equals
and share what God has given,
diversity in concord,
a foretaste of God's heaven.
2 This is the time for praying,
yet prayer is not the end,
for reconciliation
needs grace that God will send.
And in that grace our vision,
our eyes are opened wide,
to see Christ in the other,
and then we must decide:
3 Is love of God yet greater
than human words and creeds?
Is love of neighbour furnished
by human loving deeds?
And can we live together
or must we be apart,
because of human diff'rence
though we are one in heart?
4 God give us grace to fathom
the riches of your care,
and then the strength to shoulder
the ministry we bear;
that working with each other
acknowledging the worth
of love we share together
we'll spread your peace on earth.
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2009 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 7 6 7 6 7 6
Tune: THORNBURY
The tentacles of wealth and domination words responding to David Olusoga’s ‘Empire’
The tentacles of wealth and domination
On the 9th November 2025 at 00:33 I wrote these words in response to David Olusoga’s first episode of his series on BBC television – Empire – where he tells the story of the British Empire, from its origins under Elizabeth I to the establishment of colonies in America, the Caribbean and India.*
The tentacles of wealth and domination
exploit the poor and elevate the rich,
the seats of power are turning in an instant
are sliding, twisting, now about to switch.
We mirror history in each word and action,
again we turn our values upside down.
If this is love we're cynical and empty,
the face of God is creased into a frown.
God's people what has happened to the gospel,
the grace that we accepted, now refused,
the love in which God holds us lies polluted,
the neighbours with Christ's face we have abused.
When will we turn again toward the beauty,
accept the loving kindness of God's care,
before us lies the world and all its riches,
sufficient for our needs if we would share.
© Andrew Pratt 9/11/2025
*https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hytj
Christians may compare what Olusoga has depicted with the
Magnificat -
Luke 1: 51-53
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
Hope is built in present moments – hymn inspired by Isaiah 65: 17 – 25 (now with tune)
Hope is built in present moments – hymn with tune - inspired by Isaiah 65: 17 – 25
1 Hope is built in present moments,
times of visions, times of dreams,
times when love transcends the present,
long outlasting human schemes.
2 Hope will open gates of promise,
herald dawns of glorious light,
help us live within this moment,
lead us onward from the night.
3 Hope is more than mists of fortune,
hope is more than fear or fate,
here through faith's imagination,
love transforms our present state.
4 We will find a new beginning
built on truths instead of lies,
built on love of every neighbour,
love that will confound the 'wise'.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2013 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 8 7 8 7
Tunes: LAUS DEO; ST OSWALD
New tune written by Frances S. Drake reproduced with permission -
Enquiries for use of music to Hymncat@gmail.com
Making much of clever counsel – a hymn inspired by Luke 20:27-38
Making much of clever counsel – a hymn inspired by Luke 20:27-38
1 Making much of clever counsel
lawyers sought to trip and flaw.
Jesus answered with God’s wisdom,
offered grace to cut through law.
2 God of Jesus, God of Moses,
God of Hannah and of Ruth;
God of Dorcas, God of Peter,
help us understand your truth
3 Held by things that do not matter,
we can sometimes miss our place,
nothings fuel our indignation
still we’re blinded to your grace.
4 Open eyes and hearts to kindness,
help us see beyond the lies
that would complicate your goodness,
God with grace awake, surprise!
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2010 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 7 8 7 Tune: ALL FOR JESUS
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