A hymn inspired by Matthew 11:16-17 Jesus said, “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn'”. The children would follow the peal of your piping, the ring of your reason, the joy of your love, the children would follow, and none would deter them from plateaus so barren to mountains above. And those who are childlike still follow your calling; a calling to suffer, yet dusted with hope. The way to fulfilment, to peace and to plenty. is fissured and rutted but still we will cope. God's joy is the centre of all that we hope for, a calling for everyone, not just for some; the music is moving, can't stop ourselves singing, still Jesus is piping and still people come! Andrew 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: 12 11 12 11 Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO
Blogs
Scientists pick up shock waves from colliding galaxies – a hymn…
‘The observations were made by studying signals from dead stars called pulsars. These rotate and send out bursts of radio signals at extremely precise intervals’. BBC News. This hymn references pulsars and was published 32 years ago. Available in Blinded by the Dazzle, Stainer & Bell.
1 The God of cosmic question Surprises by his birth, Not in some new dimension But on this ravaged earth! 2 In quasars, quarks and pulsars We seek the cosmic truth: The ground of our existence That set creation loose, 3 And human senses lead us, Through all they analyse, From arrogance to wonder, To spiritual surprise. 4 But senses have their limits: Unanswered still there lies The single, deepest question Our intellect supplies. 5 Yet history proffers insight: The Christ of time and space Speaks of a God incarnate Born in a squalid place. 6 Alive within our compass, Upon this ravaged earth, The God of cosmic question Surprises by his birth! Andrew E Pratt (born 1948) © 1991 Stainer & Bell Ltd 7 6 7 6 Iambic
Dan Damon – Look at the light
I met Dan in Boston (Massachusetts) over 20 years ago. An American Methodist Pastor with four items in Singing the Faith – too few to my mind. You can find him at Dan Damon Music . His latest collection Look at the light, can be found here but also on other streaming services.
This is religious music with intelligent texts and with a jazz setting.
Cities of sanctuary – hymn for refugee week
Cities of sanctuary, places of safety, here where all strangers are welcomed and blessed, we stand with Jesus in love of our neighbour, here in our actions his love is expressed. We will act justly while offering mercy, nurturing humbly a gospel of peace, welcome all people regardless of status, counter celebrity, value the least. Here in a world that is cruel and unyielding God's hospitality values the poor; this is the scandal of love without limits, loving the unloved, then loving them more. We will not rest till each migrant is welcomed. We will share bread till the hungry are fed. We will confront each injustice that greets us, loving with vigour till hatred is dead. Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 2008 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: 11 10 11 10 Tune: STEWARDSHIP With thanks to Inderjit Bhogal for his work, example and inspiration
All of us are valued by God…a hymn…This goal of equality
All of us are valued by God – Matthew records these words of Jesus: 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. And a hymn… This goal of equality laid out before us, where each one is valued and no-one denied, is given, through loving, to those who will listen, yet, while we should welcome, we often deride. We look at our neighbours and judge by appearance: the colour of skin or the cadence of voice, the cut of a jacket or youthful confusion, while prejudice beckons our ultimate choice. Yet love would compel to see Christ clothe our neighbour, the ragged and ugly gain elegant grace; enabling discernment, refined understanding: the future is present and all have a place. Andrew Pratt Words © 2001 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; 12 11 12 11 Tune: ST CATHERINE’S COURT
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