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Toward the Coronation – a hymn

To set the context. Not everyone is a Royalist. I am Republican (in an English sense) by conviction. But… accident makes me roughly a month younger than Charles. He came to Queen’s College, Birmingham when I was training for ministry. He seemed far more at one with us students than many of the accompanying clergy and signatories. He is born into a role he did not choose anymore than I chose my birth. So a hymn for me, for us, perhaps for him…

This hymn is one of prayer, dedication and affirmation which might be used individually, or in connection with the Coronation. (inspired by Philippians 4:8)


Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour, 
things that are praiseworthy, honest and pure, 
whatever is pleasing, whatever brings justice:
these are the things to affirm and secure.


Be known by your gentleness, loyal in your dealings, 
favour no person, but honour the poor. 
Then welcome the stranger, the widow, the outcast, 
to join as companions through love's open door.


Wherever God finds you, wherever you wander, 
take faith as your watchword, let care bring renown;
while greeting each neighbour with hands that show friendship 
let grace be your goal and let love be your crown. 


Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2015 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. Published in More than hymns
Metre: 12 11 12 11
Tune: WAS LEBET, WAS SCHWEBET



Emmaus a hymn – Way out beyond the reaches of the cosmos

After Easter some people were walking to Emmaus talking about all that had happened. Jesus, unrecognised, walked beside them. Only when they reached their destination and asked Jesus to join them for a meal did they recognise him – when he broke bread.
This hymn reflects on the all-pervasive nature of the message of resurrection, that of creation and re-creation, only in the last verse bringing us to Emmaus. It is for communion, or any other meal.
Fred Kaan once pointed out that ‘companion’ means ‘with bread’. 

Way out beyond the reaches of the cosmos,
through strands, like smoke, of interstellar cloud, 
our God is moving, forming, re-creating, 
each image speaks the name of God, out loud.

It seems this God will nurture like a mother, 
the power of love embodies life and light.
This love transcends succeeding generations, 
brings comfort in the darkness of death's night. 

Companion God in breaking bread together 
we meet with you as we met on the way, 
a friendly God you still make peace between us, 
as sharing meals we meet with you each day.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2014 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: O PERFECT LOVE
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