Blogs

The Queen’s Accession and Platinum Jubilee – a Hymn

A hymn that might be used to mark the Anniversary of the Queen’s Accession and Platinum Jubilee. 

While some people question the concept of Monarchy, whatever our perspective, many have found Queen Elizabeth II to be a person who has engendered respect. These words are written in that light and from that perspective.

 Once a woman heard a message, 
 telling of her father’s death,
 spinning life round on a pinhead -
 causing her to catch her breath.
 From that day a life of service,
 putting others first of all,
 meant a change of her direction,
 yet she saw this as God’s call.
 
 Celebrate her tour of duty,
 duty built on faith and love,
 ceaseless run since her Accession,
 life committed, hand in glove.
 Even though some question kingship,
 they would witness cov’nant grace,
 promise made, tasks undertaken,
 never knowing what she’d face.

 So today, in celebration,
 we will stand to recognise,
 age and wisdom, dedication,
 pray that peace may be her prize;
 then, whatever our perspective,
 may we be forever bound
 in communion with our neighbours,
 finding grace on heaven’s ground.

Andrew Pratt (4/2/2022)
Words © 2022 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 D
Tune: MARATHON (Vaughan Williams)This tune can be heard with different words here it is printed at Songs Of Praise No.302; RUSTINGTON; BETHANY (Smart)
Published in the Methodist Recorder June 3rd 2022





Discipleship, justice and mercy – a hymn

This last week some of us have remembered Jesus being presented in the temple. Soon our readings turn to the calling of disciples. We follow in their footsteps. As we do we are presented, not just with things we should believe, but how we live, the values we should hold.



1	God's commandments link together 
justice, mercy, love and grace; 
elements to guide the framing 
of our laws within this place.
Yet the laws and legal judgments 
that we form through human thought, 
all too easily diminish 
values that the Christ had sought.


2	As we follow in his footsteps
as disciples, let us find, 
ways to live in peace together, 
ways that bring God's grace to mind;
ways of gracious peaceful living, 
that might spread throughout the earth,
ways of God's audacious giving:
let the spirit find new birth.


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

Metre: 8 7 8 7 D
Tune: BETHANY (Smart)