Thank you to Andrew Donaldson from Toronto, a Fellow of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, who has agreed to my sharing his hymn 'How Can We Sing, Our Souls Aghast and Shaken?' here. It is particularly appropriate at this time, I feel.
1. How can we sing? – our souls aghast and shaken?
Sing, when our hope has broken like a bone?
Long-whispered schemes now rise up, proud and open.
Tyrants and kings, tyrants and kings
Now rule us from a throne.
2. How can we sing? What good will come with praises?
Songs fill the air; they soar, then soon are gone.
Hordes overturn our safe and sacred places,
Leave not a trace, leave not a trace,
Nor stone upon a stone.
3. How can we sing? – for who will hear our voices?
Why does a lie sound wiser than a psalm?
Shrewd powers lead from crisis into crisis;
None care to hear, none care to hear
Your shepherd’s voice of calm.
4. How can we sing, yet how can we stand silent?
Long-silent tongues have sung us to this day:
Saints voiced a hope both holy and defiant.
Breathe through our song, breathe through our song,
O Holy One, we pray.
Words: Andrew Donaldson
© 2025 GIA Publications, Inc. # U01906T
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Andrew suggests the following tune COMMENT VOULOIR QU’UNE PERSONNE CHANTE
French Troubadour melody
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifxGjuldIko
Andrew also notes that the words fit to GENEVAN 12, but only if you don't repeat the phrase in the fourth line of text.
Category: Other People’s Words
New progressive Christian titles worth reading
I have been made aware, by friends in Australia and the USA, of two books which may be of interest; please click below for more information:
Abundant Lives: A Progressive Christian Ethic of Flourishing. Pilgrim Press by Amanda Udis-Kessler
In Wisdom and in Passion: Comparing and Contrasting Buddha and Christ by John Queripel
A New Book of Poetry by David Lythgoe – Beside Another Sea
Beside Another Sea is David Lythgoe’s latest book of Poetry available here and other other bookshops
If you know David Lythgoe you will not be disappointed by this book of over a hundred poems. Simply read on. But if you’re tasting his work for the first time, with no spoilers, let me give you an idea of what you’re holding in your hand.
I have known David for many years. I have found him to be a quiet, self-effacing man. In consequence his writing in these poems offers an insight to a sensitive, reflective personality who, through this medium, has been able to give expression to emotion, to impressions, sometimes with humour, yet equally able to voice the grief born of love and loss.
David has won awards for his writing and our reward is this gift which I sense has been gestating for some time. His subject matter often quarries memory. He unearths feelings as much as facts. Often the description of a remembered scene becomes a metaphor for life’s conundrums. His poetry frequently spans personal thoughts, yet he is never sentimental. Often the poems originate in a particular context – a holiday, a shared experience with his wife, lockdown and the unexpected sound of birds singing, the waves of the sea or some other pattern of nature. Much of the writing is observational, reminiscent sometimes of the poetry of R.S. Thomas. David is compassionate while the narrative of his verse occasionally twists offering a political slant.
His background enables him to merge a travelogue with classical literary, and scientific linguistic devices.
From the Preface – Andrew Pratt
Harvey Richardson’s blog – the Violin and its players
Experience the captivating story of a violin and its players.
Harvey’s blog – regular postings can be seen here
Harvey tells us the story of his violin
PRATT GREEN TRUST + Brand New HymnQuest
As part of its 40th anniversary, the Trust is hosting a special one-day seminar in Manchester (and online) on 14 November and they would love to see you there:
“A More Profound Alleluia”
New perspectives on Fred Pratt Green’s hymns and their legacy
Luther King House, Manchester
14 November 2024, 10:30–17:00
BOOKING: https://prattgreentrust.org.uk/2024-seminar-a-more-profound-alleluia
Not only will you enjoy a fascinating, thought-provoking day, but you will also have the opportunity to see the brand-new version of HymnQuest, which will be available for the first time.
TIMETABLE
10:00 – Welcome and introduction to the day
10:15 – Keynote speaker – Martin Leckebusch
11:15 – Coffee
11:45 – Workshop/Discussion – Elise Massa
12:45 – Lunch
13:30 – Papers
- A Museum of theology – Christian hymns and Inclusion – June Boyce-Tillman
- Fred Pratt Green – Opening Doors – Andrew Pratt
- The Reception of Fred Pratt Green’s Hymns in North America – Nancy Graham
- Proclaiming Social Justice in South Africa through English Hymnody: A Brief Exploration of John Gardener’s Contribution in South Africa– Andrew-John Bethke
15:30 – Tea
16:00 – Theological discussion – with questions from the floor
16:30 – Choral session – details of the Choir TBA
17:00 – CloseIf you would like to know more about the PGT or find out about ways you can help their cause, please email gillian@prattgreentrust.org.uk.
hymnsandbooks 