Inspired by Psalm 84
God who walked this earth before us
God who walked this earth before us,
over mountains, by cool springs,
pictured in the poet's image:
soaring high on eagles’ wings:
we can never cage or capture
such a Spirit in her flight,
yet within a vaulted temple
people seek to praise your might.
'Neath its eaves, in arching timbers,
birds are nesting, swallows fly,
here where choirs will praise Your glory,
priests and people sing or cry.
While we worship in closed buildings,
shuttered from the world outside,
far beyond our tethered spirits,
Love is soaring, free to glide.
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.
Tune: RUSSIAN AIR (Hymns for the People, 43; Jubilate); DIJON
Metre: 8.7.8.7
Category: Song
IN MEMORIAM – BISHOP TIMOTHY DUDLEY SMITH
The crumbs that spoke of broken bread – A hymn inspired by John 6: 51 – 58
The crumbs that spoke of broken bread - inspired by John 6: 51-58
1 The crumbs that spoke of broken bread,
remembered words that had been said,
the scattered fragments of a meal
had left them thinking, 'was this real'.
His flesh was torn, yes crucified,
it left them wond'ring, had he lied,
yet in another upper room,
he'd share again beyond that tomb.
2 They recognised the words he said,
they shared again that living bread,
and now the metaphor was real
within this simple, sacred meal.
Then looking in each other's face
they recognised a means of grace,
the meal they shared had brought Christ near,
they cast out one another's fear.
3 The love that held them was profound,
forever held, forever bound
and still today in every place
where bread is broken there is grace.
So take the bread and pour the wine
and let this moment form a sign
for every human come to birth,
that love will never leave this earth.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2012 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: DLM
Tunes: YE BANKS AND BRAES; MERTHYR TYDFIL
For Holocaust Memorial in a broken world – a hymn – The day will come….
The day will come, must come, and soon – Holocaust Remembrance in a broken world
1 The day will come, must come, and soon,
when we will sing a song of joy
with sisters, brothers, not like us,
who share the image of one God.
2 Whatever name, whichever faith,
at heart we share a common bond,
a shared humanity in God,
whose name and character is love.
3 That love will drive us to the day
when every wall is broken down,
when love and joy and song are one:
that day will come, must come, and soon.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
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: LM
Tune: TALLIS’ CANON
How long O Lord?
1 How long, O Lord, how long
must carnage blight our age?
How long before all humankind
let love disarm their rage?
2 The streets still run with blood
as dust distils the light;
while buildings clouded by the pall
of smoke are hid from sight.
3 Our children huddle, dead,
the world seems blind to wrong;
when will your people heed your word?
How long, O Lord, how long?
Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
© 2006 Stainer and 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: SM
Tune: TRENTHAM
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