The Song of the Sea – a hymn related to Global Warming
I usually post a hymn on a Monday or Tuesday each week. On Monday morning 11th August, the Today Programme on radio 4 announced that The UK's seas have had their warmest start to the year since records began, helping to drive some dramatic changes in marine life and for its fishing communities. Read more…
In 2021 Dr Tim Gordon Marine Biologist, Exeter University spoke to Bramhall Methodist Church about the death of coral reefs around Australia. Again, today there are reports of the deterioration of the Great Barrier Reef. During his seminar, in response, I wrote these words…
The song of the sea, once melodious, is dying,
that song is essential, the calling of home;
Great God, we lament, yet the sound of our crying
is quieter than breakers, the wash of the foam.
What work must we do to restore what is broken,
how can we encourage the choir of the sea?
The spirit is moving, the waters are wounded,
the oceans are anguished for life to be free.
You enter our suffering and love in our grieving,
you join us in weakness, when frailty is near,
God holds us, enfold us when hell overcomes us,
stand near to the tomb of our folly and fear.
You promise a covenant, both gift and promise.
Creation is groaning, still coming to birth.
Bring newness, renewal, a hope that is living,
from suffering bring joy for the whole of the earth.
We treasure the symphony, yet we are grieving,
we long for the chorus, the song of the sea,
bring light in the darkness and sound in the silence,
Great God, co-creator, let all life be free.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2021 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
You can read more about this at Tim Gordon
Hear this sung by Gareth Moore here
Tag: Bramhall Methodist Church
How a hymn was written – A Song of the Sea – Hymn of the Day – Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland
‘A Song of the Sea’ was published recently on this blog. It is the Hymn of the Day today 30th July 2021. The reflection on it tells how it was written and there is a link to it being sung – click here to follow to the reflection
Hymn responding to Dr Admos Chimhowu’s Seminar for Bramhall Methodist Church’s Climate Change Series
Dr Admos Chimhowu Global Development Unit, The University of Manchester Developing policy for sustainable development Just imagine death and illness, overtaking life and health, poverty of moral action favouring our human wealth. Politicians take decisions, what is their priority: Love of neighbour? Economics? What does Christ expect of me? Every person on this planet, worthy of the dignity, dignity of healthy living, heir to our prosperity, needs the food to answer hunger, pure, fresh water for her thirst; but injustice threads through choices hoards the best, then trades the worst. Conflict, climate, infestation, ruined crops, polluted streams; sign the time for human action: not just words or empty dreams. Faith and politics together, people of each race and clime, we must join in one endeavour: save this earth while there’s still time! Andrew Pratt 23/6/2021 Words © 2021 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); LUX EOI More information click here
Hymn responding to Ms Steph Bryant’s Seminar for Bramhall Methodist Church Climate Change Series
Ms Steph Bryant Youth and Schools Programme Co-Director, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion Our view of the stars fosters wonder, through grandeur: the sense of a cosmos within God’s embrace; from infinite chaos we’ve grown on this planet to learn, live and care, an inquisitive race. We thrive as God nurtures our fragile existence, our life is related to all life on earth, and each generation must deepen in knowledge, yet guard against arrogance in our own worth. God give us compassion to live with our neighbours, to value each species, conserve, and renew; to challenge those actions that lead to destruction, to cherish and never take more than our due. And these are the gifts we must share with our children, compassionate love and a God-given grace, this love with no limits pervades all creation from oceans and forests to infinite space. Andrew Pratt 14/6/2021 Words © 2021 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 More information click here
Hymn responding to Prof John Evans’ Seminar for Bramhall Methodist Church Climate Change Series
Prof John Evans Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of Southampton To work with God we need to learn each nuance of this earth, the way the planet shifts and moves, its treasures, all their worth. We search out every finite source, yet sometimes lack the care to measure out just what we need, to leave some resting there. And now we start to comprehend not just this worldly wealth, but how its use can build, enhance, or damage earthly health; not just the strength of humankind, but climate’s synergy, the balance on which life depends for its vivacity. So now we learn to understand the calling of our race, to stand in watch, to call and act, within each time and place; not just renewing white bleached bones or raising dead to life, but clothing every word with love, where hatred once was rife. 7/6/2021 Andrew Pratt Words © 2021 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: CMD Tune: KINGSFOLD
More information click here
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