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


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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

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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

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Hymns responding to Dr Tim Gordon’s Seminar for Bramhall Methodist Church Climate Change Series

Dr Tim Gordon
Marine Biologist, Exeter University

Pre-meeting text

Like concrete, coral crumbles, 
devoid of life and breath, 
and lifeless it will signal 
our finiteness and death, 
until with all creation 
we find our common place 
and treasure this our planet 
and see, in life, God’s face.
 
The reef can be a model: 
a commonwealth of care, 
of close cooperation 
of all that’s living there: 
yet human beings meddle, 
bring damage and distress.
We need to learn and listen 
if life is to progress.

A deeper understanding 
that science can provide
could bring the restoration 
our actions have denied;
while prayer can open senses 
to things that are obscure, 
God’s spirit offers insight 
to make the world secure.

Andrew Pratt 23/5/2021
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: 7.6.7.6.D
Tune: LLANGLOFFAN; AURELIA

Hymn responding to Dr Tim Gordon
Marine Biologist, Exeter University

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 hold 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 suff’ring 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 Pratt 24/5/2021
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 YouTube - Sung and played by Gareth Moore

More information click here