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: The song of the sea
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
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
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