I learned today that several of my hymns are about to be published in "Assembled for Song", a new hymnal anthology being created by GIA Music in Chicago.
They are the publishers of my book "Swift Currents and Still Waters" (2000).
The new hymn titles are:
1. O Spirit Grant Us Courage
2. The Day the Church was Born
3. God Write Your Blessed Name
4. As Morning Stars Together Sing
5. Here Face to Face We Long to See
6. Of Dust of Earth and Breath of God
7. O God, Our Lives are Parched and Dry
The only hymn among them that has appeared in print before is the last, which GIA published this past year, set as an anthem with the music by Dorothy Frisch.
All of them are written to be sung to familiar hymn tunes, and will appear "interlined" with the music, just as hymns are printed in the hymnals in the pews. They will also appear as text alone (the way poetry is printed).
The new hymnal anthology will be introduced at the 2011 Annual Conference of The Hymn Society, meeting this summer in Colorado Springs.
The new hymn titles are:
1. O Spirit Grant Us Courage
2. The Day the Church was Born
3. God Write Your Blessed Name
4. As Morning Stars Together Sing
5. Here Face to Face We Long to See
6. Of Dust of Earth and Breath of God
7. O God, Our Lives are Parched and Dry
The only hymn among them that has appeared in print before is the last, which GIA published this past year, set as an anthem with the music by Dorothy Frisch.
All of them are written to be sung to familiar hymn tunes, and will appear "interlined" with the music, just as hymns are printed in the hymnals in the pews. They will also appear as text alone (the way poetry is printed).
The new hymnal anthology will be introduced at the 2011 Annual Conference of The Hymn Society, meeting this summer in Colorado Springs.
Here are some notes on these hymns...
"O Spirit Grant Us Courage"
is a prayer for the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance in the trying times of life. In it, the singer admits a need for God's power, guidance, renewal and love. The words "Have no fear!" which are always the first words spoken to God's people when they meet God or God's representatives, might be called the theme of this hymn. The hymn is set to the familiar tune AURELIA.
"The Day the Church was Born"
is a hymn for Pentecost, the birthday of the church. Using images that come from Acts Chapter Two, the hymn's first stanza is all about the Wind of the Holy Spirit. The second stanza emphasizes the tongues of fire; the third, the ability of those first church members to talk to people in every language about the risen Christ. The final stanza asks for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our age. The hymn is set to be sung to the tune FOREST GREEN.
"God Write Your Blessed Name"
is set to the tune FESTAL SONG most commonly associated with the hymn "Rise Up, O Men of God". Hebrews 8:10, Jeremiah 31:33 and Psalm 7:3 are passages that encourage God's Word to be written upon our hearts. The four stanzas comprise a prayer that this may happen and that God would serve as the Author of all we do.
"As Morning Stars Together Sing"
was written as a farewell hymn for Hildur Satre Breese, who had served as organist at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, when she returned to Texas following her serving in Pittsburgh. So the themes are all music-related. As such this would be a fine hymn for a music appreciation Sunday. The tune is ELLACOMBE.
"Here Face to Face We Long to See"
is the 'oldest' of the hymns in this collection, the sixteenth hymn I wrote, and dates from 1990. It was written on a very blustery late-autumn day, at lunch time, in Highland Park in Pittsburgh, when I was serving Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. Those who know Highland Park will picture the spot, on the lower ring road around the park, where, if the leaves are off the trees (they were) and if you find just the right location, you can look across the Allegheny River toward Aspinwall, Blawnox and Sharpsburg and beyond (where many of our church members lived). The hymn is one that reflects Moses' longing to see God, a longing all people share. The cloud-filled grey skies, twisting bare tree limbs and the wind-tossed brown leaves all figure in the words of the hymn. It is set to the tune MELITA.
"Of Dust of Earth and Breath of God"
is set to the hymn tune MOZART. It reflects on our human make-up; that is, that we are both made of very ordinary stuff (the dust of the earth) and yet have within us the wondrous gift of God (God's breath). The first stanza is centered on our human frailty and simplicity as 'bits of earth-bound clay'. The second speaks of our transcendent nature. The third offers a view of our humanity in which faith prevails--we do not wish to simply be dust. The fourth and the final stanza asks God to make us able to engage all we are in God's praise and service.
"O God, Our Lives are Parched and Dry"
is the newest of these hymns, and has been set as an anthem by Dorothy Frisch that was published by GIA this past year. Now it is available for congregational song, set to the hymn tune CANONBURY. Throughout, it is a prayer for God to fill us with the Living Water of Christ. The Gospel of John, Chapter Four, is the key associated passage of Scripture.
