Hymn texts

Many of these hymn texts attempt to express some feature of our faith that is otherwise lacking into today's hymnody.

Most are to hymn tunes that are already well-known, so should be easy for your local church to adopt. In cases where the tune may be unfamiliar, the item includes a PDF of the score and an MP3 demo.

Also included here is a hymn text by Sue Gilmurray, reproduced here with her kind permission, which deserves to be far more widely known.


First line (Title) Tune Example Commentary Comments Publication
Acclaim the Lord, you heavenly powers Kepier     Psalm 29 close paraphrase.
Alleluia, alleluia; Blessed are they       Psalm 112 paraphrase, specifically maintaining the alphabetic acrostic structure of the original Hebrew.
Alleluia, alleluia; Boundless in joy       Psalm 111 paraphrase, specifically maintaining the alphabetic acrostic structure of the original Hebrew.
Called by you Saxilby (alternatively Liebster Jesu)     Start of service; gathering. The text is a fresh translation of the 17th century German hymn Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier.  
Climate is breaking Bunessan     Lamenting our role in climate change. Based closely on the well-known song Morning has broken. Ideal for school assemblies.  
Contented are those (Rejoice and be glad) Water of Tyne     There seems to be a lack of hymns closely based on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12). This new one uses a folk tune from north-east England, where the Northumbrian pipes feature in local music and suit well such near-pentatonic and hexatonic tunes.  
God eternal, timeless moment Blaenwern Video[1] Commentary A strongly Trinitarian hymn. Includes themes of mission, outreach, redemptive suffering and Pentecost.

Norwegian translation below.
In chaos and nothingness Enns Video[3] Commentary Creation, wonder, science. A hymn to celebrate science and our omniscient God. American Scientific Affiliation "God and Nature", Winter 2019 (one minor subsequent edit)
Make straight the way Kingsfold   Commentary Mission, ordination, confirmation, commitment. "Way, truth, life". Worship in the City[4]
O radiant light (Phos hilaron) Horkstow Grange (a.k.a. Harkstow Grange)     A translation of an ancient Greek evening hymn, set to a Lincolnshire folk tune collected by Percy Grainger and used in his Lincolnshire Posy suite.  
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord Gresford Video[5] Commentary The solemn tune Gresford, a.k.a. "The Miners' Hymn", was written in response to the 1934 Gresford colliery disaster. This close paraphrase, based on Psalm 130, aims to stay faithful to the tune's mining roots.
Over the darkness (God of creation)     Commentary A song-like hymn about darkness and light, chaos and order, at creation, at the incarnation, at the crucifixion and resurrection and in our lives.
Rejoice in God, you peoples Thaxted     Psalm 66:8–20 paraphrase.
Sing alleluias to the Lord Lasst Uns Erfreuen Video[6]   Psalm 98 paraphrase.
Sing unto the Lord a fresh, new song Elgar 1     Psalm 96 paraphrase, written specifically to the opening theme of Elgar's First Symphony.
Sovereign Lord, let nations tremble Regent Square   Commentary Psalm 99: close paraphrase.
You once favoured, Lord, your people Mannheim   Psalm 85 paraphrase. Suitable for Advent 2.
You spoke your word Londonderry Air   Commentary Faith, scripture and science. Dedicated to the late Tom McLeish.
Your throne, O Lord Finlandia   Commentary Adoration; creation; reign of Christ. From Hebrews 1.
Translations into other languages
Gud vår Skaper, tidløs, evig   Video[7]   Norwegian version of God eternal, timeless moment.
  • Jeg Vet En Sang (I know a song)[8]
Texts by Sue Gilmurray
The northern world grows dark and cold (Carol for the world) Kingsfold     Advent, Christmas. Written in the wake of the Twin Towers events, New York, of 11th September, 2001 (9/11).

[1] Recording courtesy of Emmanuel Church, Redditch, Worcestershire

[2] Singing the Faith Plus, Methodist Church

[3] Recording courtesy of Cornwall Presbyterian Church, New York, USA

[4] Worship in the City: Prayers and Songs for Urban Settings, 2015, United Churches of Canada

[5] Recording courtesy of Niamh Prior, Bishop Auckland Methodist Church

[6] Recording courtesy of Kathleen Theisen, USA

[7] Tune by Trond Akerø-Kleven

[8] Jeg Vet En Sang (I know a song), 2022, Norsk Musikkforlagene, ISBN 9790661032137