Take on the mind of Christ

Take on the mind of Christ our Lord: though God in every way,

He did not cling to heav’nly form, but gave himself away.

Take on the mind of Christ our Lord: he took a servant mind,

Yes, Christ, the Everlasting One took on our human kind.

Take on the mind of Christ our Lord, who did not call it loss

To be obedient to the end of death upon a cross.

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, 2019, after Philippians 2:5-8

MUSIC: Tune DETROIT, Supplement to Kentucky Harmony, 1820.

Here is an adaptation of Philippians 2:5-8, the first half of one of the most noteworthy "Christ hymns" found in the epistles of the New Testament. The intention was to set the whole hymn (2:5-11), but the two halves are so distinct in tone and effect that it seemed best to leave this one as it is. Perhaps the second half will come at another moment, and maybe even to a different tune.