Upon a holy mountain

Upon a holy mountain, the three disciples saw

Their Teacher-Friend transfigured; the sight provoked their awe.

All luminous and shining with holy light like flame,

He was the same good Teacher they knew, but not the same.

 

Then, to their shock and wonder, beside their Teacher stood

Both Moses and Elijah, a sacred brotherhood.

Both Law and Prophet with him - a sight too much to bear - 

Caused Peter to proclaim he would build them dwellings there.

 

At this, a bright cloud shining took all of them from view,

And from that cloud all booming a sacred voice broke through:

"This is my Son, Beloved, and I am gratified;

Now listen to him only! In him be satisfied!"

 

With awful fear and terror the three disciples fell,

But Jesus spoke to calm them and their great fear dispel.

No longer three before them, now Jesus stood alone!

Their Teacher was so much more than they had ever known.

 

 

Text: Charles Spence Freeman, February 2023, after Matthew 17:1-8

Music: Suggested tune LLANGLOFFAN, Welsh folk melody.

 

 

A hymn for the Sunday of the Transfiguration of the Lord (year A most particularly), perhaps with a slight ballad-ish influence from the originally-selected folk tune SALLEY GARDENS. The minor key but spirited tune used here seemed somehow to work especially well for a text on a scripture that seems to evoke joy and terror (in the disciples) in turn.