In caves of hopelessness

In caves of hopelessness drawn close

Like uninvited fear,

We struggle with bleak emptiness 

And cannot sense you near.

 

Yet in a moment unforeseen

Your wonders new unfold!

Even in the shadows, in the depths,

Your grace flows manifold.

 

From troughs of flailing and despair

When we must let all go

Comes waves of new embodiment

When God's true path we know.

 

Revive us now, O God of grace;

Restore each withered soul.

From depths and voids of bleak despair

Lift us and make us whole.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2024.

MUSIC: Tune CAITHNESS, Scottish Psalter, 1635; harm. The English Hymnal, 1906, alt.

I don't even know if I can make a useful comment on this. It's been like pulling teeth over a month and a half to get this to a semi-finished place, but apparently I wasn't going to be able to do anything else until this was done. 

The grace of God appeared

The grace of God appeared: 

Salvation to us all!

It calls us to live in this age

With godly self-control.

 

The grace of God appeared,

And trains us now to live 

Against the passions of this world,

This grace that God does give.

 

The grace of God appeared; 

In blessed hope we wait

To see the coming of the Christ

Whose glory is so great.

 

The grace of God appeared,

Who gave himself for all; 

He calls us all to God's own work,

To claim God's holy call.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2024, after Titus 2:11-14.

MUSIC: Tune FESTAL SONG, William H. Walter, 1872.

 

 

This might be even more futile than "Come, you faithful ones, rejoicing" for Christmas Eve; here is a text based on a reading from the RCL. Specifically, it's from the Christmas Eve *epistle reading,*, possibly the loneliest text in the RCL. Nonetheless, here it is.

A little apocalypse song (Luke's version)

When our handmade temples have been thrown down,

Not a stone has been left on stone;

When the force of wrong comes to squelch the song

That is all we have ever known;

When wars abound, rumors all around,

And our hearts are bereft and numb,

Don't give in to lies, but look to the skies

For the Son of Man to come.

 

Refrain:

The heavenly signs that will mark the times

Are for all and not just for some;

So raise up your eyes, looking to the skies

For the Son of Man to come.

 

When the false one comes, saying "I am he!", 

Leading millions to go astray,

Let your minds get wise to the blasphemous lies

And hold on to the narrow way.

The prophets false with their vain assaults,

They will fail, so do not succumb!

You will stand up straight as you watch and wait

For the Son of Man to come.

 

Refrain

 

When the fig tree blooms with its leaves of green

Then you know summer's almost here;

When you see these signs, hold this in your minds 

That the reign of our God draws near. 

Be on your guard, though the times are hard,

To injustice do not be numb; 

Be alert always till the final days

When the Son of Man will come!

 

Refrain

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2024, after Luke 21

MUSIC: Tune STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN, Irish melody.

 

For a couple of weeks I've been convinced I would never write another hymn, and I wasn't sure I wanted to. I needed to test myself, and the portion of Luke's "little apocalypse" (as opposed to Mark's) that comes along for Advent 1C somehow became the challenge that drew me out. (The tune is public domain but the arrangement from which I am working is copyright, so I'm being especially cautious here and only giving an incipit.)  I don't expect for this ever to be sung, but maybe it broke the funk. 

The blind man who sat by the road

The blind man who sat by the road out of town

Was there every day of the week,

And those passing by on the road heard him call;

For coin or for food he would seek. 

Each day was the same; all the travelers came, 

Each day of the week, of the year,

Until one day he heard joyful cries from a crowd,

And he heard that it was drawing near.

 

This man by the road, Bartimaeus his name,

Made ready to cry out for aid,

But then he was caught by a name from the crowd

And his cry for alms thus was stayed.

For Jesus of Nazareth was on the way,

As near as he ever would be!

Bartimaeus cried out with great pleading and fear,

"Son of David, have mercy on me!"

 

The crowd tried to hush him, but he would not so;

He cried even louder again.

The crowd now grew hushed as it came to a halt;

Then one voice called out, "Bring him in."

The blind man jumped up, tossed his cloak to the side,

And stumbled his way to the man;

And to Jesus he pleaded with all of his heart,

"O my Teacher, let me see again!"

 

When Jesus said, "Go, for your faith has now healed you,"

Dark fell away from his eyes.

And then he beheld what he missed for so long,

The clouds and the trees and the skies.

But he did not go, though the Teacher said so;

His heart drew him rather to stay.

So he gathered himself and fell in with the crowd,

And he followed his Lord on the way.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, October 2024, after Mark 10:46-52.

MUSIC: Tune SAMANTHRA, American folk melody.

 

 

This story has been bugging me for years to set it in some kind of form for congregational singing. I had used this tune for a previous setting, for the parable about the bridesmaids. While this is not a parable, it is a story, and tunes like this were made for telling stories. And I couldn't resist the subtitle.

Can you drink the cup I drink

"Can you drink the cup I drink,

Filled with painful, bitter wine?

My baptism, can you bear,

This sore burden that is mine?"

 

Worldly rulers will not bend,

Lording over all they claim.

Those who follow Jesus dear

Will be servants in his name.

 

For the Son of Man did come 

All to serve and show the way

And to set his people free,

Now to live in God's new day.

 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, October 2024, after Mark 10:35-45.

MUSIC: Tune AUS DER TIEFE RUFE ICH, attr. Martin Herbst, 1676.

 

 

When two of the disciples seek privileged places at Jesus's side, his response turns from direct reprimand to describing what being a follower of Jesus looks like. Personally, it didn't seem right to glorify the two disciples by name here, but Jesus's answer is worth a hymn reflection. 

 

The rains that fall without remorse

The rains that fall without remorse 

         have washed their lives away.

For those caught in its deadly course,

Or broken by its brutal force,

         O Holy One, we pray.

 

The seas that surged beyond their shore

         have swept their lives away.

For those who lost it alll, and more,

Are longing for their lives before,

         O Holy One, we pray.

 

The winds that howl with reckless power

         have blown their lives away.

For those who in the ruins cower,

Who seek relief for just one hour,

         O Holy One, we pray.

 

O God of rain and wind and sea,

         when will the horrors cease?

For those who seek what cannot be,

Come, bring relief and set them free.

         O Holy One, grant peace.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, September 2024.

MUSIC: Tune REST, Frederick Charles Maker, 1887.

 

 

after Helene

How will I show my faith to you?

How will I show my faith to you?

How will you know who rules my heart?

I pray my deeds will show me true

And thus show my faith's better part.

 

How will I show my faith to you?

How will you know my faith is real?

My words alone, they cannot do

What this world needs to grow and heal.

 

How will I show my faith to you?

How will you know whose child I am?

I pray my God will give me tasks 

That show my faith is not a sham.

 

How will the world know faith is real,

Not mere belief, self-righteous claim?

When church acts out its works of love

To high and lowly all the same.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2024, after James 2:18.

MUSIC: Tune GERMANY, Gardiner's Sacred Melodies, 1815.

 

 

For this verse-right-after-a-lectionary-reading text, the best approach seemed to be to bring some humility to the author's brash claim ("I will show you my faith by my works"), humility that had better be present when we make such a claim (as well as a lot of prayer). 

We welcome you, O Christ

We welcome you, O Christ our Lord;

            We lift our praise in one accord.

We give you thanks in everything;

            We honor you as now we sing.

 

Yet your own word has called us out;

            The very welcome that we shout

Is called in question – doubt, indeed – 

            By how we turn from those in need.

 

The hungry stranger at our door,

            The one who scrubs our dirty floor,

The migrant, homeless; yes, our call

            Is always to receive them all.

 

While we your church have argued loud

            For power, for strength, for status proud,

You welcome these whom we’ve reviled

            As once you welcomed one small child.

 

Recall us to true welcome, Lord, 

            That all in you may be restored

To health and hope in everything,

            And we true praise to you might bring.

 

 

Text: Charles Spence Freeman, September 2021, after Mark 9:30-37.

Music: Suggested tune ROCKINGHAM, Second Supplement to Psalmody in Miniature, 1783; harm. Edward Miller, 1790.

A cursory reading of the indicated lectionary passage will make clear this is no close paraphrase; it is perhaps best described as a response, perhaps with some repentance about it, to that passage and Jesus's instruction to the disciples in it. 

As we go now from this table

As we go now from this table

Having shared your holy meal,

May our lives be made your witness,

Showing your good news is real. 

As we go out, still we carry

Sacrament as sign and seal.

 

We are challenged to remember,

Through the humble bread we broke,

All your deeds and all your living,

All the sacred words you spoke.

May your call be marked upon us

Like a painter's strong brush stroke.

 

Also marked upon your memory

Is the cup we poured and shared. 

All your sorrows and your sufferings,

All the ways in which you cared;

Let the cup help us remember, 

Let us not be unprepared.

 

As we sing this song of parting

Like you sang with all your friends,

May we know there will be one day

Your new song that never ends.

Till that day may our song witness

To your love that heals and mends.

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2024.

MUSIC: Tune TRINITY, Peter Cutts, 1983. Copyright 1983 Hope Publishing Company.

 

 

In thinking about the sacrament and the songs that go with it, it struck me that most of them seem made to come before the meal, and then a few that proceed all the way through it; I couldn't think of many that followed after the sacrament as a kind of parting hymn of the table. It seemed like a hymn that reminds us of what we take with us from the sacrament could be useful. And yes, with World Communion Sunday not too far off, the sacrament was on my mind perhaps a little extra.

On a separate note, as much as I try to avoid using hymn tunes under copyright, I think this is the third or fourth hymn text of mine that has attached itself to this tune, which I have not even had opportunity to sing in worship very often. Honestly, my right hand does not know what my left hand is doing...

 

Be strong in the Lord

 Refrain:

Be strong in the Lord, in the strength of God’s power; 

Put on the whole armor of God

So then you’ll be able, all firm and stable,

To stand and withstand.

 

Wrap holy truth now around you;

Wrap yourself sure – make it fast.

Put on the breastplate of righteousness

That your defense may last.

Refrain

 

Choose holy shoes now to take you

Good news of peace to proclaim.

Shield yourself with the faith God gives you

To live in Jesus’ name.

Refrain

 

Salvation’s helmet protect you; 

Sword of the Spirit, God’s Word,

That you may ward off the flames of fear

And all the lies you’ve heard.

Refrain

 

 

Text and tune: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2021 (after Ephesians 6:10-20)

This is really not how I normally work, but in this case text and sort-tune arrived largely together about three years ago. I'm not gifted enough to create an accompaniment for the tune (someone else is working on one but can't be sure to have it usable in time, since I didn't give her much heads-up) but for those who are, here's a text for the epistle reading for Sunday, August 25. I could easily see this being sung with a leader for the verses and all on the chorus.

Jesus, you loved us first (4-part score)

Jesus, you loved us first, and love us still; 

Lead us to live within your holy will. 

Guide us to live with care, and yet with hope to dare,

In all things everywhere, your love fulfill.

 

Teach us to live within your wisdom true,

Not choosing foolishly in what we do.

Making the most of time, led by your grace sublime, 

May we in all things rhyme our lives to you.

 

Let songs of praise resound, our voices ring;

Let melodies abound in everything.

Lead us in holy psalm, loud praise or healing balm;

In conflict or in calm, lead us to sing.

 

Place in us grateful hearts; teach us to say

All of our gratitude in every way.

To You our Lord on high our praises multiply;

Let thanks be our reply here, now, today.

 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2021 (after Ephesians 5:15-20)

MUSIC: Tune SOMETHING FOR JESUS, Robert Lowry, 1871.

 

 

One thing I’ve adopted when nothing works for an extended time is to take up a tune from my past (one that doesn’t appear much in the hymnals most present in my experience nowadays) and create a text for it. This quiet Robert Lowry tune somehow cooperated with the Ephesians reading for the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost of this year, though this text is far from a close paraphrase. 

Live with care and live with wisdom

Live with care and live with wisdom;

Do not live life foolishly.

Evil days are now upon us;

Live with true integrity.

 

Filled with wisdom from the Spirit,

Know the Lord's will faithfully, 

Singing psalms and hymns together,

Praising God in melody.

 

Give your thanks to God Almighty

For all time in every place.

Give thanks in the name of Jesus,

He who saves us by his grace. 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, July 2024, after Ephesians 5:15-20.

MUSIC: Tune STUTTGART, Witt's Psalmodia Sacra, 1715. alt. 

 

 

The journey through Ephesians continues. As the epistle gets, frankly, more preachy, finding a lyrical opening can be a challenge. But with instruction about singing psalms and hymns included in the scripture itself there had to be a way to make it work as a hymn, right? 

 

Speak the truth to one another

Speak the truth to one another; let no falsehood be called true,

For we all in Christ our brother are one family made anew. 

Alleluia, Alleluia; Show this love in all you do.

 

Let your words speak not of evil; let them build up and make whole;

Speak for grace and not upheaval, bringing comfort to the soul.

Alleluia, Alleluia; Let this be your only goal.

 

Live in love, as Christ did love us, gave himself that we might live.

Imitate what he has shown us; like God's children let us give.

Alleluia, Alleluia; As God's children, we forgive.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, July 2024, after Ephesians 4:25-5:2.

MUSIC: Suggested tune UNION SEMINARY, Harold Friedell, 1957. 

       Copyright 1957, ren. H.W. Gray (admin. Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.)

 

 

I don't typically do this (in fact I try to avoid it), but the creative impulse (which is what I have instead of a creative process) seized on this copyrighted tune and spun out not just one, but three beginnings of verses. Hopefully the tune, which is a gorgeous tune, will be familiar enough for at least some churches. (Yes, the tune is copyrighted; proceed accordingly with your streaming licenses and such. I hope this small snippet might refresh some folks's memories of this tune and yet not violate anybody's copyright stuff.)

Lead lives worthy of your calling

Lead lives worthy of your calling; 

         Live in humble gentleness.

Live with love for one another,

         Slow to anger, swift to bless.

Strive for unity in Spirit,

         Joined in bonds of sacred peace.

Know the one hope of your calling,

         Hope that will not ever cease.

 

For we live in grace first given

         In the gifts of God alone,

Gifts Christ gave to build the body – 

         Gifts of grace we do not own.

Gifts of teaching and proclaiming,

         Gifts of challenge and of care;

All these gifts our Christ has given

         To his people everywhere.

 

So we live in sacred body,

         Speaking truth in holy love,

Growing always in our Savior,

         Into Christ our Head above.

Let us all praise our Creator;

         Let us praise our Savior true;

Let us praise the Holy Spirit

         In all things we say and do.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2021, after Ephesians 4:1-16.

MUSIC: Tune HOLY MANNA, William Moore's Columbian Harmony, 1825

 

 

Born of a liturgy writing workshop at the 2021 Montreat Music & Worship conference on the epistle reading for Ordinary 18B. What can I say? Hymns are liturgy, as far as I’m concerned. Now (three years later), it has a nice stable tune as well.