Journey From the Mind to the Heart

There is a journey facing us all,

Some kind of passion, maybe a call.

Some never make it, some come apart,

Journeying from the head to the heart.

 

Community is so hard to teach,

Ev'n with so many well within reach.

True fellowship, though, is hard to find;

Is there no path between heart and mind?

 

Pity the mind so learned and trained,

Disciplined knowledge fully maintained,

Yet with no core, no link to the heart?

Knowledge for hire; the soul has no part.

 

Where is compassion, decency, joy?

What of reflection? Is this a ploy?

Does honesty live in such a mind

When to the heart's core there is no bind?

 

What do you know, beyond any doubt?

Is there a purpose you are about?

Is there an insight vital to you,

Something behind what you say and do?

 

There is a journey facing us all,

Journey that drives our passion and call.

Never grow weary, strong from the start,

Journeying from the head to the heart.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2026, after the 2026 Sprunt Lectures, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, VA.

MUSIC: Tune ADELAIDE, George C. Stebbins, 1907.

 

 

This is probably not a general interest hymn. I wrote it after attending the aforementioned lectures given at my seminary alma mater by Dr. Gregory Ellison of Candler School of Theology, Emory University, which I attended in hope of getting some handle on the teaching and thinking of Howard Thurman. (My main conclusion is that there is no such as "getting a handle on" anything about Howard Thurman. But I digress.)  As I am increasingly becoming aware, besides being written for worship or devotion or other things, at least some of the hymns I write are just about processing things I have seen and heard. This is one of those. If anybody else who was there finds it useful, here you are. 

 

 

 

 

For those who laid down life itself (A Memorial Day Hymn?)

 For those who laid down life itself'

Our thoughts are given today; 

Who breathed their last on foreign shores

Or fell at distant gates or doors,

O Lord, teach us to pray.

 

For those who answered nation's call,

And gave their lives away

In wars both noble and unjust,

Who placed in us their dying trust:

Forgive us, Lord, we pray.

 

For families torn by raging grief 

When sorrow comes to stay, 

When loss pervades both soul and mind

And on the heart begins to grind,

Bring healing, Lord, we pray.

 

We give so much to waging war

But peace ne'er gets its say.

May all these lives rebuke us now,

And Lord, we plead, some way, somehow,

Undo our warring way.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2025 (Memorial Day)

MUSIC: Tune REST, Frederick Charles Maker, 1887.

 

 

Memorial Day has haunted me for some time even though my family has not known any losses in military service. Hearing a speaker today (5/26/25) at the Memorial Day observance at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City describe the day as a kind of secular holy day prompted some further reflection. As awkward as it may be, the church cannot keep its distance from the loss of life in the very secular exercise of nations at war. If nothing, this is hopefully a start for ... something.

Two hymns from three years ago...

 Three years ago I was able to attend the Presbyterian Association of Musicians' Worship and Music Conference at Montreat. The preacher for the week was Rev. Cecelia Armstrong. Two of her sermons, on consecutive days, touched off the two hymns noted below. Rev. Armstrong (I have met her but I don't know that I'm close enough to call her CeCe) was just elected Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which makes this a Presbyterian-style "brush with fame" for me, I guess. 

The reign of Christ compels us to bear a witness true

To glorify our Savior in all we say and do.

The Lord, who in our living is sovereign above all, 

Compels and draws us always to live into this call. 

 

As Christ first bore good witness to God’s almighty power, 

So we are charged to sound forth in this and every hour.

With calls to truth and justice, with words of peace and love,

We give our testimony to our good God above.

 

By Spirit’s power unyielding we bear that witness true,

Not just with words but actions that we are called to do.

In work that lifts up God’s own that this world calls “the least,” 

We call the world to gather at God’s own holy feast.

 

For God our king and ruler, all that we have, we give. 

Our witness is embodied in every way we live.

So let us join our living to words of love and grace,

That Christ’s own holy justice may reign in every place.

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2021.

MUSIC: Tune AURELIA, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864.

 

 

Original note: This text was provoked by a sermon by Rev. Cecilia Armstrong and service given at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship and Music Conference at Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina on June 29, 2021. The scripture from Revelation 1:4b-8, in particular the reference to Christ as “the faithful witness” in verse 5, provided the starting point for the sermon (at least as I understood it) and this hymn as well. With some references to the Parable of the Sheep and Goats added as the hymn kept developing, it also can be used for Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday, Year A.

So Jesus came to Bethany when his dear friend had died,

And Martha, Mary, all their friends, and even Jesus cried.

So those who watched his sorrow flow knew how he loved the man,

But when the tears had shed their last, the miracles began.

 

Then Jesus told those standing there, “Now roll the stone away.”

Poor Martha’s fears he brushed aside; such doubt could not betray. 

Then, lifting up a prayer above that all could see and hear,

Jesus called out to his dear friend, “Oh, Lazarus, come out here!”

 

Now Lazarus heard the Lord’s command and from his bier did rise.

His body once bound to the earth now stretched out toward the skies.

But still his hands and feet were bound; he could not walk away. 

His yearn to flee the yawning tomb the graveclothes did betray.

 

So Jesus told those standing there to tear those bonds aside.

They loosed the graveclothes, freed the man, his life now open wide.

So when you find the bonds of sin are all you feel and see,

Remember risen Lazarus; remember you are free.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, July 2021, after John 11.

MUSIC: Tune SALVATION, Kentucky Harmony, 1816.

 

 

Original note: Another hymn provoked by another worship service (same preacher) at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship & Music Conference. I don’t know if it’s the mountain air or what, but things are coming forth this week. The scripture is part of the gospel for Lent 5A, I think, which might be helpful in the future. 

An eclipse memento: Look into the darkness

Look into the darkness, different frame of being,

Free from light's demand for seeing.

For these moments fleeting, sunlight is concealed now;

Science and learning have revealed how.

Even though this we know, it is still God's wonder; 

            daytime torn asunder.

 

Swift these moments passing that the darkness holds sway;

Soon returns the light of harsh day.

In these minutes fleeting let us wait with rapture,

And a spark of awe recapture.

As we go, this we know; God has made this dark space, 

            filled it with divine grace.

 

Still in this new darkness, bright corona shining,

Gives the moon a golden lining.

Brilliant circling sliver over, 'round, and under,

Gives the daytime dark its wonder; 

Like God's love from above, circling 'round us ever,

            grace's great endeavor.

 

With the moon withdrawing, see the day returning; 

Sunshine's brilliance brightly burning.

Still the moment lingers, awe's light spark still flickering,

Drowning out our strife and bickering.

Dark sublime, for a time, daylight's reign did sever; 

            our God reigns forever.

 

Darkness is no darkness to our God unwavering,

Even when our souls are quavering.

Light and dark God favors, both in turn and measure;

Dark and light are both God's pleasure.

For this time most sublime, let us praise our Maker,

            Saver, and Caretaker.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2024; 5th verse after Psalm 139:11-12.

MUSIC: Tune ARNSBERG, Joachim Neander, 1680.

 

 

Written in anticipation of and reflection after the total eclipse of April 2024, while staying at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center for "Fernclipse," an event with programs around that eclipse. The inspiration for the final stanza somehow came with the music of Samuel Sebastian Wesley's anthem "Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace" and its bridge section suddenly blaring into my head for no apparent reason.

 

 

When sages saw a hopeful sign

When sages saw a hopeful sign in one great shining star,

They set off on a journey, no matter how bizarre, 

To see a promised King born in a Land so very far.

These sages did follow a star, traveling far.

These sages did follow a star.

 

They first came to Jerusalem where royalty did reign,

But those who heard their question pulled back in fear and pain.

They finally learned where they should go and traveled on again,

These sages still followed a star, traveling far.

These sages still followed a star.

 

The star struck forth ahead of them and brightly led the way

To Bethlehem in Judah, and there the star did stay,

And there they found the house in which the promised child did stay.

These sages had followed a star, traveling far.

These sages had followed a star.

 

They knelt in worship of the child the star foretold as King, 

But then they saw a vision that told a frightful thing,

So they went home a different way to ward off Herod's sting,

And gave thanks that they followed a star, traveling far

They gave thanks that they followed a star.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, January 2024, after Matthew 2:1-12

MUSIC: Tune GOD REST YOU MERRY (or GOD REST YE MERRY), 

            traditional English melody.

 

 

It seems as if the habit of conflating the journey of the Magi told in Matthew into the nativity story found in Luke is a hard one to break. (Even one of my own texts suitable for Epiphany does so, at least a little.) This represents an attempt to let the Matthew account stand on its own. The tune is of course from a familiar Christmas carol that seems to have faded from use, at least a little bit. (As is often the case, the tune is public domain but many arrangements you might find are not; report accordingly.)

*edited to fix error in measures 2 and 6

Let us thank our God Almighty

Let us thank our God almighty,

Let us give God all our praise.

Let us give our Christlike witness

Even to our final days. 

For the gifts of life and living,

For the love that holds us still,

We implore God's Holy Spirit

To maintain us in God's will.

 

Midst the noise of raging quarrel,

Midst the groan of endless war,

Midst the wrongs of those who claim God

But know not Christ anymore:

We are called to hold to Jesus

And maintain our gratitude,

While our life in Christlike service

Is by Spirit's work renewed.

 

We give thanks to God almighty,

We give thanks to Christ the Lord,

We give thanks to Holy Spirit,

All revealed in sacred word.

All our gratitude deserving

While the endless ages run,

Triune God we praise and worship

'Til our time on earth is done.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2023.

MUSIC: Tune JEFFERSON, Alexander Johnson's Tennessee Harmony, 1818.

 

 

Written down on Thanksgiving Day 2023, and I suppose it has something of thanksgiving (or gratitude if you prefer) about it. 

O hear this word today

O hear this word today; you live in God's full care,

A God who writes upon your heart that God is there.

O hear, this day, the word that tells you whose you are! O hear, this day!

 

O hear this word today; God is our fortress strong, 

A bulwark never failing for our whole lives long. 

O hear, this day, the word that tells you whose you are! O hear, this day!

 

O hear this word today; In Christ you are redeemed. 

Even in his death Christ saves you still by grace undreamed!

O hear, this day, the word that tells you whose you are! O hear, this day!

 

O hear this word today; In Christ you are set free

From sin and death, to know Christ's truth eternally.

O hear, this day, the word that tells you whose you are! O hear, this day!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, October 2023; after Reformation Sunday scriptures.

MUSIC: Tune DARWALL'S 148th, John Darwall, 1770.

 

 

While Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 46, Romans 3:19-28, and John 8:31-36 are not RCL readings for Reformation Sunday, they have gained some traction as scriptures from which ideas for that occasion can be worked out. Yes, there's a little Martin Luther quotation in stanza 2. 

 

 

Sometimes the parting

Sometimes the parting leaves grieving and sorrow,

Sometimes the leaving brings anger and fear.

Sometimes the urge is to wait 'til tomorrow,

And yet the Spirit calls us to draw near.

 

Sometimes the task is to reckon our hurting,

Sometimes the work is to look deep within. 

Sometimes the loss is just too disconcerting,

And yet our call is to rise up again.

 

Sometimes we linger on those who departed,

Sometimes we fret over lost pride and power.

Sometimes the wish is to stop what we started, 

And yet we're called to reach out every hour.

 

Those who are seeking, alone, sad, and fearful,

Those who are barred from another church door;

Can we give welcome to those shunned and fearful,

Welcome God's children now and evermore?

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, July 2023.

MUSIC: Suggested tune MORNING SONG, James P. Harding, 1892.

 

 

Written while attending The Art of Transitional Ministry workshop, week 2, at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center on Lake Tahoe in Nevada.

Through the Hands of Friends

God's mighty works are sometimes seen 

In great and marvelous ways;

In miracles or deeds of power 

Great glory God displays.

And yet how often we have known

That, to achieve these ends,

The workings of the Lord our God

Come through the hands of friends.

 

Those friends who lend a helping hand

At time of crucial need,

And labors that seemed all but lost

Are finished by this deed; 

In gifts of time and energy

Then come great dividends, 

When many hands make lighter work

Done by the hands of friends.

 

In costly deeds or simple steps

We help each other through

When one among us is at loss,

Does not know what to do.

What seems a simple kindly deed

Now so much more portends: 

The love of God made manifest,

Shown through the hands of friends.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2023.

MUSIC: Possible tunes: 

            ELLACOMBE, Gesangbuch der Herzogl. Wirtembergischen Katholischen Hofkapelle,                                                1784; alt. 1868.

            NOEL, English melody; arr. Arthur S. Sullivan, 1874 (used here).

 

Written after receiving some desperately needed help at the last minute in preparing to move.

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.  

 

 

Come, you faithful ones, rejoicing (new tune!)

Come, you faithful ones, rejoicing;

            Come, you seekers of our God!

See the wondrous incarnation;

            Come, be joyful and be awed!

See this infant and behold

            God in human flesh enrolled!

See the wonder of salvation

            Come to us and every nation.

 

With the shepherds watch and wonder

            At this unexpected sight:

See the child with mother Mary,

            Wrapped against the chill of night.

Yet this infant that you see

            Son of God has come to be.

Let your praise be now unceasing

            And with love your joy increasing!

 

Celebrate the child Messiah!

            Celebrate the newborn Lord!

Celebrate with songs of gladness!

            Celebrate with one accord!

Let the good news spread abroad

            Of our incarnated God!

For this saving love endeavor

            Glory to our God forever!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, January 2022.

MUSIC: Tune NEWBORN LORD, Dreama Lovitt, November 2022. Used by permission.

The most exciting thing! This Christmas text from last year has a rollicking fun new tune! (Hopefully I don't sabotage it at our Christmas Eve service with my attempts to play the tambourine part...)

All creatures of our God on high

All creatures of our God on high,

Who swim and run and hop and fly,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Cry out from land and sea and air!

Cry praise to God from everywhere!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Cry praise, you lions on the plain,

You goats who roam the high terrain,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Cry out, you whales that roam the deep,

You otters, who your vigil keep,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Sing out your praises from the sky,

You birds who 'cross the heavens fly!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

You bees and insects that take flight,

Sound forth your praise before God's sight!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

You who our homes do fill with grace,

Cry out your praise from every place!

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Cats, dogs, and rabbits, many more; 

Birds, fish your Maker now adore!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Animals all, join in the song!

All creatures to our God belong.

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

All you who run, swim, or take wing,

Lift up your voice and with us sing!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, October 2022, after St. Francis of Assissi

MUSIC: Tune LASST UNS EFREUEN, Geistlichen Kirkengesang, 1623; alt.

One of the results of a hymn workshop I attended October 19-22. Did you ever notice that there really aren't all that many creatures in "All creatures of our God and King"? Our clinician did, and that meant I couldn't sleep until I came up with something to address that deficit. I could see it for a "blessing of the animals" event or maybe a Creation season service especially, but that doesn't mean it can't be used other times. 

 

In life, in death, we are God's own

In life, in death, we are God's own, in this life and beyond.

Through Jesus's grace, through God's true love, through Holy Spirit's bond,

We trust in God, the One in Three, in Israel's Holy One. 

We serve and worship God alone, from now till time is done.

 

We trust in Jesus, man and God, whose life became our call.

We trust in the creating God, we in that image all.

We trust in Holy Spirit who renews our life each day.

In Spirit's power, with thanks to God, we serve in Christ's own way.

 

With all who claim the name of Christ, in every time and place,

Rejoice that none can keep us from God's love in Jesus's grace.

All glory to the Father high, all glory to the Son,

All glory to the Spirit dear, the blessed Three in One.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, October 2022, after A Brief Statement of Faith.

MUSIC: Suggested tune RESIGNATION, USA folk melody, Lewis's Beauties of Harmony, 1828.

 

 

Still contemplating A Brief Statement of Faith. While the middle verse cannot possibly hope to encompass the richness of those three central sections of the statement, this hymn does give the opening and closing of the statement their time to shine. As for the tune, apparently when in doubt I run to RESIGNATION.