Hymns for the Pandemic
Two hymns that might be useful as hopefully we emerge from the pandemic. First, a hymn of thanksgiving for the NHS and other key workers and volunteers whose courage and commitment have been so vital in the past months.
O God who longs to make us whole
A hymn celebrating the founding and work of the NHS, written in 1998 for a special service in Leicester Cathedral celebrating the NHS 50th anniversary
Tune: Kingsfold – English traditional melody collected by Lucy Broadwood (1858-1929)
1
O God who longs to make us whole in body, spirit, mind,
we praise you for the hopes and dreams you share with humankind:
for those in pow’r whom you inspired to share the nation’s wealth,
that rich and poor alike might know security and health.
2
We give you thanks for those who strive that knowledge might increase;
for all in office, ward or home whose efforts never cease;
for those who give of wealth or self, who care or who campaign,
and all who bravely watch and wait to share your people’s pain;
3[1]
for those in countless walks of life who daily work and strive
to keep each other safe and well, and help the weak to thrive;
for those who go beyond the call in myriad other ways,
and keep alive the light of hope in dark and cheerless days.
4
O give us grace to trust your love when hope remains concealed,
to watch and pray beside the ones who are not swiftly healed.
And grant us faith, when death itself provides its own release,
to trust in your undying love to give them perfect peace.
5
Give us, O God, your loving zeal to comfort, heal and save,
to care for one another ‘from the cradle to the grave’.
Then north to south, and east to west, let love and hope extend,
until the universe is whole and justice knows no end.
Michael Forster (B 1946)
© 1998 & 2021 Michael Forster
The text may be reproduced royalty-free for use in worship, as long as authorship and copyright are acknowledged, no alterations are made and this authorisation is printed in full on all copies.
[1] This new verse was added in 2021 to recognise the efforts and courage of people other than NHS staff during the pandemic
In Glad and Sad Remembrance
Tune: Jupiter (from Holst’s Planet Suite) – usually sung to ‘I vow to thee my country
This text was written in 2004 for a hospital memorial service, held annually to commemorate all who had died there in the past. Clearly, for that purpose a hymn was needed that could be sung by a multicultural congregation.
In glad and sad remembrance we gather to recall
the lives, in all their fullness that made and changed us all:
the hopes and disappointments, the sorrow and the joy,
the laughter-laden mem’ries that death could not destroy
the love that touched and held us, the faith that set us free,
the hope that still inspires us to be what we might be;
We join in recognising the common need we share
to value and be valued, receive and offer care;
to sing for joy and sorrow, to celebrate and grieve,
to nurture and be nurtured, to give and to receive.
So hope perfects within us her holy human sign,
to each in each revealing the face of love divine
Le this be our commitment to those we honour here:
a vision of creation set free from pain and fear;
we bear the gifts they gave us beyond this time and space,
so every chance encounter becomes a work of grace:
from eye to eye, from hand to hand, from soul to searching soul,
love dances through our griefs and joys to make creation whole.
Michael Forster
Copyright Kevin Mayhew Ltd., Buxhall, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 3BW
Used by permission.
CCL Licence no
Two hymns that might be useful as hopefully we emerge from the pandemic. First, a hymn of thanksgiving for the NHS and other key workers and volunteers whose courage and commitment have been so vital in the past months.
O God who longs to make us whole
A hymn celebrating the founding and work of the NHS, written in 1998 for a special service in Leicester Cathedral celebrating the NHS 50th anniversary
Tune: Kingsfold – English traditional melody collected by Lucy Broadwood (1858-1929)
1
O God who longs to make us whole in body, spirit, mind,
we praise you for the hopes and dreams you share with humankind:
for those in pow’r whom you inspired to share the nation’s wealth,
that rich and poor alike might know security and health.
2
We give you thanks for those who strive that knowledge might increase;
for all in office, ward or home whose efforts never cease;
for those who give of wealth or self, who care or who campaign,
and all who bravely watch and wait to share your people’s pain;
3[1]
for those in countless walks of life who daily work and strive
to keep each other safe and well, and help the weak to thrive;
for those who go beyond the call in myriad other ways,
and keep alive the light of hope in dark and cheerless days.
4
O give us grace to trust your love when hope remains concealed,
to watch and pray beside the ones who are not swiftly healed.
And grant us faith, when death itself provides its own release,
to trust in your undying love to give them perfect peace.
5
Give us, O God, your loving zeal to comfort, heal and save,
to care for one another ‘from the cradle to the grave’.
Then north to south, and east to west, let love and hope extend,
until the universe is whole and justice knows no end.
Michael Forster (B 1946)
© 1998 & 2021 Michael Forster
The text may be reproduced royalty-free for use in worship, as long as authorship and copyright are acknowledged, no alterations are made and this authorisation is printed in full on all copies.
[1] This new verse was added in 2021 to recognise the efforts and courage of people other than NHS staff during the pandemic
In Glad and Sad Remembrance
Tune: Jupiter (from Holst’s Planet Suite) – usually sung to ‘I vow to thee my country
This text was written in 2004 for a hospital memorial service, held annually to commemorate all who had died there in the past. Clearly, for that purpose a hymn was needed that could be sung by a multicultural congregation.
In glad and sad remembrance we gather to recall
the lives, in all their fullness that made and changed us all:
the hopes and disappointments, the sorrow and the joy,
the laughter-laden mem’ries that death could not destroy
the love that touched and held us, the faith that set us free,
the hope that still inspires us to be what we might be;
We join in recognising the common need we share
to value and be valued, receive and offer care;
to sing for joy and sorrow, to celebrate and grieve,
to nurture and be nurtured, to give and to receive.
So hope perfects within us her holy human sign,
to each in each revealing the face of love divine
Le this be our commitment to those we honour here:
a vision of creation set free from pain and fear;
we bear the gifts they gave us beyond this time and space,
so every chance encounter becomes a work of grace:
from eye to eye, from hand to hand, from soul to searching soul,
love dances through our griefs and joys to make creation whole.
Michael Forster
Copyright Kevin Mayhew Ltd., Buxhall, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 3BW
Used by permission.
CCL Licence no