Almighty God, at this commemoration
(GOLDINGS HILL)
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For a service of remembrance
~~~
1 Almighty God, at this commemoration
we give you thanks for all who in the past
risked life and limb, with brave determination,
until their death secured our peace at last.
2 Though tensions rise, let poppies yet remind us
our liberation came through sacrifice:
may we take stock, put bitter thoughts behind us
and foster peace secured at such a price.
3 Peace is the key, unlocking joy and freedom,
promise fulfilled and enterprise explored
while, in response to gracious, heavenly wisdom,
rivals are reconciled and hope restored.
4 Show us the way, your Holy Spirit guiding:
open our hearts to care for those oppressed,
comfort and help for all in need providing,
upholding justice for the dispossessed.
5 O Saviour Christ, who died to banish darkness,
still at your cross the burdened find release.
Jesus our light, may we reflect your brightness
and spread the gospel of your love and peace!
~~~
Tune: GOLDINGS HILL
Metre: 11.10.11.10 Key: B♭
words © Emma Turl
music © John Turl
Sources: Matthew 5:9, Romans 5:7-8, Galatians 5:14
Themes: commemoration, death, freedom, gospel, justice, liberation, peace, poppies, reconciliation, remembrance
Keyboard Demo:
Lyric Video:
The focus of this hymn is the great cost paid by people - both military and civilian - caught up in conflict all over the world, remembering their sacrifice with sorrow and gratitude, and working and praying for the peace of the love and justice of Christ to confront, defeat and transform the evil motives which cause them. Personally I was thinking Of a great-uncle
who never returned but was drowned along with hundreds of his comrades for lack of lifeboats when their warship was torpedoed off the south coast of England. It was said that his mother never recovered from the blow. Two other great-uncles experienced life-changing injuries on the fields of Normandy, and I also had great-aunts who lost fiances as well as brothers. So many of the sad tales such as these may have faded into oblivion as people try to internalise the past and get on with their lives, yet still today unspeakable events are taking place with the agency of ever more sophisticated and deadly weapons.
John composed the tune GOLDINGS HILL in 1998 for a millennial hymn, and has since reproduced it with this lyric which shares the same first line.
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