Music Notes 1-31

Improvisation on Lasst Uns Erfreuen (All Creatures of Our God and King) by Brenda Portman

Joyful Joyful We Adore You

This exuberant hymn was written in 1907, a time when human progress seemed inevitable despite a bleak underpinning that foreshadowed conflict to come. Some have described this hymn as “Eden before The Fall” or compared it to the Fukiyaman notion of “The End of History.” We too are living in a time that refutes that concept of easy progress and blissful living, and in our present context this hymn speaks to a profound sense of hope, that is emphasized through the metaphors in each verse.

The first verse speaks to light, a common theme of late romantic poetry – light that causes flowers to bloom, light that causes clouds to disperse, driving the darkness of fear and doubt away. The second verse explores the reflection of that light in the beauty of nature, and the third extends to common humanity and solidarity. The final stanza speaks to progress, even amidst challenge.

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive our fear and doubt away;
giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.

All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
well-spring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou the Father, Christ our Brother,
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus;
stars of morning, take your part;
love divine is reigning o’er us,
binding those of tender heart.
Ever singing, move we onward,
victors in the midst of strife,
joyful music lifts us sunward
in the triumph song of life.

Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands

Put peace into each other’s hand and like a treasure hold it;
protect it like a candle flame, with tenderness enfold it.

Put peace into each other’s hands, like bread we break for sharing;
look people warmly in the eye: our life is meant for caring.

As at communion, shape your hands into a waiting cradle;
the gift of Christ receive, revere, united round the table.