New Words to Old Hymn

The Beginning of a Journey

Three years ago Chris and I decided to enter a Hymn writing contest with the United Church. The task was to create an Easter Hymn based on part of the United Church “Song of Faith”. This venture was really the beginning of a journey for us as a ministry team where we have discovered a creative energy that fills our passion for ministry and for the proclamation of the Gospel.

The Creative Process

Some of the things we have written we have already shared with many of you. Part of the creative process is writing and rewriting and rewriting again. Sometimes what results is a new hymn or liturgical resource and sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes what emerges are new words to old hymn tunes.

Here is one that I wrote recently while thinking about the Holy Week journey.

Walk the Path of Jesus
(sung to the tune, Beneath the Cross) ( Holy Week)

We walk the path of Jesus that leads to Calvary
the journey of a special man for those with eyes to see
But hearts were hard and eyes were closed no rest upon the way
from the burning of the noontide heat and the burden of the day

He walked the path of sorrow and all his friends, they fled
Then Pilate asked him who he was and in response he said
You’re right to say that I am King and this I came to be
To speak the truth to everyone that all the world might see

So with one voice they shouted “He must be crucified!”
They stripped him of the clothes he wore and then his hands were tied
He bore the cross thru city streets to rest upon a hill
as they raised the cross to crucify, the world around grew still

Blessings
Valerie