We Come to Taste Your Living Bread (Communion Hymn)

text: Gary Hicks (October 17, 2005, revised April 30, 2010)

music: O God, Our Help in Ages Past (ST. ANNE) (C.M.) 

by William Croft (1678-1727)

1. We come to taste Your living bread

To drink Your mystic wine

The blood and body of our Lord

The Savior of mankind.

2. O God, what wondrous love is this

That cancels out our guilt

And offers heaven’s hope to all

By blood so cruelly spilt?

3. In awe we yield to such a love

That paid its dreadful cost:

One crushed and bleeding sacrifice

Upon a rough-hewn cross.

4. Our boast, our trust is Christ alone

Our ris’n, exalted Lord

Forever by Your blood-bought Church

Be worshiped and adored!

All Nature Rejoices

This hymn was begun in 1995, altered in 1996, and completed today (April 29, 2010).

tune: ASH GROVE, traditional Welsh melody

All nature rejoices

We lift up our voices

Together proclaiming the goodness of the Lord.

With glad hearts we bless Him

And glad tongues confess Him

Who ever is faithful, fulfilling His word.

And Christ is our glory,

His life our sweet story

God’s mercy come down and made flesh as a man,

To suffer disgrace,

To die in our place

Then rise up victorious, God’s eternal plan.

And on this new morning

God’s grace is adorning

The pathway before us, for He is our light

No matter what sorrow

We long for tomorrow

When, free from our shackles, the faith becomes sight.
And all of creation,
From each tribe and nation,
Will join in the singing and join in the dance:

What glory, what wonder

As glad voices thunder

The praise of our Saviour with uplifted hands.

O God of Every Nation (new hymn-poem)

This is one of the best hymn-poems I have written, in my estimation. I've written many that aren't worth much, with the hope that perhaps one in one hundred might have some lasting usefulness and value.

words: Gary Hicks (January 10, 2006) © 2006 Gary L. Hicks

tune: All Glory, Laud, and Honor (“St. Theodulph,” Melchior Teschner, 1615)

O God of every nation, we praise You, Lord of all;

Into Your courts we gather, before Your throne we fall;

We cast our crowns before You, all honour we have gained,

For You alone are worthy, and You alone shall reign.

From every distant nation, from every tribe and tongue

Your tribute now is offered, Your praises now are sung;

In awe and speechless wonder we bow before Your throne

To magnify Your glory, to worship God alone.

There is no other Saviour, no Helper, Guide or Friend,

But You are Lord immortal, Your rule shall never end.

All other crowns shall perish, all other kingdoms cease,

But You shall reign forever With justice, grace and peace.

You Are the Righteous, You Are the Holy

music: traditional Gaelic melody BUNESSAN 5.5.5.4.D. (Morning Has Broken)
words: Gary Hicks © 2010


1. You are the Righteous, You are the Holy
Brilliant in splendour, brighter than all
Angels surround You, Bow down before You
Sing in their wonder, heavy with awe.

2. Judge of the nations, perfect in wisdom
Strong in compassion, plenteous in grace
High from Your heaven, low to my dwelling
Came a Redeemer, died in my place.

3. Fierce is this ocean crushing my vessel
You are my hope, LORD, deep in these waves
You are my harbour, You are my Saviour
Strong to deliver, mighty to save.

4. Alleluia, LORD we acclaim You
Proudly we name you Master and Friend
Shout of Your goodness, sing of your mercy
Alleluia! – world without end!

Let This Day Be A Sacrifice (Il Est Ne)

tune: IL EST NE, traditional French carol

LET THIS DAY BE A SACRIFICE

OFFERED IN PRAISE TO THE KING OF HEAVEN

LET THIS DAY BE A SACRIFICE

MAY I BE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE.

Praise is more than a sweet, sweet song

More than feelings of joy and gladness

Praise is more than a sweet, sweet song

I must follow my Lord along.

Father, I give You all my life

Ev'ry word, ev'ry thought and action

Father, I give You all my life

May this day be a sacrifice.

Communion of Saints (a prose poem)

They come from everywhere
Every mountain and molehill
Every part of town
Every subdivision and rural vista
Some from the greatest generation
Grizzled veterans who've seen it all
Pretty old women with rouge and compacts
Hankies and white gloves
Seen the Depression and Auschwitz and Guam
Nylon stockings and Rosie the riveter
Some are old boomers
Gold Caddies and beige leisure suits
Eight-tracks in the closet
And the Xers with kids of their own
Digital this and cellular that
Teens in blue jeans and lip gloss
Boys and girls with eager eyes
And when the organ plays
All rise
Moving forward with hushed solemnity
"The body of Christ, broken for you,
The blood of Christ, shed for you."
Saints and sinners, mean and nice alike
Democrats, Republicans
From every nation and tribe and tongue, actually
Some kneeling, some crossing themselves
Coming to the table of mercy
Coming to grace
Coming to the cross.

Where is the Light of the First Love

Where is the light of the first love,

Fiery devotion I knew,

Once when my heart was so tender,

Once when my motives were true?

Where is the flame of the blow-torch,

Strong for my Lord and His lost

Joy in devotion and purpose,

Grace that has counted the cost?

Think of how far I have fallen!

I must return to the cross

Linger in silence before Him

Count all attainments as loss

Turn from my sin to His mercy

Ponder His wonderful ways

Fall on my face and cry Holy

Sing Him a new song of praise

Oh, oh, oh, Hallelujah! Oh, oh, oh, Hallelujah!

Oh, oh, oh, Hallelujah! Oh, oh, oh, Hallelujah!

words: Gary Hicks (April 23, 2010)

Advent Hymn (Come to Bethlehem and Worship) revised

Come to Bethlehem and worship

Kneel before Emmanuel
Pilgrims, kings and lowly shepherds
Praise His name, His glories tell
Alleluia! Alleluia! 

God has come with man to dwell.

Come to Calvary and worship
Kneel before the dying Lamb
On Himself our sins He carries
See His pierced and bleeding hands
Alleluia! Alleluia!
In our place condemned He stands.

Jesus, Lord and Living Savior
Set our wayward hearts aflame
As we bow in adoration
As Your mercies we proclaim
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Help us magnify Your name!

words: Gary Hicks, 3rd verse revised April 23, 2010
music: John Goss, 1869 LAUDA ANIMA 8.7.8.7.8.7.

Behold I Come

Advent Hymn

Come to Bethlehem and worship
Kneel before Emmanuel
Pilgrims, kings and lowly shepherds
Praise His name, His glories tell
Alleluia! Alleluia!

God has come with man to dwell.


Come to Calvary and worship
Kneel before the dying Lamb
On Himself our sins He carries
See His pierced and bleeding hands
Alleluia! Alleluia!
In our place condemned He stands.


Jesus Christ, our Living Savior
Now we come with hearts aflame
Now we bow in adoration
Now Your wonders we proclaim
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Help us magnify Your name!


ADVENT HYMN
words: Gary Hicks
music: John Goss, 1869 LAUDA ANIMA 8.7.8.7.8.7.

Today I Fall Upon Your Grace

1. You are my hope and confidence 
for this unsteady day

While other hopes are few and weak, 
which shine but fade away

I need a rock, an anchoring place

Today I fall upon Your grace.


2. You are my ancient remedy, 

my everlasting cure

And deep within I rise, convinced 
this remedy is sure

I need a rock, a healing place

Today I fall upon Your grace.


3. You are the chosen sacrifice, 
the sacrificial Lamb,

And on that distant lonely hill 

You bore the sins of man

You are my rock, my saving place

Today I fall upon Your grace.


4. You are my steady Comforter, 

and closer than my breath

Your mighty arms will carry me 
beyond the pains of death

I need a rock, a hiding place

Today I fall upon Your grace.

Happy Day (a new tune for a 256-year old hymn)

http://www.fileden.com/files/2010/4/10/2823810/Happy%20Day%20(Doddridge-Hicks).pdf

Here's a link to HAPPY DAY, a new tune and chorus for Philip Doddridge's old hymn. Doddridge originally write it in 1755 (with at least 5 verses). It would have been sung to a "Long Meter" tune of some kind. Then in 1854 Edward Rimbault added a chorus and apparently provided the tune with which we're we're familiar. This (new) tune has been running around in my head for a year or so, and I've finally written out the notation (four-part harmony). I may put an audio-visual clip of this on YouTube by the weekend. Please let me know what you think, and suggestions are welcomed.

Beyond the Tinsel

The presents are wrapped in green, red and white
The trees are adorned in profusion,
And the tinsel shines bright on this Christmas night
But what lies beyond the illusion?

A mother and dad in their middle-class home,
Have tucked their children in bed,
But dad cannot see what's under the tree,
He thinks of another instead.

Not far away in an eight by eight cell
The prisoner awaits to discover his sentence is long
Though he's done no wrong.
He's been blamed for the crime of another.

And shuffling along with his bottle clenched tight
The old man is heard to mutter
Of peace on the earth, good-will to all men
As he slumps in a heap in the gutter.

And a baby is born in a home for girls.
Of course, no-one's expected to bother
With these naughty ones who fight for their sons
Though they'll grow up not knowing their fathers.

Then for a moment the world stands still
And a bright light covers the earth.
And a special love shines down from above
Making all men aware of their worth.

A mother and dad tuck their children in bed
And their love for each other grows stronger.
The pris'ner, though bound, shouts a jubilant sound
For his chains hold him captive no longer.

Up from the gutter with purpose and poise
A new man finds shelter and love.
And a mother smiles at her little child
A blessing of God from above.

Oh wouldn't it be a wonderful thing
If a light would cover the earth?
And a special love shine down from above
Making all men aware of their worth?

But the presents are wrapped in green, red and white
The trees are adorned in profusion
And the tinsel shines bright, distorting the light
Of what lies beyond the illusion

But pretend for a moment the world does stand still
And a bright light covers the earth
And the love that they see, from just you and me,
Makes all men aware of their worth.

Wrap your presents in green, red and white,
And adorn your tree in profusion
But don't let the tinsel distort the truth,
God's love lies beyond the illusion.

Betty MacPherson Johnson, 26 Nov. 1985
Inspired by Rev. R.H. Nicholson and dedicated to his memory.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS80l6G2G9o

Behold I Come

Behold I come In majesty and power
No one knows the day, No one knows the hour
To gather all the children Called by my name
To gather all the little ones, The ones for whom I came

For those who persevered, Who learned to know the cost
Those who would not yield, Who counted all but loss
Rise up and rejoice, Your day is now at hand
Words of hope and joy Echo in the land


Those who paid the price, Those who gave their all
Through fire and through trial
Who answered heaven's call
Your triumph now is here, Know it was not in vain
No more sorrow, no more tears, No more misery or pain


CHORUS: Behold I come! Let your spirit rise
It’s time to take your wing To mansions in the sky
Lift your eyes t’ward heaven, Hear the angels sing
Singing glory to the Lamb And praises to the King

Salvation Song

In the image of God, and after His likeness

We’re formed by omnipotent hands

The beauty we sense, deep longings for goodness

Betray His original plans.

But scarred by the fall, and broken from greatness

We wander a silent domain

For how can we sing in the land of our captor

Or echo a joyous refrain?

But the music of God, His heart full of mercy

Could not be cut off from the earth

And down from that throne, and out of God’s heaven

Came Jesus, obscure in his birth.

Acquainted with grief, ignored by the masses

A servant, a teacher, a song

To die on a cross, like a lamb to the slaughter

Despised by the arrogant throng.

Then out of the tomb, and up from the ashes

He rose again, mighty to save

Appeared on the earth, Ascended to heaven

Now where is your victory, O grave?

And though we were silent, a song has begun

A symphony over the land

And though we are scarred, all our chains have been broken

In Jesus, our Victor we stand.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

And though we are scarred, all our chains have been broken

In Jesus, our Victor we stand.

The New Hymns Blog

This blog is meant to work in tandem with the NEW HYMNS Facebook group.
It should allow for longer posts and for easy linking with various webpages.
Please share ideas with us about how to conduct this continuing dialogue more efficiently.
Thanks!