A love song for all to enjoy

It’s not often that I can brag about the music at our church. I’m more of an organ loving traditionalist when it comes to church music. But Sunday, accompanied by our very accomplished pianist, we sang a hymn that brought tears to my eyes.

Written in 1978 by Richard Gillard, a British born immigrant to New Zealand, this hymn has found favor in many hymnals since its publication in 1978.

I would like to change this powerful hymn’s name to the “Marriage Proposal Song”, as it should be sung by every man to the woman he loves as a marriage proposal. Forget the balloons, the flashy words on the Marque, the other secular, superficial, frivolous facets of fancy that are so popular today’s proposals. All of life and love are gathered into these few lines.

Imagine holding the love of your life and singing this proposal to her, or being held by him as he sings it to you or as you read it below.

The Servant Song

Will you let me be your servant                                                              Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too.

We are pilgrims on the journey
We are brothers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ light for you                                                            In the night time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping                                                   When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born to all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.

Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too.

If you like, click to hear it sung