Nottingham city centre vicar, the Revd Christopher Harrison, has written a new hymn to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible this year.



The new hymn, ‘When Earth Was Young', traces the account of God's creation of the world, his love for humanity and the sending of his Son Jesus, as described in the Old and New Testaments.  It can be sung to two different tunes, and is therefore suitable for a wide range of styles of worship, from traditional to modern.  More informal styles may prefer the folk tune 'The House of the Rising Sun', while others may opt for the four-part tune 'Irish' ('Thy kingdom come, on bended knee ...).

The hymn was first sung in Southwell Minster earlier this week, when clergy from around the diocese gathered together for a study day with the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler.

Christopher, who is vicar of  All Saints', St Mary's and St Peter's churches in the centre of Nottingham, explained: “Bishop Paul asked me to write a hymn which celebrated the Bible, and I have aimed to create something which, as well as doing this, will also be of more enduring interest. We have such a diversity of churches in our diocese that I wanted to connect it with the wide variety of ways in which people worship God today - hence the two different tunes. Trying to find words which fit quite a rigid structure is rather like verbal Sudoku, but I have to say that the most anxious moment was when over a hundred of my clergy colleagues sang it for the first time earlier this week!"

The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, said: “It’s brilliant that we have ‘home-grown’ hymn writing talent which can be appreciated by all our churches. I’m so pleased Chris has produced this hymn, which focuses on the Bible and serves as an ongoing reminder of its importance in the Christian faith we share.”

The words of the hymn are printed below, with music and words available by clicking here. If you reproduce this download, please can you be sure to credit The Revd Christopher Harrison

Links:

King James Bible Trust

Diocese of Southwell - Education Department

Ends

For further information and photo opportunities contact Rachel Farmer tel 01636 817218 mobile 077 121 86381

When Earth Was Young

1
When earth was young and life was new,
In heaven was born a plan
To pour rich blessings on the land;
God spoke, and his work began.

2
The Law that God to Moses gave
Proclaimed the ways of love;
The call the chiding prophets made
Caused hardened hearts to move.

3
Yet none could break the curse of sin;
A Saviour must descend
To ransom lost humanity,
And broken lives to mend.

4
They tried to quench His perfect love,
To judge, they said, was God's;
But who could steal His victory,
Or halt the rising Son?

5
Through many a chapter, many a verse,
The timeless truths are told;
The Word of Life in scripture shown:
Our joy, our hope, our food.

6
o blessed Holy Trinity,
The One whom we adore;
Through Bible learned, by Spirit known,
Our help, our strength, our heaven.

The Revd Christopher Harrison