These hymns are used to add to the drama, and to involve the whole audience in trying to save the us all from the flood. We invite you to sing your heart out, save the day, save the world!
LORD JESUS, THINK ON ME
The words were written in Greek in the 5th Century by Synesius of Cyrene, Bishop of Ptolemais, and appears in Damon’s Psalter of 1579 to a tune known as Southwell. This translation is from late 19th century.
Lord Jesus, think on me, And purge away my sin
From earthborn passions set me free, And make me pure within. Lord Jesus, think on me, Nor let me go astray,
Through darkness and perplexity, Point thou the heavenly way.
Lord Jesus think on me, when flows the tempest high,
When on doth rush the enemy, O Saviour be thou nigh.
Lord Jesus think on me, That when the flood is past,
I may eternal brightness see, And share thy joy at last.
ETERNAL FATHER STRONG TO SAVE
Often called the Sailors’ Hymn, it was written as a poem in 1860 and set to music in 1861 by Rev John Dykes.
Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
Who bidst the mighty ocean deep, Its own appointed limits keep,
O hear us when we cry to thee, For those in peril on the sea.
O Saviour whose almighty word, the winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep, And calm amidst its rage didst sleep,
O hear us when we cry to thee, For those in peril on the sea.
O Sacred Spirit, who didst brood, Upon the chaos dark and rude,
Who badst its angry tumult cease, And gavest light and life and peace,
O hear us when we cry to thee, For those in period on the sea.
THE SPACIOUS FIRMAMENT ON HIGH
Words by Joseph Addison to the tune of the Canon by Thomas Tallis
The spacious firmament on high, With all the blue ethereal skyAnd spangled heavens, a shining frame, Their great original proclaim.
THE SUN APPEARS
Th’unwearied sun from day to day, Doth his Creator’s power display,
And publishes to every land The works of an almighty hand.
THE MOON APPEARS
Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth, Repeats the story of her birth.
THE STARS APPEAR
Whilst all the stars that round her burn, And all the planets in their turn
Confirm the tidings as they roll, and spread the truth from pole to pole.
What though in solemn silence all Move round the dark terrestrial ball,
What though nor real voice nor sound Amid their radiant orbs be found,
In reason’s ear they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine, The hand that made us is divine. Amen.
THE SPACIOUS FIRMAMENT ON HIGH
Words by Joseph Addison to the tune of the Canon by Thomas Tallis
The spacious firmament on high, With all the blue ethereal skyAnd spangled heavens, a shining frame, Their great original proclaim.
THE SUN APPEARS
Th’unwearied sun from day to day, Doth his Creator’s power display,
And publishes to every land The works of an almighty hand.
THE MOON APPEARS
Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth, Repeats the story of her birth.
THE STARS APPEAR
Whilst all the stars that round her burn, And all the planets in their turn
Confirm the tidings as they roll, and spread the truth from pole to pole.
What though in solemn silence all Move round the dark terrestrial ball,
What though nor real voice nor sound Amid their radiant orbs be found,
In reason’s ear they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine, The hand that made us is divine. Amen.