Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou My Vision
Kyle Pederson (2022)
Voicing: SATB
Accompaniment: Piano with optional C instrument
Text: Kyle Pederson and Handt Hanson
LYRICS:
Give us Your vision, Lord, this is our prayer.
Help us to see when the way is not clear.
Gift us with wisdom and lead us we pray;
let grace be our calling, our strength for today.
Send us in power so we may be
all you intended--Your hands and Your feet.
A gift freely given, the hope for rebirth--
the kingdom of heaven at work on the earth.
All of creation with one voice declare,
"Hope, love, and mercy dispels our despair.
As we bear Your image to all humankind,
waking and sleeping Your presence, our light."
Program Note:
Be Thou My Vision has always been one of my favorite hymns. For this arrangement, I adapted the melody to a 4/4 meter, rather than the usual 3/4, and played with more modern chord progressions throughout. The effect, I hope, is to breathe new life into this classic hymn so that it might resonate in new ways with both choirs and listeners.
An optional oboe part is provided, though the choir is welcome to substitute another C instrument if preferred (for ex, violin, flute).
In the final several measures, the choir has the option to pronounce a blessing over the congregation/audience. Possible language and accompanying gestures are provided, though the choir is welcome to create their own blessing or narration. If including some sort of blessing here, this piece would work well as the benediction in a service--reminding the listener that God's spirit surrounds us when we leave the worship space.