Description
Kallman Creates Publication
For unison voices, piano, and opt. flute. Lyrics by Christine Kallman (see below).
Duration: 4’00”
Also see the full youth choir church musical Jubilee, We Are Set Free!
Listen to “Hear Us, Oh Lord” (excerpt)
(Original cast recording, Bethel Lutheran Church, Northfield, MN, 1999)
View “Hear Us, Oh Lord”
Composer’s Notes
This piece is taken from the youth musical Jubilee, We Are Set Free! The text is a reworking of the words of the confession: “Hear us, hear us, hear us, O Lord. By your loving Spirit let mercy be poured. Forgive us, renew us and lead us we pray, till our path and yours become one joyful way.” Here is the complete text:
(Refrain:) Hear us, hear us, hear us, oh Lord!
By your loving spirit let mercy be poured!
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us we pray
’til our path and yours become one joyful way.
Defiant and stubborn and standing alone,
I thought I could manage my life on my own.
I confess now that where I had thought I was strong
I was weak, Lord, and foolish– entirely wrong.
(Refrain:)
Day after day, in my thoughts, what I say,
My actions, or lack of them, push you away.
God, I’m no saint! I’m a failure, it’s true.
What I should do, I don’t,
What I should not, I do.
(Refrain:)
You ask for my love, but I only hold back
And care for myself though I see others lack.
Self-righteous, judgmental and proudly unjust,
for Jesus’ sake, listen! Have mercy on us!
© Christine Kallman, 1999, All Rights Reserved
