Singing the Text: New Words for an Old Hymn
Abide in me the verdant living vine.
Live as a prayer; my heart and yours entwined.
Sap of my love
enlivening your days,
making distinct what hinders and what saves.
Abide in me as I abide in you;
life as a prayer sustaining what is true.
Clearing the brittle,
burning off the false,
growing desire for what is whole and lasts.
Abide in me as I abide in you.
As I love you so let your loving be.
Fruit of compassion
bear creatively.
Communion with the yearning earth set free.
Abide in me the verdant living vine.
Feel in your days the energy divine,
shaping the seasons
growing in shalom.
Abide in me your ever-living home
© 2018 Catherine Smith
Tune: EVENTIDE
Metre: 10 10 10 10
Join me on the journey. Rest, Reflect, Replenish
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When I was young, and starting to find my voice for singing in front of people, I wanted to sing this for my great aunt. But my father wouldn’t let me, he said it was a sad song sung at funerals. Thank you, Catherine, for bringing new life to a tune with a legacy of sadness. Your gift is a blessing!
I treasure this sharing Kerry. I hope these words infuse the memory of those days when you were finding your voice for singing and that you can imagine your great aunt receiving your gift.
Such wonderful words, Catherine. I am not a singer but have been “singing” through these words several times. Also, fascinated by the “vine” photo. Natural or created!
I’m glad they’re singing in you Shirley. The image is two copyright free photos that I found and loved. It felt as though together they brought something more to the text so I combined them. I love their green for these ‘springing’ days.