I spent part of Tuesday evening watching TV images of Haiti’s devastation and getting more and more depressed. Today I learned the National Council of Churches is distributing a hymn written by a Presbyterian pastor and musician that tries to capture the anguish of this horrible earthquake.
The Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, who with her husband, Bruce, is pastor of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Del., has written, “In Haiti There is Anguish,” sung to the tune of, “Beneath the Cross of Jesus.”
SEE RELATED:If you want the music, click here:
Here is the hymn itself:
In Haiti, There is Anguish
ST. CHRISTOPHER 7.6.8.6.8.6.8.6
(“ Beneath the Cross of Jesus “)
In Haiti, there is anguish that seems too much to bear;
A land so used to sorrow now knows even more despair.
From city streets, the cries of grief rise up to hills above;
In all the sorrow, pain and death, where are you, God of love?
A woman sifts through rubble, a man has lost his home,
A hungry, orphaned toddler sobs, for she is now alone.
Where are you, Lord, when thousands die-the rich, the poorest poor?
Were you the very first to cry for all that is no more?
O God, you love your children; you hear each lifted prayer!
May all who suffer in that land know you are present there.
In moments of compassion shown, in simple acts of grace,
May those in pain find healing balm, and know your love’s embrace.
Where are you in the anguish? Lord, may we hear anew
That anywhere your world cries out, you’re there— and suffering, too.
And may we see, in others’ pain, the cross we’re called to bear;
Send out your church in Jesus’ name to pray, to serve, to share.
Tune: Frederick Charles Maker, 1881
Text: Copyright © 2010 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Churches affiliated with the National Council of Churches USA have permission to use the hymn.
- Julia Duin, religion editor
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