Reflections on this morning's anthem

We went to church this morning and sang in a small choir. We sang a hymn with words by Shirley Erena Murray, a prolific hymn-writer in New Zealand whose work I have often admired; one of my favorites among contemporary hymn-writers. I was saddened to learn that she died last year, January, 2020. I had not known that until now. The hymn we sang was A Place at the Table. ******************************************************** 1 For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born, clean water and bread, a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead. ********************************************************* Refrain: And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace: yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy. ********************************************************* 2 For woman and man, a place at the table, revising the roles, deciding the share, with wisdom and grace dividing the power, for woman and man, a system that's fair. [Refrain] ********************************************************* 3 For young and for old, a place at the table, a voice to be heard, a part in the song, the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled, for young and for old, the right to belong. [Refrain] ********************************************************* 4 For just and unjust, a place at the table, abuser, abused, with need to forgive, in anger, in hurt, a mindset of mercy, for just and unjust, a new way to live. [Refrain] ********************************************************* 5 For everyone born, a place at the table, to live without fear, and simply to be, to work, to speak out, to witness and worship, for everyone born, the right to be free. [Refrain] ********************************************************* I did not realize until just now that there are two verses of this hymn we did not sing - Vss. 2 and 4. Hmmm., I wonder why? This is, I suppose, a fairly radical hymn which some folks, certainly, would take exception to. But I would be surprised if either our pastor or our choir director would think that. It may be something as simple as needing to make it briefer - five verses is a lot of verses for an anthem. But it is interesting that it was these (somwehat more radical) verses that were omitted. But as I learn more about this anthem, especially about the origin of the musical setting (see below), I'm wondering if maybe the publisher of the anthem might be a conservative press which made the decision to omit vss. 2 and 4. I'll have to ask Peter about that. LATER Yes, after talking to Peter, I have learned that the score he purchased online came only with vss. 1, 3, and 5. It is very possible that Mary McDonald composed this piece for this hymn, and she is the one who left out vss. 2 and 4. That feels like the most plausible explanation. I wonder how Shirley Murray felt about that?

Shirley Erena Murray (1931-2020)********************** These words have been set to more than one tune. Our setting this morning was composed by Mary McDonald, and had a rousing, gospel beat. It was fun to sing. However, it is not the tune that you find this hymn set to when you go to "Hymnary.org" which is the online resource for hymns. Mary McDonald, I learn, is a prolific Southern Baptist composer of hymn tunes and anthems. I have to imagine that Mary McDonald and Shirley Murray might not see eye-to-eye theologically! And when you look at their pictures, you feel they are from two very different cultures, or at least very different generations. They seem to be an unlkely team. However, the hymn and the tune work very well together. I think there is a lesson in there somewhere!

Mary McDonald (b. circa 1957)