As I was waiting for on-line church to start this morning I realized I had not posted my hymn of the day. I started to browse through Lift up Your Hearts hymnal (aff. link) and discovered The Servant Song.
I used to sing this song in church all time time. It was so popular, but it’s rarely sung anymore. It’s nice to go back in time a bit isn’t it?
Lyrics to The Servant Song
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear.
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
Author and History
Richard Gillard wrote The Servant Song in 1977. Born in England he moved to New Zealand when he was three years old. Although he showed early musical ability he received little formal training. He learned to play the ukelele and other instruments to accompany his own singing. A primary school teacher he attended an Anglican church.
Based on Matt 20:26b-28 “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
If you would like to see a list of songs by Richard Gillard you can find 24 of them at Song Select. Over the years this song has been modified to be politically correct.
Thinking Deeper
Sometimes I wonder how to be a servant to others. With my family it’s easy right? I can tidy and clean up after them. It’s even possible to encourage my son to be a servant by picking up after himself and helping others. Finding ways to be helpful at home is easy, it’s not always so easy with those outside your home, at least for me I find.
I know that I like to be a behind the scenes person so serving as front-line staff at the Community Kitchen isn’t my thing, but I’ve learned I can help behind the scenes to tidy/organize the pantry. Same with the Foodbank… to be the organizer, sorter of good works better for me than running around with the clients.
Oft-times though it seems like I do too little and I just don’t know how to expand beyond that. I am reminded of how Christ became a servant and that he has a purpose in doing so. How can I better be a servant? Perhaps I have too many things keeping me busy? I don’t know… but this song calls me to think more about how I can be a servant to others.
Does it do the same with you?
I have never heard this one. I really like the call of the lyrics, though. It does call us to servant-minded. Your ponderings are interesting, too, a good challenge to consider the roles we are participating in.
I find myself wanting to do something more in life, but I don’t really know what it is I should be doing….