Anthem for Sunday January 18, 2009
(Human Relations Sunday)
DISTANT LAND: A Prayer for Freedom
Music and lyrics by John Rutter
To hear the publisher's recording of this anthem, click here
I see a distant land: it shines so clear.
Sometimes it seems so far, sometimes so near.
Come, join together, take the dusty road;
Help one another: share the heavy load.
The journey may be long: no end in sight:
There may be hills to climb, or giants to fight:
But if you'll take my hand,
We'll walk together toward the land
Of freedom, freedom, freedom.I hear a distant song: it fills the air.
I hear it, deep and strong, rise up in prayer:
'O Lord, we are many; help us to be one.
Heal our divisions: let thy will be done.'
I know the time will come when war must cease:
A time of truth and love, a time of peace.
The people cry, 'How long?
Ttill all our world can join the song
Of freedom, freedom.'I touch a distant hand and feel its glow,
The hand I hoped was there: at last I know.
Swords into ploughshares: can it all be true?
Friends out of strangers: start with me and you.
I see another time, another place
Where we can all be one, one human race.
The walls will melt away,
We'll come together on the day
Of freedom, freedom, freedom.
