The Summons

John L. Bell

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*****
(Based on 6 votes)

Reviews | You Rate It | Lyrics

Reviews

*****
Rev. Joanne H. from Craigville, MA on August 12, 2008
We used this hymn as our theme for our 2008 Family Camp. In the middle of the week, the children were humming it as they were tie-dying and doing arts and crafts. By the end of the week, they knew the lyrics. Initially I thought to introduce one line a day, ending on the 6th day with all the verses. But, the congregation wouldn't stop the first night I introduced it and kept going -- so the piantist picked it up and kept playing. The words are powerful; the tune ethereal. This is going to be a hard hymn to follow for next summer!!

*****
JAN from Cincinnati, OH on July 16, 2008
this song makes my eyes tear up every time we sing it at mass.

*****
Ceciley from Amherst, NS Canada on January 28, 2007
Words are so powerful yet a nice light air!

*****
Emma from Glasgow, UK on January 14, 2007
I couldn't even sing this song the first time it came up in church. I was so touched by the lyrics I almost cried!

*****
Amy on March 17, 2006
How beautiful! Soothing music, but the words are so powerful. Thank you!

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Lyrics

1. Will you come and follow me
If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know
And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
Will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown
In you and you in me?
2. Will you leave yourself behind
If I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
And never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
Should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer
In you and you in me?
3. Will you let the blinded see
If I but call your name?
Will you set the pris’ners free
And never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean,
And do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean
In you and you in me?
4. Will you love the ‘you’ you hide
If I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
And never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
To reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound
In you and you in me?
5. Lord, your summons echoes true
When you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
And never be the same.
In your company I’ll go
Where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow
In you and you in me.

Text: 76 76 77 76; John L. Bell, © 1987, The Iona Community. All rights reserved. Used with permission of GIA Publications, Inc., exclusive North American agent. Music: Trad. Scottish Melody.