Hymn Lyrics Competition

It’s been a real privilege to run such a successful Hymn Lyrics Competition this month. I received numerous strong entries and I’m so grateful to everyone who took the time to take part! It was a joy to read through the submissions and notice the variety of focuses on different parts of nature and faith.

I’m also extremely grateful to the two judges, Rev. Kimberley Mannings (Vicar at Prescot Parish Church) and Stephen Mannings (Director of Music at Liverpool Cathedral), for the time they took to go through all the anonymised entries.

As you may already know, they decided that the winner was Stephen Birch, with his entry Glory To You Lord! However, despite there only being one winner, I wanted to recognise some of the other excellent entries to the competition too, so please continue reading for my other top picks!

Link to the music in case you want to follow along: https://youtu.be/AWbNz0rC9nU.

Winning Entry by Stephen Birch

In the beginning, as your voice rang out,

Light split the darkness, shining in the void.

All of creation, burst into being.

Glory to you Lord, maker of the earth.

The earth is yours Lord, crafted by your hand.

Oceans will roar, and the mountains shout.

Forests will sing, all earth be glad.

Glory to you Lord, joy of the whole earth.

Father forgive us, for our lack of care.

Earth lies exploited, by our greed and pride.

Open our ears to creation's weeping.

Glory to you Lord, healer of the earth.

Lord in your mercy, heal this broken world.

Create a new earth, free from all its pain.

All earth will praise you, now and forever.

Glory to you Lord, hope of the whole earth.

Entry by Dr Corrina Readioff

Rivers and mountains, forests and rolling seas,

Deserts and tundra, jungles and coral reefs,

World full of wonder, gift from God above,

Shaped by His wisdom, fashioned with His love.

Ferns, flowers and fungi, meadows and mighty trees,

Flora abundant with butterflies, moths, and bees

Sun, soil and rain, world where rainbows shine,

Green growing garden, alive with the power divine.

Whales, lambs, and lions, kittens and puppy dogs,

Eagles and sparrows, tigers and tiny frogs,

Evolved to His plan, placed in our care,

One world to cherish, to nurture and to share.

Small round blue wonder, set in a sea of space,

Life-bearing planet, our mortal dwelling place,

Beauties and blessings in unnumbered sum,

Pale shadow of the radiant world to come.

Entry by Josh Clarke

O how majestic is Your name O Lord

The universe displays Your splendour Lord

You set the cosmos

Spinning into motion

Sun Moon and Stars give You praise O Lord

O how majestic is Your name O Lord

Gave humans purpose in Your world O Lord

You put creation

Under our dominion

Adam and animal give You praise O Lord

O how majestic is Your name O Lord

Humanity made in Your image Lord

Why should you care or

Deign to think upon us

We mere mortals give You praise O Lord

O how majestic is Your name O Lord

You're the Beginning You're the End O Lord

Sunrise to sunset

Summer through to Winter

Giving You never-ending praise O Lord

Entry by Dr Zachary Birch-Price

Lord of the mountains, valleys and the hills,

Earth's every point bends to Your great will,

Rains feed the oceans, sun beams forth flame,

All to the glory of Your Holy name.

Lord of the mammals, fish and trees and birds,

All living things hearken to Your great word,

Small and mighty, aged and new,

Living for You Lord, knowing Your love is true.

Lord of the people stewarding all the earth,

Teach us to listen and complete Your great work,

Care for each other, care for creation,

As is in heaven, it shall be done on earth.

Lord of creation, ever we praise and sing

Of Your true wonder, and Your great majesty,

Let all the earth sing out with praise,

Live in our hearts Lord, be with us for all days.

Entry by Gary Birch

All of creation cries with joyful voice

Heavens above and seas below rejoice

Mountains bow lowly, rivers sing praises

Maker of all things, worthy to exalt.