From:
Marnie Barrell
A few years back I took the liberty of writing an amended version of "For all the Saints", since many of our congregation enjoy singing it but have reservations about some of the theology, language and imagery. In case anyone's interested, here's my alternative version:
For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
who to the world their faith in God confessed,
your name, O Jesus, be forever blessed,
alleluia!
You were their leader, true unfailing light,
column of cloud by day and fire by night,
known in the dark by faith, though lost from sight,
alleluia!
So may your people still their footsteps trace,
fired by their triumphs in the well-run race,
longing with them to see your glorious face,
alleluia!
Soon dawns the promised day of Christ our Lord
when all creation rises up restored,
and all our song, from heart and soul outpoured:
"Alleluia!"
>From every age, from dawn to setting sun,
home come the saints to God the Three-in-One,
bringing eternal praise on earth begun,
alleluia!
If anyone wants to use it, the citation should acknowledge the author (W.W. How, 1823-87) and add "this revised version: Marnie Barrell, 1992, used by permission" or similar.
Another hymn of mine on the subject of the Saints goes to the tune "Was Lebet", usually sung as "O Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness":
Sing of the saints, who were loved and made beautiful,
chosen to show us the richness of grace,
gentle, disturbing, determined and dutiful,
calling us onwards and setting the pace.
Sisters and brothers in endless variety,
each with a marvellous story to share,
reach their full stature in Heaven's society,
grown from the seed by God's infinite care.
Love raised them up from confusion and vanity,
helped them withdraw from attachment to sin,
entered their hearts to affirm their humanity,
claimed and drew forth all the treasures within.
See how they followed through every adversity,
Christ their beloved, their goal and their guide,
giving their lives in transparent simplicity,
ready to suffer and stand at his side.
Long may their stories, alive in our history,
show us the source of their wonderful powers,
pointing the way to the heart of the mystery,
drawing us closer to their God and ours.
Marnie Barrell 1992. Permission given for one-off use..