Sy Miller and Jill Jackson wrote this in 1950s and you can read the story of the song’s great success here. A text with merit, the tune is one that I can’t take to despite many attempts and having played it an awful lot (ie someone around here must like it).
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
To hear it in its full saccharine arrangement try here. Marie Osmond does it here, Vince Gill here and a full orchestra and choir do it here. There are a lot of Youtube versions out there if you want to find out if any are acceptable – perhaps a children’s choir? Interestingly, it seems to be considered a Christmas song in America. I still don’t like it much.
We sing the inclusive text (“we are family”) and I point blank refuse to repeat it – so we sing it once through and go to the final ending. My backing is the whole song though.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth,
The peace that was meant to be.With God as our Father
Brothers all are we, [We are family]
Let me walk with my brother [each other]
In perfect harmony.Let peace begin with me,
Let this be the moment now;
With every step I take,
Let this be my solemn vow:To take each moment and live each moment
In peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.(Rpt entire song with different tune for the last line)
Alternate lyrics:
With God our Creator
Family all are we,
Let us walk with each otherIn perfect harmony.
Or
With Earth as our Mother
Family all are we,
Let us walk with each otherIn perfect harmony.
© Jan-Lee Music 1955, 1983.
I think the alternate wording is sinful. How do you change a Christian hymn and twist it. Who gave those people the legal right to change the wording to suit themselves.
It will soon not be sung by anyone.
Peace is never sinful.
A hymn is a song of praise to God (or gods, not necessarily Christian) which this song is not.
Many songs in our Christian hymnals have been replaced with newer ones, and most of those old songs (over three hundred years worth) are not sung anymore. Only the future knows the fate of this song.
Both the gender-neutral and secular alternate lyrics have been copyrighted by the original licensing agent of the song: http://www.jan-leemusic.com/jan-leemusic/Copyright_Info_and_Lyrics.html
More important than all of that is that we have peace on earth.
The song was initially written for and sung by the International Children’s Choir created by Easter Beakly and Arthur Granger of the Granger Dance Academy in Long Beach, California.
The alternative lyrics are lovely! We often refer to God as our Father, our Creator, or Mother Earth… and walking with brothers/sisters IS walking with family!! It is too bad that Voices United (the United Church of Canada’s hymnal) doesn’t have it… as a newly Affirming congregation amongst the United Church of Canada, we are seeking more gender neutral songs for our Sunday Worship! This could be a new favourite!! And how can one go wrong spreading peace and love? ❤️ It’s perfect!! Blessings to all!! 🥰
And peace to you Sheila.
I must admit that now that I play at a church where I don’t have to sing it all the time, my loathing for the tune has lifted somewhat. In the words of the great Nick Lowe, “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace Love and Understanding”.
cheers
Geoff