This one is a surprise. The lovely tune is by Jane Wood, the general editor of Gather Australia and the text is by a Mark Coleridge who I have to assume went on to become the current Archbishop of Brisbane. I can’t confirm this so if anyone knows different do let me know.
Assuming it is his text, I will risk putting up the words, as this song is really pretty obscure, and it also isn’t bad at all. It has a touch of the John Bell about it.
They say Archbishop Coleridge is destined for a red hat and is the pick of the Bishops in Australia (but only if you don’t count the Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD of Parramatta who is an absolute gem) but whenever I listen to him you get the idea that Coleridge wants to open out the discussion and widen perspectives on the Gospel until it impinges on matters of authority and then he slams shut all discussion in terror. That’s just my opinion of course.
Who knows perhaps he really will become a Cardinal and help “bring to birth the new world we await.”
In the mean time why not sing along with my backing using BIAB’s harp:
- Shaping Spirit of God, lighting the dark with a word,
Turning mounds of silent death, to shining night of stars:
Move over us! Make us new! Move over us! Make us new!
2. Shaping Spirit of God, moulding the child of old age,
Turning Sarah’s buried cry to laughter’s song of joy:
Move over us! Make us new! Move over us! Make us new!
3. Shaping Spirit of God, guiding the slaves to a land,
Parting seas of failing hope to open freedom’s way:
Move over us! Make us new! Move over us! Make us new!
4. Shaping Spirit of God, leading the Lord from a tomb,
Turning wounds to living springs that water barren earth:
Move over us! Make us new! Move over us! Make us new!
5. Shaping Spirit of God, crying in hope from our heart:
Come, Lord Jesus! Bring to birth the new world we await!
Move over us! Make us new! Move over us! Make us new!
© Mark Coleridge 1987.