This is an ambitious title from Michael Herry’s collection, Dare to Dream.
It is a choir piece (women, tenors, basses, cantor) and utilises didgeridoo. The music is by Herry and the text by Tricia Walsh. Getting from the slow verse to the fast refrain efficiently is the trick.
The sheet music is free from the Marists. Listen to the choir do it at their site.
I made a backing but there is no didgeridoo in BIAB. I tried a “Chariots of Fire” feel in the verses but it clumsily stumbles into a fast gospel chorus.
1 Spirit of an ancient land, breathing echoes of a dream filled past,
Flow into our hearts, fill us with your love.
You whom winds and waves obey, show us ways to live your truth;
Make our lives new wine-skins for Christ, our Truth, our Way.
Refrain
Praise God – you mountain ranges.
Praise God – first light of dawn.
Praise God – you thirsty deserts.
Praise God in our lives reborn.
Praise God – you starry heavens.
Praise God – far sunlit plains.
Praise God – summer scented breezes.
Come Lord, fill our lives again.
Come Lord, fill our lives again.
2 Our thirsty souls are parched and dry;
Our hearts as hardened as the mountain range;
We long for springs of water welling up to love and life.
Call us to create in You a new heaven and a peace filled earth,
Where we will be your people and you will be our God.
Refrain
3 Heal the pain of days gone by, of wounds unhealed, of scare so deep.
Reconcile us with each other where we are one in You.
Lead us in a joyful song, our hearts made strong as we recall your Word:
“I will be with you always, even to the end of time.”
Refrain
Come Lord, fill our lives again.
© 1993 Michael Herry