This song from Heaven Shall Not Wait takes three episodes concerning Jesus at the temple to suggest an openness to different expressions of the message of Christ.
Bell’s texts sound nothing like “normal” hymns yet use more natural expressions. It oddly reminds me of the way medieval mystery plays tell bible stories.
It is set to a traditional Scottish fiddle tune THE HEMP DRESSER.
1 When to the temple, eight days young, Christ came for ritual blessing,
He opened wide an old man’s eyes and set his lips confessing,
“This baby, cradled in my arms, shall suffer earth’s offenses.
His life shall light the way to heaven and shatter smug pretenses.”
2 When in the temple, twelve years old, he sat among the sages,
The questions flew, the insights dawned on folk of different ages.
And to his parents, stunned to see their son his faith defending,
He said, “My father’s work and will are what I am attending.”
3 When in the temple, later still, he saw unchecked extortion,
With whip in hand and foot on stalls he scattered doves and fortune.
“This House for Nations has become a sanctuary for thieving.
Its founding purposes restore for prayer and for believing.”
4 What shall we ask of Christ today in line with his intentions –
To fill the Church with rage or prayer, blessed babes or children’s questions?
Oh, let us pray for all of these and cease to be selective,
For many are the means by which Christ makes his Church effective.
Words: John L. Bell & Graham Maule, copyright © 1987 Wild Goose Resource Group/ WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH, Scotland. Melody: ‘The Hemp Dresser’, Scots traditional. Websites: wgrg.co.uk & holycity-glasgow.co.uk