Hymn of the Earth

Tune: Aurelia ("The Church's One Foundation")

Our world was green and singing And sometimes garden-fair With promise always springing Of Peaceful Kingdom there; But threats of flooding chill it And fields grow desert-dry; Come, Blessed Sower, fill it With life that cannot die!

The world grows dark around me Mid ghosts of towers tall, And echoing fears surround me To find no home at all— These omen-shapes that blind me, Are they the shadow-play Cast by a Light behind me That follows all my way?

Like airs from Eden flowing, Spring-fragrant, far from death, The Spirit still is blowing And breathes in every breath! Our grief is thy heart's bleeding, Our hands and hopes are thine And Love is still completing Its infinite design.

—--Sr. Faith Bowman