Sunday, November 18, 2012

Song for Sunday: A Canon of Thanksgiving


It's Thanksgiving Sunday and we sang several hymns and a chorus on that theme. I loved the chorus, but it was the choir anthem that resonated with me this time. 

I am in the midst of putting my first garden to bed. We finished eating the last of the fresh veggies from it last night. Some stuff we dried or froze. Perhaps my garden is the reason that the phrase "All is safely gathered in ere the winter storms begin, " caught my attention. Here in New England those winter storms -- or even just winter temperatures -- would ruin vegetables and flowers. It is comforting to know that all is safely in, even on the scale of a backyard garden.



Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.


What is your favorite thanksgiving hymn?

No comments:

Post a Comment