It was written by English-born, New
Zealand raised Anglican teacher and song-writer,
Richard Gillard (b 1953) in 1976/7. The song was first published by
Scripture in Song - Songs of Praise, Volume II
in 1978. It has subsequently been picked up by mainstream liturgical publishers
and is included in hymnals like
Hymns Old and New
(England) and Gather III (USA), as well as being covered by a diverse range of recording artists. Arguably it is one of the most
successful hymns ever written by a New Zealander.
The original opening line was "Brother let me be your servant", but common use today in many places shows it as "Brother, sister let me serve you". Similarly the 2nd line of the 2nd verse was originally "We are brothers on the road", but is often sung as "We are family on the the road", "We are travelers on the road" - or "We're together on the road" in England and Ireland.
With meter 8.7.8.7 D, it is set to a tune which is sometimes called THE SERVANT SONG. In the key of D, the first few notes of the melody are D E F A G F E D with accompanying chords D / A7 / D / G / D / A7 / D.
Note: it is a totally different from Servant Song by Sr Donna Marie McGargle.
There are five unique verses, each with four lines. The first verses is repeated at the end, making six stanzas in total. A rough outline is:
The original opening line was "Brother let me be your servant", but common use today in many places shows it as "Brother, sister let me serve you". Similarly the 2nd line of the 2nd verse was originally "We are brothers on the road", but is often sung as "We are family on the the road", "We are travelers on the road" - or "We're together on the road" in England and Ireland.
With meter 8.7.8.7 D, it is set to a tune which is sometimes called THE SERVANT SONG. In the key of D, the first few notes of the melody are D E F A G F E D with accompanying chords D / A7 / D / G / D / A7 / D.
Note: it is a totally different from Servant Song by Sr Donna Marie McGargle.
Downloads
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Examples
Small choir with professional backing:
Soloist and choir, with bell and keyboard accompaniment:
Choir with light piano accompaniment:
The author, accompanying himself on guitar>
folk-group recording from 1980:
Lyrics
The lyrics are copyright so cannot be included. However you can find them here.There are five unique verses, each with four lines. The first verses is repeated at the end, making six stanzas in total. A rough outline is:
1 Brother, sister let me serve you ...
2 We are pilgrims on a journey ...
3 I will hold the Christ-light for you ...
4 I will weep when you are weeping ...
5 When we sing to God in heaven ...
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