O for a World

This social justice / equality themed song was written by American Roman Catholic and Medical Mission Sister Miriam Therese Winter (b 1938) in 1987, and first published in 1990.   It is based on  1 Corinthians 1:27-29.

It was written in 1982 for the the Presbyterian Women’s Triennial Conference in 1982 and then included in Winter's 1987 recording, when it was recorded for the Medical Mission Sisters "Hymns Re-imagined" collection. This was re-released on CD in 1999, and sheet music for it can still be ordered from Hartford Seminary.

Hynnals that it has been in include:

• The Presbyterian Hymnal (1990)
• The New Century Hymnal (1995)
• Voices United: The Hymn and Worship Book of The United Church of Canada (1996)

With 8 6 8 6 (CM or common meter) time signature, it is set to the tune AZMON, which was composed by  Carl Gotthelf Gläser (1828) and arranged by Lowell Mason (1839),

Examples

Organ (dominant) and choir and/or congregation:

Congregation with piano:

Congregation with organ:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways,
where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.
O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved,
where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.
We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice
that opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.
The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn, outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.
O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,
where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.