Be Still my Friends - Andersen

This folk-style hymn about finding God in moments of stillness was written by Australian Roman Catholic priest and liturgist Fr Frank Andersen.
It was originally published in the Eagles Wings collection, and so is now included in Scripture in Song - The Music of Frank Andersen MSC, which is still available. Both of these publications include lead-sheet style sheet music.

The words are based on John 15. The original last line of verse 1 was "but man finds you within" - some people now routinely sing this as "but we find you within" (it's not clear if this change was with Fr Andersen's approval or not).

The tune was written by Fr Andersen: it has a 4/4 time signature, and in the key of C the first few notes are A, F AF E FE D B.

Google search results suggest that it's used in Australasia - though maybe not as often as a number of Andersen's other hymns - and also sung in various countries in Asia.

Jesus sits in prayer on the mount of olives

Downloads

Examples

Church choir with guitar - poor sound quality on the recording:

Solo singer, with electric guitar backing:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright, and cannot be reproduced here. But they are available on page 5 of this website. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
I ask you, my friends, to be still;
and know that I am here with you.
The longing in your heart I will fill;
for I now make my home in you!

1. The mountains, the valleys, the oceans deep ...

2. The crowds on the hillsides…. need your Bread ...

3. We’ve worked all the day, Lord, hear our prayer ...