I Will Lift My Eyes to the Mountains (It is time for me to move)

This is a hymn for times of transition.  The lyrics are (loosely) based on Psalm 121 and inspired also by the writings of Thomas Merton and a 10th century Celtic poem.

It was written by Cuban-American Roman Catholic theologian and composer, Tony Alonso (b 1980), and released on the 1st of January 2014, published by GIA Publications. So far it is not included in many hymnals, but sheet music is has been published in various arrangements by GIA.

The song is set to an unnamed tune, also by Alonso, which has a 2/2 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes are ED C_ C E G A_.

Downloads

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SATB choir arrangement by Chris De Silva; solo +cantor, assembly, piano + C instruments

Guitar edition arranged by Chris De Silva

Examples

Official recording: lead singers and band

Music-ministry conference performance - conducted by the composer

Lead singer and choir, piano accompaniment

Lyrics

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

1 It is time for me to move from my shelter of safety ...

2 And I will not fear the storm though it rages around me ...

Chorus:
I will lift my eyes to the mountains
From where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord!
So I’ll walk in the light of the path set before me
For I know your love will show me the way.

3 Though I know you have prepared a path for me to follow ...

4 I may stumble, I may fall and get lost on the journey ...

See also

• Hymns based on Psalms
• Hymns for times of transition

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY 1 It is time for me to move from my shelter of safety,
to sail as a pilgrim over the waves of the sea.
It is time to be still and to seek the son of Mary,
time to rest, time to leave behind my fears.

2. And I will not fear the storm, though it rages around me,
for slowly I am learning to place my trust in you,
to forgive every hurt and to loosen every burden,
to let go and to follow where you lead.

Chorus:
I will lift my eyes to the mountains
From where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord!
So I’ll walk in the light of the path set before me
For I know your love will show me the way.

3. Though I know you have prepared a path for me to follow,
I’ll never know for certain that I follow where you lead.
Still I trust that my desire to please you will guide me;
and I trust that you will keep me from harm.

4. I may stumble, I may fall, and get lost on the journey;
and my path will surely lead me to the shadow of death.
Yet I will not fear the storm, for you are ever with me,
never leaving me to face my fears alone.