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

I Will Lift my Eyes unto the mountains superimposed on a shot of Ngauruhoe in New Zealand - 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.

This hymn for times of transition was written by Cuban-American Roman Catholic theologian and composer, Tony Alonso (b 1980). It is (loosely) based on Psalm 121 and inspired also by the writings of Thomas Merton and a 10th century Celtic poem.

It was released on the 1st of January 2014, and is 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.

It 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

Choral arrangement (SATB) by Chris De Silva, voice solo +cantor, assembly, piano and 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 (page 87). 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 ...