It was written by American Roman Catholic priest, teacher, playwright and author Willard F Jabusch (1930-2018) in the late 1960s.
Some of the earliest publications include Sing and Rejoice! New Hymns for Congregations, a Mennonite hymnal published by Herald Press, Scottdale, Pa./ Kitchener, Ont. in 1979 (where it was titled "Song of Good News") and the 20th Century Folk Hymnal Volume 1 published by Mayhew-McCrimmon in the United Kingdom in 1974. Today, it is available in the in-print Hymns Old and New 2009 Catholic edition, as well a concerto arrangement (link below).
The text has meter 9.8.9.5 with refrain. It is set to, and likely written for, a traditional Hasidic (Jewish) tune YISRAEL V'ORAITA, which is the melody for the Hebrew song Torah Orah.
Downloads
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Examples
Original recording - folk band
Singer, self-accompanied on guitar
Choir and congregation with organ - live recording
Choir with orchestral instruments - professional recording
Instrumental - piano
Lyrics
1 Open your ears, O Christian people,
open your ears and hear Good News.
Open your hearts O royal priesthood
God has come to you.
Chorus:
God has spoken to His people, alleluia.
And His words are words of wisdom, alleluia.
God has spoken to His people, alleluia.
And His words are words of wisdom, alleluia.
2 Israel comes to greet the Saviour,
Judah is glad to see His day.
From East and West the people travel,
He will show the way.
3 Those who have ears to hear His message;
those who have ears, then let them hear.
Those who would learn the way of wisdom,
let them hear God's words.
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