Sons of God

This is a cheerful hymn about the Eucharist and eternal life.  It was written by American Roman Catholic at-the-time priest James Thiem OSB (b 1942) (or Theim - both spellings have been used in publications, no definitive source has been found).

It was included, sung by Ray Repp, on the 1966 recording "Mass For Young Americans", and on several later albums (ref) including SING PRAISE LP with new, more inclusive, chorus lyrics eg "Saints of God".

Hymn-books which it has been published in include:

• Hymnal for Young Christians, Volume 2, 1966
• The Hymn Book of the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada, 1971
• Catholic Book of Worship I, Canadian Catholic Conference, Ottawa, 1972  (but not later editions)
• The Hymnal published by the Baptist Federation of Canada, Canada, 1973
• 20th Century Folk Hymnal Volume 1, Mayhew McCrimmon, UK - 1974
• Celebration Hymnal for Everyone ,McCrimmon Publications, UK, 1994 
• Calaméo - Let us celebrate, Dominican Publication, Lagos 2009

The English Celebration Hymnal for Everyone is still in-print, and is the best current source of sheet music for the song.

The song was widely used in English-speaking western countries in the 1960s and 70s, but fell from favour in many places due to the gender-exclusive language:  Other titles that have been used include "Child of God" and "We love God", "Folks Of God", but none of these have become as widely known as the original.   However current YouTube videos and discussion forum comments show that the song is still used in some places, in particular for First Communion preparations.

The original copyright owner was F. E. L. Publications, Ltd. When they closed in 1991, ownership was assigned to Lorenz Corporation.

The song is set to an unnamed tune, also by Thiem. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of E, the first few notes are B, G E FGAG F_ with accompanying chords  E / C#m /  A  / B7.

Downloads

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Examples

Original recording - male choir with guitar:

New recording - small men's choir with guitar, contemporary arrangement

Solo singer with guitar - an early recording:

Choir with band:

Singer with organ accompaniment:

Instrumental - electronic keyboard:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website - or this one for the alternative lyrics. A rough outline is:

Original chorus:
Sons of God: Hear His holy word,
Gather around the table of the Lord
Eat His Body, drink His Blood
And we'll sing a song of love
Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia.

Alternative chorus:
Saints of God, hear the holy Word!
Gather ‘round the table of the Lord!
Celebrate the given life and we’ll sing a song of love:
Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia!

1  Brothers, sister we are one,
And our lives have just begun
... We can live forever.

2  Shout together to the Lord ....

3  Jesus gave a new command ...

3 (alt) Make the world a unity ...

4  If we want to live with Him,

5  Make the world a unity ..

6  With the church we celebrate ...

See more ...

• Hymns about the Eucharist
• Children's hymns

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Saints of God, hear the holy Word! Gather ‘round the table of the Lord! Celebrate the given life and we’ll sing a song of love: Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia! 1. Brothers, sisters, we are one, and our life has just begun, In the spirit we are one; we can love forever. Chorus 2. Shout together to the Lord who has promised our reward: Happiness a hundredfold, and we’ll love forever. Chorus 3. Make the world a unity, make us all one family Help us live more hopefully, live in peace together.