It was written in 1965 to be the theme song of Christian Aid's Beat and Folk Festival (ref) and recorded on a single by Carter and the Notting Hilk Folk Group. Althought not intended as a hymn, it is used in this way by a number of churches, and also by schools as an assembly song which incorporates their ethos without explicity naming it as .
With meter 7 6 7 3, it is set to a tune that Carter wrote - and no other tunes have been located. This is sometimes called NEIGHBOUR. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of Em, the first few notes are B,B, E EF GF EG B Bd B with accompanying chords Em / G / B7.
- Celebration Hymnal for Everyone
- Complete Come and Praise
- 20th Century Folk Hymnal volume 1
Downloads
Examples
Duet with guitar, home recording:
Singer with guitar accompaniment:
Large choir with orchestra accompaniment - recorded for a TV programme:
Lead singer and band, rock-style accompaniment, professional recording:
Lyrics
When I needed a neighbour
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a neighbour
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won’t matter
Were you there?
2. I was hungry and thirsty …
3. I was cold, I was naked …
4. When I needed a shelter …
5. When I needed a healer …
6. When they put me in prison…
7. Wherever you travel
I’ll be there, I’ll be there.
Wherever you travel, I’ll be there.
And the creed and the colour
And the name won’t matter
I’ll be there.
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