Earthen Vessels (We hold a treasure, not made of gold) - Foley

This hymn about incarnation and humility was written by American Roman Catholic priest , liturgist, composer and member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) John Foley SJ (b 1939).

It is based on 2 Corinthian 4: 6-7 1 Corinthian 1: 27-29.

The hymn was originally published in 1975, by North American Liturgy Resources, as the title track of an album by the St Louis Jesuits.   Since then, it has been included on several other albums by Foley, and covered by John-Michael Talbot.

Hymn-books which it has been published in include:

• Celebration Hymnal for Everyone, McCrimmon Publications, UK, 1994
• Songs of the Spirit - Song and Hymns of the Renewal Volume 3, Kewin Mayhew Ltd, UK - 1987
• OCP Publications Heritage Missal and Breaking Bread publications (some years)
• Glory and Praise, Volume 1, North American Liturgy Resources, 1980

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Foley. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of A, the first few notes are A AA B_ A_  EE F E_ with accompanying chords A / E / A / E / Esus2 / A.   Some publications indicate that the verses should be played slightly faster than the chorus.

Downloads

Octavo score for choir, published by OCP.

Downloadable sheet music arranged for two voices and guitar - 2 pages

Examples

Original recording, small group with guitar-led band:

Small group and congregation with guitar, recorded live:

Solo singer, accompanied on ... dulcimer?:

Lyrics

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

Chorus:
We hold a treasure, not made of gold,
In earthen vessels, wealth untold,
One treasure only: the Lord, the Christ,
In earthen vessels.

1. Light has shone in our darkness ...

2. He has chosen the lowly ...

See more ...

• Hymns about humility
• Hymns based on scripture