Turn to Me

This is a hymn about repenting and returning to God.   It is based on Isaiah 45.

It was written by American Roman Catholic priest, liturgist, composer and member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) John Foley SJ (b 1939), and first released in 1975 on the Earthen Vessels album, and later included on the One Bread One Body album.

The original first line of the chorus was "Turn to me, O man and be saved", but Foley changed this to "Turn to me, O turn and be saved" very early in the hymn's life.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Foley. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of E, the first few notes are B_ G B_ , G B_ GAB GA b with accompanying chords E / B / Bb / A.

Hymnals where it is printed include

• Songs of the Spirit - Songs and hymns of the Renewal, volume 3 - Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 1987
• Celebration Hymnal for Everyone, McCrimmon Publications 1994
• OCP's Journeysongs collection

Downloads

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Arranged for choir with descant + organ accompaniment

Examples

Singer, self-accompanied with high-quality midi-track:

Choir with light string accompaniment:

Solo singer, self-accompanied on piano:

Singer with guitar - including some variations

Choir with band, recorded live in a church service:

Instrumental - organ:

Lyrics

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

Chorus::
Turn to me, O turn and be saved,
says the Lord, for I am God:
There is no other, none beside me,
I call your name.

1 I am he that comforts you, who are you to be afraid ...

2 Listen to me, my people; give ear to me, my nation ...

3 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth down below.

See more ...

• Hymns about repentance
• Hymns based on scripture

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Chorus: Turn to me, O turn and be saved, says the Lord, for I am God: There is no other, none beside me, I call your name. 1 I am he that comforts you, who are you to be afraid. Of flesh that fades, is made like the grass of the field soon to wither. 2 Listen to me, my people; Give ear to me, my nation: A law will go forth from me, and my justice for a light to the people. 3 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth down below. The heavens will vanish like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment.