Pause Awhile

This is a folk-Mass era, social-justice themed hymn about stillness.

It was written by American Roman Catholic at-the-time seminarian (trainee priest) Gary Ault (b approx 1940) of Louisana-based folk-Mass group, The Dameans.  It was included in their first album, "Tell the World", which was released in 1969 (ref), and sheet music was included in the 1975 edition of the Hymnal for Young Christians Volume 2, which was first published in 1966.  No current sources of sheet-music have been found.

The song is set to an unnamed tune, also by Ault. This has a ₵ (cut) time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes are E F G_ E D C_ A B c c c c B B.

Downloads

No downloadable versions have been found, of either performances or the sheet music. If you know where to find one, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Examples

Singer with keyboard MIDI backing

Lyrics

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

Chorus
Pause a while, pause a while
In the humdrum of the city and behind a cloister wall
In the early morning and when shadows start to fall
See creation bending to the maker of it all
And all we have to do is pause a while.

1  We were made to build the earth....

2  Though the troubles of the world .....

3  Every tree in every valley ...

4.  The spirit promised long ago ...

5   Barriers of every kind ...

See more ...

• Social-justice theme hymns
• Hymns about stillness

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Chorus
Pause a while, pause a while
In the humdrum of the city and behind a cloister wall
In the early morning and when shadows start to fall
See creation bending to the maker of it all
And all we have to do is pause a while

1  We were made to build the earth and share it with each other,
All of us together at the work of Christ our brother.

2  Though the troubles of the world may tempt you to despair,
Look around just one more time and you'll see Christ is there.

3  Every tree in every valley, every running brook
Bears the mark of love's design for those who learn to look.

4.  The spirit promised long ago moves just where she will;
In this high-speed, neon world, she somehow is moving still.

5   Barriers of every kind, must shatter into dust;
Nothing done is nothing won where we can't dare to trust.