This folk-Mass era, social-justice themed hymn was written by American Roman Catholic at-the-time seminarian (trainee priest) Gary Ault 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.
Recordings are still available from GIA Publications
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
No on-line examples have been found. If you know where one is, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.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 ...
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