Lord When you Came to the Seashore - Jabusch / Gabaráin

This hymn about the call of St Andrew and the other fishermen was translated by American Roman Catholic priest, teacher, playwright and author Willard F Jabusch (1930-2018) from the Spanish hymn Pescador de Hombres (Fisher of Men). This was written by by Spanish / Basque Roman Catholic priest, biblical theologian and liturgical composer, Cesáreo Gabaráin (1936-1991) in 1979.

This English version was first published in 1982, and was later included in GIA Publications Gather 3rd edition, 2011 (and possibly earlier editions).

There is another translation in which is also commonly used, Lord You have come to the Seashore by Robert Trupia (b 1948).

With meter 8.10.10 with refrain, it is set the tune PEDCADOR DE HOMBRES, which was written by Gabaráin for the original hymn. This has a 6/8 time signature. In the key of D, the first few notes are F EFG FE D D_ with accompanying chords D / F#m / G7 / A7 / Bm / D

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Examples

Small group with synthesiser backing:

Choir with organ:

Solo singer, unaccompanied

Singer with piano and guitar:

Large choir with soloists and orchestra, concert performance:

Instrumental - piano:

Lyrics

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

1 Lord, when you came to the seashore ...

Chorus
O Lord, in my eyes you were gazing,
Kindly smiling, my name you were saying;
all I treasured, I have left on the sand there;
Close to You, I will find other seas.

2 Lord, you knew what my boat carried ...

3 Lord, have you need of my labour ...

4 Lord, send me where you would have me ....