Fire - Irene O'Connor

This psychedelic-folk style song about God's love was written and performed by Australian Roman Catholic (Franciscan Missionary of Mary) religious sister, Irene O'Connor FMM (ref).   It is based on Luke 12:49 "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!"

The hymn was written while O'Connor was living in Singapore in the mid/late 1960s.

It was first released as a single (ref), and then  included as the title-track in an LP which was recorded and sound-engineered by Filipino  Sister Marimil Lobregat at the Catholic Radio and Television Centre in Sydney.   The album, Fire of God's Love - Songs to Ignite the Spirit, was released by Phillips in  Australia in 1973, and then in the USA in 1976 where it was distributed by Alba House Communications.

In the 21st century, the LP and especially this track and its sound and sound-engineering has gained a strong following among a segment of inde music fans  (ref  and ref), with one saying it is "coveted by record collectors, djs and has reached cult status because of its rarity" (ref).   It has been remixed several times - as shown on the YouTube videos below, and the album had an unofficial re-release in 2018 (ref).

The catalogue of the National Library of Australia says that a 20-page song book was produced by Ave Maria Publications, c1973, which included the vocals - but it's not clear if this was sheet music or simply the words.

If you have any more information about the track, especially where to find sheet-music for it, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of this page.


Examples

Original recording by Irene O'Connor



Remixed version:



Track with enhanced revert, and accompanying video:



21st century music-video version:


Lyrics

Fire, fire,
Burning, warming cold hearts.
Glowing, purifying, showing,
Where mankind can find true peace,
Where mankind can find true peace.

1.  Christ came to kindle fire on the earth,
The fire of God's love He brought to birth,
Indeed this spot would be a sorry place,
Without this fire embracing every race.

2.  In every human heart a craving lies
To find the perfect being for whom it sighs.
So Christ revealed this truth to you and me,
Our hearts were made to love eternally.

3.   So keep this little thought in mind, my friend.
Existence in this world is not our end.
Will past protect your life one day to share
God's endless life of love beyond compare?

Fire, fire!   Fire, fire!


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KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Fire, fire,
Burning, warming cold hearts.
Glowing, purifying, showing,
Where mankind can find true peace,
Where mankind can find true peace.

1.  Christ came to kindle fire on the earth,
The fire of God's love He brought to birth,
Indeed this spot would be a sorry place,
Without this fire embracing every race.

2.  In every human heart a craving lies
To find the perfect being for whom it sighs.
So Christ revealed this truth to you and me,
Our hearts were made to love eternally.
3.   So keep this little thought in mind, my friend.
Existence in this world is not our end.
Will past protect your life one day to share
God's endless life of love beyond compare?

Fire, fire!   Fire, fire!

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