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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