Keshukoran (Thanksgiving)

This hymn of thanksgiving for God in nature was written by Australia Roman Catholic (Franciscan Missionary of Mary) religious sister, Irene O'Connor FMM (ref).

It was written while O'Connor was living in Singapore, with guidance from a Muslim gardener who lived and worked near the convent where she was based. The words are in the Bahasa Malaysia /Malay language.

The text means, roughly

Chorus: O Lord, the creator, we adore you, the almighty.
Verses:
For the sun, let us give thanks to the Lord.
For the rivers and seas, let us give thanks to the Lord.
For the paddy-fields, let us give thanks to the Lord.

(ref: the audio track with this article).

The song was recorded when O'Connor returned to Australia and worked with Sister Marimil Lobregat in at the Catholic Radio and Television Centre in Sydney to make the album Fire! Songs of God's Love which was released by Phillips in Australia in 1973 and then re-released in the USA (distributed by Alba House) in 1976.

This track is notable because O'Connor sang played guitar while achieving a rhythm-effect (she was aiming for a bongo-sound) by using a foot-pedal from a church-organ (source: the audio track with this article).

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.

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

Original recording:

Lyrics

(from the My Journey with Jesus website).

Chorus:
Tuhan pencipta
Kita sembah
Pada Tuhan yang mahakuasa
Shukor-lah kita
Puji-lah kita
Pada Tuhan yang mahakuasa

Verse 1
Kerana matahari
Shukor-lah kita pada Tuhan
Bintang dan bulan
Shukor-lah kita

Verse 2
Kerana sungai dan laut
Shukor-lah kita pada Tuhan
Burong dan ikan
Shukor-lah kita

Verse 3
Kerana sawah padi
Shukor-lah kita pada Tuhan
Pokok dan bunga
Shukor-lah kita