An Outcast Among Outcasts

This is a social-justice themed hymn about the Christian perspective of people who are on the margins of society. 

It was written by American United Church pastor and later Evangelical Lutheran Church in America member, poet and visual artist, Richard D Leach (b 1953), and first published in 1994 by Selah Publishing Company.  It was then included in the American Methodist hymnbook, "The Faith We Sing" in 2000.

With meter 7.6.7.6 D, tunes it has been set to include:

• LLANGLOFFAN, traditional Welsh melody, composer unknown, pre 1872
• POST STREET by American Methodist composer, pianist and music editor, Dan Damon in 1994.

Image adapt from Christ between two thieves - Pierre Brébiette  (1598–1650)

Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).

Included in this American Methodist hymn book

Examples

Singer with piano, words on-screen:

Singer, unaccompanied, multi-track recording:

Singer with organ:

Lyrics

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

1. An outcast among outcasts, dismissed with double scorn ...

2. An outcast among outcasts, where three were crucified ...

3. For outcasts among outcasts the boundaries are redrawn ...

See more ...

• Hymns about Jesus
• Hymns about Social Justice

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY 1. An outcast among outcasts, dismissed with double scorn,
Belittled by the labels: “unclean” and “foreign-born”;
Came back with thanks for Jesus, and then went on his way:
An outcast among outcasts showed grateful faith that day.

2. An outcast among outcasts, where thee were crucified,
derided by the others as they hung side by side-
came back from death with power, God had the final say:
An outcast among outcast shows God to us today.

3. For outcasts among outcasts the boundaries are redrawn,
by words, “Your faith has saved you,” by cross and Easter dawn.
The distant longed-for centers of power, peace and care,
where life is free to flourish, are found now everywhere.