The verses were written by American born-and-raised, English resident, Roman Catholic, at-the-time charismatic movement leader and songwriter Jodi Page-Clark (b 1941) - when she was still Jodi Page. The chorus uses the Greek-language liturgical refrain "Kyrie eleison / Christie eleison / kyire eleison).
The song was first published by Celebration/Kingsway’s Thankyou Music in 1976.
Hymn books where it is published include:
- More Songs of the Spirit - Songs and Hymns of Renewal, Volume 2, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, UK,1981
- Celebration Hymnal, McCrimmon Publications, 1994 and 2012 (and probably earlier versions)
- Catholic Hymns Old and New - Catholic edition 2009 (and probably earlier editions)
And these books are the only-located source of sheet music.
It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Clarke. The time signature moves frequently (every 1 or 2 bars) between 4/4 and 6/4. In the key of E, the first few notes of the melody are GGG E_ AAA F_ with accompanying chords E / A / B7.
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.
After the initial use in the 1970s / 80, the song's popularity appears to have waned - possibly because the frequent time-signature changes make it unpopular with many trained musicians. However the words seem to have a particular resonance for the 2020s, and videos of the song have been uploaded by a number of churches / groups.
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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).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
Folk choir with guitars:
21st century virtual choir with percussion:
Singer with guitar, words on-screen:
Small group with band, professional recording:
Larger group with guitar:
Small group with piano:
Lyrics
The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:1. Look around you, can you see?
Times are troubled, people grieve.
See the violence, feel the hardness;
All my people, weep with me.
Chorus:
Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, e - le - i - son.
2. Walk among them, I'll go with you.
Reach out to them with my hands.
Suffer with me, and together
We will serve them, help them stand.
Forgive us, Father, hear our prayer.
We'll walk with you anywhere,
Through Your suff'ring, with forgiveness,
Take your life into the world.
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