The words were written in 1955 by American at-the-time Roman Catholic (Sulpician) priest and later historian, academic and war correspondent, Michael Valentine Gannon (1927–2017).
The work of the Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice (ie Sulpician fathers) is the formation and pastoral care of priests. It is possible that the hymn was written firstly for priests: This is especially reflected in the first verse which presents penance as a vocation, and in the language used in the final verses. More recently an inclusive version has been created, the author of this is unknown.
Hymn books where it was published include:
- The People's Hymnal, World Library of Sacred Music, Cincinnati, USA, 1955 and 1961
- Peoples Mass Book. Complete Daily Missal Edition, World Library of Sacred Music, Cincinnati, USA, 1964
- People's Mass Book, New Daily Missal Edition, World Library of Sacred Music, Cincinnati, USA., 1966
- One in Faith, World Library Publications, Illinois, USA, 2015.
With meter 76.76.D, it is set to the tune WEIMAR(Vulpius), sometimes known as JESU KREUZ, LEIDEN UND PEIN, written by German singer and church-music composer, Melchior Vulpius (c.1560-1615) in 1609.
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Downloads
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Examples
Choir, first unaccompanied then with organ:
Singer with organ, live in a church-service:
Singer, unaccompanied:
Singer with electronic organ, words on-screen:
Singer with mandolin(?):
Choir, unaccompanied:
Singer with electronic organ, inclusive words:
Lyrics
Original words
This is our accepted time, this is our salvation;Prayer and fasting are our hope, penance, our vocation.
God of pardon and of love, mercy past all measure,
You alone can grant us peace, You, our holy treasure.
Lord, look down upon your sons, look upon their yearning;
Man is dust and unto dust he shall be returning,
Lift him up, O Lord of life, flesh has gained him sadness,
Hear his plea, bestow on him everlasting gladness.
Inclusive language version
This is our accepted time, this is our salvation;Prayer and fasting are our hope. Penance, our vocation.
God of pardon, God of love, mercy past all measure.
You alone can grant us peace, You our holy treasure.
Lord, look down upon us all, look upon our yearning.
We are dust, and unto dust, we shall be returning.
Lift us up, O Lord of life, flesh has gained us sadness.
Hear our plea, bestow on us, everlasting gladness.
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