In the Earth the Small Seed is Hidden

This is an offertory hymn about the Eucharist, which is especially relevant at Harvest time. It is sometimes called In the Earth a Small Seed is Hidden.

It was written by English Roman-Catholic convert, physiotherapist, and later teacher and hymn-writer Estelle White (1925-2011).

Hymn-books where it has been published in include:

20th Century Folk Hymnal, Volume 2, Mayhew McCrimmon Ltd, England, 1975/76
Hymns Old and New - A Hymnbook for the Irish Church, Kevin Mayhew (Ireland) Ltd, Dublin, 1977 - under the title Give to Us O Lord
Celebration Hymnal for Everyone 1994 and 2012, McCrimmon Publications, England: This book is still in print, and is the only-known source of sheet music for the song.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by White. This has a 2/4 time signature. In the key of F, the first few notes of the melody are F F E E D CD ED E with accompanying chords F / Am / Gm / C7.

Downloads

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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

Singer with piano

Midi-track with sheet music on screen

Lyrics

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

1. In the earth the small seed is hidden and
lies unseen until it is bidden by
springtime stirrings up to the sunlight and summer ripening.
Golden is the harvest and precious the bread that
You are, and give to us, Lord.

2. In the vineyard branches are cut away
so that fresh young shoots may, with ev'ry day,
bend beneath the fruit as it ripens and fills with promise.
Golden is the harvest and precious the wine that
You are and give to us, Lord.

3. In me, Oh my Lord, plant the seed of love
nourished by Your body and by Your blood.
May my soul take wings and rise upward to new awakenings!
Golden is the light of Your Godhead that
by love You have, and give to us, Lord.

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Image adapted from Hippopx - CC0