Full Lyrics
From muddy fields and wire mills, shops tucked beside the railroad tracks,
the people of old photographs would come.
Unused to silk and ribbonbuilders, come to thank a worker Christ,
remake a church where all might be made one:
Where nativeson and runaway, poor wanderer and refugeethe rich and ragged find an open door.
Not just ourselvesbut seekers sent by One who gave the stars their lightno sister turned away, but welcomed in.
A child in the dark, the least of these whom Jesus calls his own
belongs to uswe hurt to bring him home.
What few could save, they gave away, and what they gave
we used to build. We are the heirs they blessed but could not see.
The family is not completeour tables yet have empty chairs,
and our story so many pages blank.
Friend, help us try to build the realm where love restores the broken,
it bears new light, within a church where all might be made one.JOSEPH GASTIGER
My life flows on in endless song; above earth's lamentation,
I hear the sweet, though faroff hymn that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soulhow can I keep from singing?ROBERT LOWRY, 1869
Tune: ENDLESS SONG, attrib. to Robert Lowry
