Here’s a new hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, written for the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
O God, Our Hearts Were Shattered
O God, our hearts were shattered On that horrendous day;
We heard the news and gathered To grieve and then to pray.
We cried to you and wondered, "Where did the violence start?"
The world as we had known it Had just been torn apart.
We heard the news and gathered To grieve and then to pray.
We cried to you and wondered, "Where did the violence start?"
The world as we had known it Had just been torn apart.
We heard of those who perished — Of heroes' sacrifice.
We paused again to cherish The gifts of love and life.
We worried for the future; We hugged our loved ones then.
We cried, "Can peace be found here?" "We can't let terror win!"
We paused again to cherish The gifts of love and life.
We worried for the future; We hugged our loved ones then.
We cried, "Can peace be found here?" "We can't let terror win!"
Some sought to answer terror The only way they knew —
With anger toward the stranger And calls for vengeance, too.
Yet this is not your answer, Nor what you would create.
May we live toward a future Where love will conquer hate.
With anger toward the stranger And calls for vengeance, too.
Yet this is not your answer, Nor what you would create.
May we live toward a future Where love will conquer hate.
God, give us faith and wisdom To be your healing hands;
Give open minds that listen To truth from all your lands.
Give strength to work for justice; Grant love that casts out fear.
Then peace and not destruction Will be the victor here.
Give open minds that listen To truth from all your lands.
Give strength to work for justice; Grant love that casts out fear.
Then peace and not destruction Will be the victor here.
Tune: LLANGLOFFAN 7.6.7.6 D (Lead On, O King Eternal)
Alternate Tune: PASSION CHORALE 7.6.7.6 D
Alternate Tune: PASSION CHORALE 7.6.7.6 D
The National Council of Churches has the hymn text with the music. (PDF file)
The national United Methodist Worship Office has done their own version of the hymn text with the music.
Text: Copyright © 2011 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Permission is given for use of this hymn for local church use.
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette also wrote "O God, Our Words Cannot Express" on September 11, 2001; the hymn was used by many churches on that evening and in the days that followed. She has also written “God, We’ve Known Such Grief and Anger.”
For more worship resources for the tenth anniversary of 9 11, click on September 11 Worship in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
