Here’s a beautiful new contemporary hymn for Thanksgiving, written by William Watkins Reid, Sr. The text is especially appropriate this year, as tens of thousands of men, women and children in East Africa suffer under the worst famine in a generation.
The copyright for the song is adminstered by Hope Publishing Company, so in order to use it legally you’ll need to have a CCLI, LicenSing or OneLicense copyright license, and report the song’s use. For more information, visit: www.hopepublishing.com
Give Thanks, My Soul, For Harvest
Give thanks, my soul, for harvest,
for store of fruit and grain,
but know the owner gives
so that we may share again.
Where people suffer hunger,
or little children cry,
with gifts from God's rich bounty
may thankfulness reply.
Give thanks, my soul for riches
of woodland, mine, and hill,
but know that gold and timber
are the Creator's still.
God lends to us, as stewards,
abundance we might share,
and thus provide earth's children
the blessing of God's care.
Give thanks, my soul, for labours,
that strength and days employ,
but know that Maker's purpose
bring toil as well as joy.
Show forth, O God, your purpose;
direct our will and hand
to share your love and
bounty with all in every land.
William Watkins Reid Sr. Words © 1961, renewal 1989 The Hymn Society (admin. Hope Publishing Company)
Tune suggestions:
The hymn is in 7.6.7.6.D meter. Here are some tunes that would work with this text.
· AURELIA
For other song suggestions for Thanksgiving Day worship, see these other blog posts:
For other great new hymn texts, be sure to visit Hope Publishing’s Online Hymnody website.
For more creative worship resources for Thanksgiving Sunday or Harvest celebrations, click on Thanksgiving Sunday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page, or see this Thanksgiving Day Resources index.
