I, the Lord of Sea and Sky

 

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

Dan Schutte (born 1947, Neenah, Wisconsin) is an American composer of Catholic liturgical music and a contemporary Christian songwriter best known for composing the hymn Here I Am, Lord, also known as I, the Lord of Sea and Sky, (1981).

Although this hymn began as Catholic liturgical music it has progressed into mainstream Protestant worship; surely a sign that the sentiments expressed in the words and music are universal.

I first came across this hymn when the new Church of Ireland Hymnal came out in mid 2000, by which time it was well known here. When I introduced it to the children at school they took to it immediately and their rendering of it in school Assemblies is enough to send my heart flying to the heavens....and the hairs stand up on the back of my neck- two hundred children singing with enjoyment and sincerity will do that!

In fact, this week when all the teachers, children and local clergy came together for the very first Assembly in our band new school, this was the hymn I chose for us to sing; partly because it is one of the children's favourites, but also because of the words. We want our school community to be a light in the town and it just seemed an appropriate choice.

For me each time I hear the words they are a renewal of the Great Commission, in the same way that  Isaiah's story, 'In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne...' excite and inspire the listener.

The full lyrics are:

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
 I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have born my peoples pain.
I have wept for love of them, They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them,
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.