Good Friday Hymn

This hymn has been written especially for the Good Friday service at St Mary Redcliffe by the Vicar, Canon Dan Tyndall.  A verse is sung as part of each section as we reflect on the Seven Words of Christ on the Cross.

I heard the voice of Jesus say: “Forgive them all, forgive;

they know not what their actions mean, forgive them, let them live”.

We hear the calling to forgive, to live in ways that heal;

so help us now and everyday forgive and love reveal.

I heard the voice of Jesus say: “I say truly to you;

This day to Paradise I go; with me you will be too.”

We hear the words that break apart our narrow-minded view;

an offer of eternal life for all, not just the few.

I heard the voice of Jesus say: “My mother and my friend;

Be each to each, a mother, son, on whom you will depend.”

We hear Christ form relationships, a chosen family;

so may our bonds of truth and trust forge true community.

I heard the voice of Jesus say: “Why, Lord, forsake me now?

My body broken, strung up high, stain’d blood upon my brow?”

We hear the constant cries of pain from refugees in war:

and still the self-same plea goes up: Why, Lord, do you ignore?

I heard the voice of Jesus say, for so it was foretold:

“I thirst, my throat is dry and parched, I wait at death’s threshold.”

We hear him rasping, turn away, hearts fractured, on the brink:

then pray for his eternal soul, when what he craves is drink.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, shown vinegar not wine:

“All is now ended, finished, done; this work of love divine.”

We hear these words of Christ define how incarnation ends;

Then, all accomplished on the cross, his love is lived by friends.

I heard the voice of Jesus say: “Here, Father, I commend

my life, my spirit, all I am; on you, through death, depend.”

We hear such trust, may we repeat those words with our last breath;

commending all we are to God as life gives way to death.

Dan Tyndall

Good Friday 2022