Affirming Life

Notes

Affirming Life: From A Singing Faith. This was the theme of a sermon preached in 1986 by the then University chaplain, Dame Phyllis Guthardt at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, Waikato University. Dean Keith Lightfoot preached on the same topic at the Cathedral, prompting this hymn which is dedicated to him.

The suggested tune is St James, R.Courteville (A&MR 199)

Please press the red title to hear a MIDI recording of this tune, and then re-open this window to read the poem while listening.

If you would prefer to follow the tune and text on paper you may download a PDF file of this hymn.

For permission to perform or reproduce this poem, or for enquiries regarding the purchase of Hymns For All Seasons, please contact Jocelyn.

Affirming Life

Say yes to life with all its hopes,
    its pleasure and its pain;
for those who live a life of faith,
    their loss is turned to gain.

Say yes to life with all its joys;
    may we by action show
the Spirit's fruits of patience, peace,
    through cultivation grow.

Say yes to life; affirm the gift
    with confidence reborn,
remembering the darkest hours
    are prelude to the dawn.

Say yes to life; death's power retreats
    when God is at our side:
the fears that haunt, the weakness felt
    ebb like the falling tide.

Say yes to life; rest in God's strength
    to make the darkness light;
go forth empowered, refreshed, renewed,
    life's morning follows night.