Photo by Nan hou on Unsplash
Coming Home
Hymn composed by
Shari WoodburyContextual information
From Shari:
This song was intended for liturgical use in Unitarian Universalist settings. It has been used as a chalice-lighting song, gathering song, or centering song. Among the many possible interpretations of the lyrics are that of coming home to a church where one’s whole self finds belonging, and that of coming home to the Spirit of Love that is nurtured in that place (or whatever name one uses for the divine / ultimate Force).
From Yuki:
“Coming Home,” composed as a chant by Rev. Shari Woodbury, carries a message of spiritual grounding and inner belonging.
In arranging this piece, I drew from both my cultural background as an Asian living in the United States and my personal experience of navigating between identities and homes. The addition of nostalgic chord progressions and flowing arpeggios was intentional, echoing the emotional arc of returning to a place of safety and wholeness—much like a bird returning to its nest or a river to its origin as the lyrics sing. This musical arrangement seeks to deepen the contemplative quality of the chant, creating a sonic landscape that honors both its spiritual roots and a universal longing for home.
From Shari:
This song was intended for liturgical use in Unitarian Universalist settings. It has been used as a chalice-lighting song, gathering song, or centering song. Among the many possible interpretations of the lyrics are that of coming home to a church where one’s whole self finds belonging, and that of coming home to the Spirit of Love that is nurtured in that place (or whatever name one uses for the divine / ultimate Force).
From Yuki:
“Coming Home,” composed as a chant by Rev. Shari Woodbury, carries a message of spiritual grounding and inner belonging.
In arranging this piece, I drew from both my cultural background as an Asian living in the United States and my personal experience of navigating between identities and homes. The addition of nostalgic chord progressions and flowing arpeggios was intentional, echoing the emotional arc of returning to a place of safety and wholeness—much like a bird returning to its nest or a river to its origin as the lyrics sing. This musical arrangement seeks to deepen the contemplative quality of the chant, creating a sonic landscape that honors both its spiritual roots and a universal longing for home.
Tune Name
[Coming Home]
Tune Name
Text Meter
Irregular
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Shari WoodburyHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
Shari Woodbury (she/her) is a lifelong choral singer and a Unitarian Universalist minister. An Iowa native, she has previously served UU congregations in Bloomington, IN (young adult and membership ministries); Columbus, IN (intern minister and summer minister); and Fort Worth, TX (called minister at Westside). She is currently the called minister at First Unitarian in Omaha, NE. She also blogs about savvy seeking on Medium (https://medium.com/@shariwoodbury) and on her ministry web site (https://www.shariwoodbury.com/savvyseeker). Additional songs at https://www.shariwoodbury.com/creative-arts.html.
Spiritual tags
Other tags
Lyricist Background information
Lyricist Website LinkArranger Background information
Arranger Website LinkLyrics
I return to myself,
Here where I belong.
I am coming home.
Like a bird to its nest,
Like a river to the ocean,
I am coming home.
Resources
Music XML and MEI and MIDI and Musescore files