Mother Earth, Beloved Garden
Hymn composed by
Amanda Udis-KesslerContextual information
This worship song was written to contribute to the material suitable for Pagan/Wiccan worship services in Unitarian Universalist settings. It is intended for the Calling of the Directions, though the composer notes that congregations who use it should be aware that it incorrectly begins with north rather than east as the first direction called. The modal music is intended to recall Celtic and other British-area musical styles.
This worship song was written to contribute to the material suitable for Pagan/Wiccan worship services in Unitarian Universalist settings. It is intended for the Calling of the Directions, though the composer notes that congregations who use it should be aware that it incorrectly begins with north rather than east as the first direction called. The modal music is intended to recall Celtic and other British-area musical styles.
Tune Name
[Mother Earth Beloved Garden]
Tune Name
Text Meter
8.7.8.7.D.
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Amanda Udis-KesslerHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
Amanda Udis-Kessler (she/her) is a hymnwriter, songwriter, and sacred music composer with over 150 free-use pieces on her website. Amanda also writes progressive liturgy and trains congregations in deepening liturgical inclusiveness; she has three traditionally published books on sociology, religion, and ethics. An antiracism trainer and creativity trainer, Amanda delights in expanding joy and working against suffering. She is the accompanist and composer in residence at Vista Grande Community Church UCC in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Lyricist Background information
Arranger Background information
Lyrics
Mother Earth, beloved garden, living treasure under foot,
All our days you ground our being: sage and thistle, grass and root.
Herbs to heal us, plants to feed us, land to till and tend and plow.
With the pendant, deep as midnight, North we ask you: be here now.
Father Air, your inspiration holds together all that lives.
As we breathe, our minds see clearly, leading us to love and give.
Raging whirlwind, whispered breezes, violent gale and gentle cloud.
With the blade as sharp as morning, East we ask you: be here now.
Brother Fire, great transformer, share the passion of the sun.
In our hearths, your warmth revives us, cooks our food and heats our homes.
Flaming candle, blood within us, blazing desert, will to grow.
With the wand, directing power, South we ask you: be here now.
Sister Water, ever flowing, ocean, river, pond and rain.
Drink we now and quench our thirsting, cleanse us, we begin again.
Mist and ice, a host of changes, all that courage will allow.
With the cup, the holy chalice, West we ask you, be here now.
Lover Spirit, intuition in the center of our souls.
In your love we find relation. All connected, we are whole.
Timeless mystery, quiet conscience, deepest values, voice inside.
With the drum and with the cauldron, this we ask you, be our guide.
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