We Give Thanks

Written in the fall of 2000 at a ministers’ retreat in Cazenovia, New York. During mealtimes, colleagues would take turns to offer a prayer or song to give thanks for the bountiful food and abundant friendship shared with one another. The composer writes,

I had volunteered to offer something for a breakfast blessing; however, on the morning of the breakfast I was responsible for, I still wasn’t sure what it would be. I awoke early that day and, as I often do, took a morning walk. Many of the songs I write emerge in my walking time, the rhythm of my steps creating a background beat, my surroundings offering inspiration. That morning it was exceptionally foggy, it had rained the night before and everything was drenched, heavy and spectacularly beautiful. That morning We Give Thanks started singing in me as I walked. The original words for the song were:

Oh we give thanks (echo)

For the fog and rain (echo)

For the placid lake, (echo)

For joy and pain (echo)

For the food we share (echo)

With love and care (echo)

Oh we give thanks (echo)

For the fog and rain (echo)

We sang it together in the dining hall as a call and response.

I have shared the song at congregational events and conferences across North America and have adapted it as needed (depending on the weather and locale—it’s been “wind and sun/learning and fun.”) In 2003, I adapted the song for our local neighborhood association’s outdoor winter and summer solstice celebrations. Those versions go like this:

Winter Solstice:

Oh we give thanks (echo)

For this shortest day (echo)

For the solstice tree (echo)

Children at play (echo)

For birds that sing (echo)

The promise of spring (echo)

Oh we give thanks (echo)

For this shortest day (echo)

Summer Solstice:

Oh we give thanks (echo)

For this longest day (echo)

For the gentle breeze (echo)

Children at play (echo)

Good bye to spring (echo)

To summer we sing (echo)

Oh we give thanks (echo)

For this longest day (echo)

When I submitted We Give Thanks to be considered for the UUA’s new hymnal supplement, I again altered the words—this time to be a more general song of praise and thanksgiving. The newest words (written in the summer of 2004) are:

Oh we give thanks for this precious day

For all gather’d here and those far away

For this time* we share, with love and care

Oh we give thanks for this precious day

(*the word “time” can be replaced with “food” to be used as a meal blessing)

Please feel free to use any of the verses above—as a call and response or a unison song. It can be sung to begin and close meetings, as a blessing over food, in worship, in personal devotion, anywhere it moves you!