Song for Sunday: Blest Be the Tie that Binds

We sang this hymn at the church I was visiting this morning. It's a song commonly used by Baptists at communion services and my son has known the first verse by heart since he was little.

This morning we formed a circle, holding hands, in the center aisle of the church and sang the first verse in unison. We lifted our hands during the second half of the verse. Joining hands reminds us that we are family, united in Christ. Lifting our hands reminds us that the tie is formed by God.

1. Blest be the tie that binds
   Our hearts in Christian love;
   The fellowship of kindred minds
   Is like to that above.
2. Before our Father’s throne,
   We pour our ardent prayers;
   Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
   Our comforts, and our cares.
3. We share our mutual woes,
   Our mutual burdens bear;
   And often for each other flows
   The sympathizing tear.
4. When we asunder part,
   It gives us inward pain;
   But we shall still be joined in heart,
   And hope to meet again.

 

                  ~John Fawcett, 1782

                   Public Domain

What songs remind you of unity? What musical traditions do you participate in?