Hymns for peace
A Remembrance Day song, composed by Fred Kaan.
This hymn was composed for Remembrance Sunday and sung for the first time in Coventry Cathedral in England. During his years in ministry, Rev. Kaan helped form the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. His focus was always on inter-church relations, human rights, and peace. Born in Haarlem, his experience as a young teen under Nazi occupation in the Netherlands shaped him deeply.
God! As with silent hearts we bring to mind
By Fred Kaan
God! As with silent hearts we bring to mind
how hate and war diminish humankind,
we pause – and seek in worship to increase
our knowledge of the things that make for peace.
Hallow our will as humbly we recall
the lives of those who gave and give their all.
We thank you, Lord, for women, children, men
who seek to serve in love, today as then.
Give us deep faith to comfort those who mourn,
high hope to share with all the newly born,
strong love in our pursuit of human worth:
‘lest we forget’ the future of this earth.
So, Prince of Peace, disarm our trust in power,
teach us to coax the plant of peace to flower.
May we, impassioned by your living Word,
remember forward to a world restored.
