Desert Island Hymns

Zsuzsi Gaylor has chosen the hymn “I the Lord of Sea and Sky”; although contemporary in style this hymn was first published on 1979. 

Songs like this were part of the response of the Roman Catholic Church to the changes brought about in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council. Prominent were the St Louis Jesuits, to whom Daniel Schutte (b.1947) belonged. Schutte grew up in Elm Grove, Wisconsin and graduated from Marquette University High School before entering the Society of Jesus. He was one of the founding members of the St. Louis Jesuits who popularised a contemporary style of church music set to sacred texts sung in English as a result of the liturgical reforms initiated by the Second Vatican Council. In addition to his Jesuit formation, Schutte holds two master of arts degrees, one in theology and one in liturgy from The Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.

It has been noted that the three verses each reflect one person of the Trinity. The refrain combines Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” and the account of the call of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3. In The Singing Thing too, John L Bell of the Iona Community points out that the verses present a challenge and a question while the refrain is the response. It therefore makes more sense if soloists (possibly 3) sang the verses and the whole people the refrain.

I, The Lord Of Sea And Sky,

I Have Heard My People Cry.

All Who Dwell In Dark And Sin,

My Hand Will Save.

I Who Made The Stars Of Night,

I Will Make Their Darkness Bright.

Who Will Bear My Light To Them?

Whom Shall I Send?

Here I Am Lord, Is It I, Lord?

I Have Heard You Calling In The Night.

I Will Go Lord, If You Lead Me.

I Will Hold Your People In My Heart.

I, The Lord Of Snow And Rain,

I Have Borne My People’s Pain.

I Have Wept For Love Of Them, They Turn Away.

I Will Break Their Hearts Of Stone,

Give Them Hearts For Love Alone.

I Will Speak My Word To Them

Whom Shall I Send?

I, The Lord Of Wind And Flame

I Will Tend The Poor And Lame.

I Will Set A Feast For Them,

My Hand Will Save

Finest Bread I Will Provide,

Till Their Hearts Be Satisfied.

I Will Give My Life To Them,

Whom Shall I Send?