A Great HYMN 30 May 2008
Posted by Renette in Hymn (Jars of Clay), Jars of Clay.add a comment
Jars of Clay is one of my favorite bands of all time, and one of my favorite memories was watching their concert in Araneta Coliseum three years ago with my boyfriend Sidney, plus Julie and Carl (my church mates). I’ve loved them since around 1998 or 1999, when I was first introduced to their music by Carl. He lent me his cassette tape of their album “Frail,” which he bought on sale for around Php50.00 I think.
HYMN is not my favorite Jars of Clay song, but I like it very much; so much in fact that I remember telling Carl that I wanted him to play this song in my funeral. As a rule, I like old hymns – with their outdated English and the slightly repetitive tune from start to finish – and I enjoyed Jars of Clay’s modern hymn (aptly titled “Hymn”). I also loved their covers of old hymns, modernizing them and giving them a new sound (such as “I Need Thee Every Hour” and “It Is Well with My Soul“).
Back to Hymn. I was won over this song by virtue of one haunting line: “I’ll pirouette upon my grave…” What a beautiful way to think of dancing in relation to death, which reminds me of the verse “You have turned my mourning into dancing” (Psalm 30:11). Even the saddest occasions are times of celebration as long as God is with us.
The melody of Hymn is beautiful, the words are profound, and the imagery is lovely. I hope you’ll take the time to listen to it using the YouTube link I provided.
Oh refuge of my hardened heart
Oh fast pursuing lover come
As angels dance around Your throne
My life by captured fare You own
Not silhouette of trodden faith
Nor death shall not my steps be guide
I’ll pirouette upon my grave
For in Your path I’ll run and hide
Oh gaze of love so melt my pride
That I may in Your house but kneel
And in my brokenness to cry
Spring worship unto Thee
When beauty breaks the spell of pain
The bludgeoned heart shall burst in vain
But not when love be pointed king
And truth shall Thee forever reign
Sweet Jesus carry me away
From cold of night and dust of day
In ragged hour or salt-worn eye
Be my desire, my wellspring lie
