The Summons - an eternal call to a lived life

The song below comes from the Iona Community, centred on the island of Iona in Scotland. The song is sung to a traditional Scottish tune called, "Kelvin Grove". You can hear it here. One of the writers of the words is John Bell (pictured at right). Occasionally he pops up in Australia and he is worth listening to. He has a lyrical Gaelic voice: sings like a bird. The words are written as if spoken by Jesus to the individual. They would form a beautiful reflection for Lent.

THE SUMMONS
Sung to the traditional Scottish melody Kelvin Grove
From the Iona Community

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you come where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you the blinded see, if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the ‘you’ you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around
Through my sight and touch and sound in you, and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I'll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Text: John L. Bell and Graham Maule