Hannah C Brown

hymn writer

  • Elemental Joy

    I am thrilled that a collection of my hymn texts is now available through GIA Publications. You can also listen to the songs on Spotify (part 1, part 2) or YouTube (part 1, part 2).

    It has been such a privilege to collaborate with editor Adam Tice and composers Sally Ann Morris, Ben Brody, Kate Williams, Mark Miller, and Anneli Loepp Thiessen, and to have my words matched with existing tunes of many eras and styles from other gifted composers and arrangers.

    This book has so much of my heart in it and touches on topics ranging from issues of justice such as disability access, LGBTQ affirmation, bodily autonomy, and environmental care; to human experiences of grief, comfort, loneliness, hope, and growth; to expansive explorations of Christian stories and seasons.

  • Be with Those Who Wander

    Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

    This text was inspired by a beautiful, searching tune by Ben Brody. It takes the form of an intercessory prayer, raising the needs of many, then offering a reminder of God’s abiding presence and call.

    You can preview or purchase the piece here. It is also a part of my collection Elemental Joy.

    Here is Ben playing the piece:

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  • We Remember Hands that Tend

    Image from freebibleimages.com

    This song began with an interest in the woman who anointed Jesus before his death. While her action was shocking to some, Jesus says that she will be remembered for it. I then began to think of all the people who give compassionate care for human bodies, in birthing and dying, in youth and in age, in sickness and in health. Their work is not always recognized or valued.

    This piece could be used on Passion Sunday or Maundy Thursday. It could also be sung in remembrance of a particular caregiver or in thanksgiving for all who are healers and caregivers. It might be appropriate after a time of community loss or trauma.

    This text had trouble finding the right tune. My editor, Adam Tice, eventually suggested Kate William’s NOVALOVE, which had exactly the right feeling. It ended with “Alleluia”s which suggested the new refrain, “We remember.”

    You can preview or purchase the hymn here. It is also a part of my collection Elemental Joy. Kate recorded the new pairing:

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  • Love these Human Bodies

    Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

    Our bodies are gifts of God, but cultural messages, practical challenges, aging, and loss can complicate our relationship with this holy gift. This text is a reminder to care for ourselves and one another.

    You can preview or purchase the text here. It can also be found in my collection Elemental Joy. It’s paired with the tune CRANHAM (“In the Bleak Midwinter”).

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  • My Wand’ring Heart

    Photo by Eddie & Carolina Stigson on Unsplash

    The theme for A Sanctified Art’s 2024 Lenten series, “Wandering Heart,” caught my imagination. After hearing a recording of “The Love of God” by F.M. Lehman, a new text for that tune emerged that could work for the first Sunday of Lent in any year or other services focusing on wilderness experience or discipleship. 

    If you’re not familiar with the tune, there are many versions with fairly different sounds on the web, including this one and this one.

    You can preview or purchase the piece here. It is also a part of my collection Elemental Joy.

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  • How Can We Know You, Christ?

    Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash

    Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?”.  Disciples, crowds and rulers puzzle over this question. Each of us who follows Jesus works towards our own sense of understanding and relationship. What is Jesus’ nature, purpose, and power?

    This text owes a debt to Sylvia Dunstan’s iconic “You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd,” perhaps my favorite hymn. I bring humbler aspirations, focusing on our personal experience of the paradoxical mystery of Christ. 

    This text is designed to be used with SURSUM CORDA (Smith).

    How can we know you, Christ, both earth and sky,
    here and hereafter, human and divine?
    Begotten by a love so great and wide
    you pull in close to put your hand in mine.

    How can we know you, Christ, both word and way,
    so long awaited, swift to stir and wake?
    Disrupting powers, practices, and faith
    you offer peace to mend and breath to take.

    How can we know you Christ, both yoke and gift, 
    struggle to serve and grace we can’t resist?
    Confounding death to bridge the great abyss
    you rise with joy to live within our midst. 

    Teach us to know you Christ, both host and bread,
    question and answer, pilgrimage and end.
    Confusing wisdom, you give hope instead,
    your presence all we need to comprehend.

    Text by Hannah C. Brown (c) 2023 GIA Publications, Inc. This text can be reproduced for worship using One License.

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  • I Come to You

    Image from freebibleimages.org

    Jesus’ ministry begins as he offers invitations to fisher folk on the seashore. As his ministry continues, so do his invitations, often given to the most unlikely people. How do we receive his call, here and now, and how do we respond?

    This text is designed for the tune WAYFARING STRANGER. You can preview or purchase the piece here. It is also available in my collection Elemental Joy. I’m glad to have it paired with Tony Alonso’s beautiful arrangement!

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  • Across the Sea

    Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

    This text began when someone mentioned having a hard time finding a hymn for Matthew 14:22-33, in which Simon Peter attempts to walk on water. I was struck by how many of the scenes with Jesus on or by the water speak to the longing and uncertainty of the disciples as they find their way in faith. The push and pull of the tune O WALY WALY, which I first encountered as “The Water is Wide,” felt like the perfect pairing for both the emotional experience of the disciples and the movement of the waves.

    You can find the hymn for preview or purchase here. It is also a part of my collection Elemental Joy. I love the beautiful arrangement of the tune by Chris de Silva!

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  • A New Song Sounded in the Night

    Bells at the church of Santo Stefano in Assisi, Italy. Bells around this city ring throughout the day as pilgrims come and go and the message of the gospel continues to be shared.

    The original text for THE LINDEN TREE CAROL describes the angel Gabriel bringing news to Mary of Nazareth and then carrying her response back to a company of angels. In this new text, good news takes a journey from angels to shepherds and then out into the world. This familiar story from the gospel of Luke is complemented by imagery from Psalms 96 and 98, often read during Christmastide. Thanks to the Rev. Angela Menke Ballou who shared the idea of the Christmas message sounding like a bell that still rings in our hearts.  

    You can find the hymn to preview or purchase here. It is also a part of my collection Elemental Joy.

  • Hark How the Heralds

    Photo by Leon Kohle on Unsplash

    This text celebrates all the messengers of Advent. It could be used as a Call to Worship or Candle Lighting song during the weeks of Advent and Christmas, with one or more stanzas used each week. It was inspired by the Advent series “Hark! Heralding of our Faith” developed by the liturgical community “This is The Day.”  I suggest pairing this text with the tune TRURO.

    Hark how the heralds now proclaim
    with hope and warning words aflame
    to rouse all slumb’ring souls from sleep:
    “God-with-us comes to those who weep.”

    Hark how the prophets’ words return,
    their ancient promises discern
    in one who calls for peace today:
    “Our God draws near, prepare a way.”

    Hark how the joyful news arrives
    to bud and blossom in our lives
    as bold and faithful, Mary cries:
    “In me God’s justice magnifies.”

    Hark how the angels thrill and throng
    with messages to make us strong:
    “Fear not, for love is come to birth;
    behold, good news for all the earth.”

    Hark how the crowds begin to sing!
    The humble shepherds’ praises ring
    as rev’rent magi join the cheer:
    “Come worship God who joins us here!”

    Text by Hannah C. Brown, (c) 2023, GIA Publications, Inc. This text may be reproduced for worship using One License.

  • Praise God Who Lives within You

    Statue of the Visitation at Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, Israel Photographed Deror avi

    One of my favorite moments in scripture is when Mary of Nazareth rushes to her kinswoman Elizabeth and the two of them witness and affirm for one another the marvelous things that God is doing in their lives. I was startled to realize how few hymn texts there are to mark this momentous event. This text is written to represent the voice of Elizabeth, and all of us, as we witness the presence and power of God in Mary, in one another, and in the world around us.  

    You can find the hymn to preview or purchase here and reproduce it for worship with One License. It is also a part of my collection Elemental Joy.

    This text is set to the tune HAF TRONES LAMPA FÄRDIG and can also be used with LANCASHIRE or ST. THEODULPH. All three of these tunes are associated with a much older Advent text, “Ermuntert euch, ihr Frommen” by Laurentius Laurenti, translated into English by S.L. Findlater as “Rejoice, Rejoice Believers.”

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