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Scroll down to see full LYRICS and RESOURCES (cd, music book etc) relating to this song.
WHERE TO NOW EDMUND?
Edmund Rice was born 1761 in Ireland. He was a prosperous merchant, a married man, then widower and father of a handicapped daughter. Moved by compassion and a fierce desire for justice for the downtrodden poor of Ireland, he founded the Christian Brothers in 1802. In 1996, Edmund was beatified by Pope John Paul II, so he is now known at blessed Edmund Rice. His feast-day is May 5th.
Brother Julian McDonald arranged a commission for me to write this song for an Edmund Rice staff day in 1999 at St Patrick's College Strathfield. The opening phrases of the chorus was suggested by the 'Called and Gifted' program run by Dennis Farrar at the Edmund Rice Centre, Mulgoa NSW. In composing the song I was grateful for thoughts and input provided by Br Laurie Needham, Br. Julian McDonald, Sr. Jan Barnett, Dennis Farrar, Br. Paul Cochrane and Br. John Thorber.
Who knows where a hefty song like this goes after it is written and published? I was thrilled to hear one story of its use from a Christian Brother who had recently returned from Africa. He told me that while the song was playing, the local people had danced in a circle. In the middle of the circle was a large drum. At the recurrent moments when two loud drum beats are heard: "Where to now Edmund?" (boom, boom), the dancers would leap toward the drum and strike it twice in time with the music.
lyrics
WHERE TO NOW EDMUND? (On Blessed Edmund Rice)
CHORUS:
We are called. We are gifted. We are learning to respond
To the needs of the times we are living here today.
We are called, we are lifted, we are hanging on your word.
Where to now Edmund? Where would you go now?
1. Go to each other - yes that’s what Jesus said.
Serve one other - that’s exactly what you did
Out on the edges, the shadows, a star was burning bright
To guide the young ones - you taught them
To claim their human right.
You said: it’s ours to choose - choose life!
In God the healing. Name what you’re fearing.
God is revealing through the pride of the poor standing tall.
CHORUS:
We are called. We are gifted. We are learning to respond
To the needs of the times we are living here today.
We are called, we are lifted, we are hanging on your word.
Where to now Edmund? What would you do now?
2. New seeds are blowing on a dry and dusty day.
God does the growing if we trust enough to wait.
Our world is shifting and changing and we don’t have any chart
To find direction, but you showed us one way to make a start.
Your prayer was: "Live Jesus in our hearts".
Help us be prayerful, to be strong yet gentle
May all we build be in respect for the Earth, our good Earth.
CHORUS
We are called. We are gifted. We are learning to respond
To the needs of the times we are living here today.
We are called, we are lifted, we are hanging on your word.
Where to now Edmund? Where would you go now?
3. One man of vision with your feet still on the ground.
One life decision - now your Family has no bounds.
You were moved by God’s spirit to open wide your heart
To see Christ present, appealing.
in the poor you took their part
We are the strugglers, the stranded you made your welcome guests
We are the carers, the teachers who try to give their best
Our prayer is: "Live Jesus in our hearts".
Be there forever, as we endeavour.
Help us to see You in the hearts of one and all - hear the call.
FINAL CHORUS:
We are called. We are gifted. We are learning to respond
To the needs of the times we are living here today.
We are called, we are lifted, we are hanging on your Word.
Where to now Edmund? Where would you go now?
Where to now Jesus? What would you do now?
Where to now Edmund? Where do we go now?
credits
released April 30, 2021
RELATED RESOURCES
Available for purchase through Peter Kearney's Online Store:
THE RECORDING:
Arranged, produced and recorded by Peter Kearney in The Little Portion Studio, Welby.
VOCALS: Peter Kearney - male vocal.
Female vocals: Louise Cassidy, Catherine Mahony & Clare Michael
MUSIC: Guitars and other instruments by Peter Kearney.
Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are
internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.
LINKS BELOW are for Peter's:
- Website
- Online store
- Facebook Artist Page....more
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