A Body, Broken on a Cross
"A nation drifting in decline can turn to just and loving ways..."
Music by Ron KlusmeierWords by Brian Wren
Tune Name: STETTLER
Lyrics as Poetry
A body, broken on a cross,
with watching women’s helpless grief,
and men in heedless, headlong flight,
through fear, despair or disbelief —
in this, though still we find it strange,
are life, and hope, and power to change.
A people weaponless and weak,
not many wealthy, great or wise,
but women, laborers and slaves,
absurd to Greek and Roman eyes,
their Caesar’s rages could forgive,
out-die, out-suffer, and out-live.
And still today, abroad, at home,
from suburb or from shanty-town,
the Spirit’s new, surprising word,
in ours or other faiths, or none,
our sad routines will disarrange
with gospel-hope of power to change.
When disillusion chains our feet
and might and money turn to dust,
when exile, desert or defeat
have left us nothing else to trust,
at last our spirit understands
the strength of peaceful, nail-scarred hands.
A nation drifting in decline
can turn to just and loving ways,
and people empty, bruised, ashamed,
can find rebirth to joy and praise,
and churches, wakened, can exchange
a huddled death for power to change.
Words by
Brian WrenCopyright © 1989 by Hope Publishing Company
(Carol Stream, Illinois) for USA,
Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Copyright © 1989 by Stainer & Bell Limited
(London, England) for all other territories
Audio Sample for
"A Body, Broken on a Cross"
One verse
played on piano
Scripture References
- Luke 23:49
- 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Season, Theme
or Subject
- Church∶ ministry
- Church∶ unity
- Cross
- Good Friday
- Jesus∶ cross
- Justice, Human Rights
- Love∶ Christ's love
- Peace
- Spirit
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Comments About Song
BRIAN WREN
from his book “Piece Together Praise” (p 55):
A Body, Broken on a Cross was“commissioned by the Overseas Divisionof the Methodist Church (UK)for its 1986-87 theme ‘Power to Change’.”
Piece Together Praise
(A Theological Journey)
is co-published by:Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, IL USA
(for USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand)Stainer & Bell, Limited
London, England
(for all other countries)