As the Wind Song through the Trees

"so it is with the Spirit of God"

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Shirley Erena Murray
Tune Name: PROUSE

Lyrics as Poetry

As the wind song through the trees,
as the stirring of the breeze,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
as the heart made strangely warm,
as the voice within the storm,
so it is with the Spirit of God.

Never seen, ever known
where this wind has blown
bringing life, bringing power to the world,
as the dancing tongues of fire,
as the soul’s most deep desire,
so it is with the Spirit of God.

As the rainbow after rain,
as the hope that’s born again,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
as the green in the spring,
as a kite on a string,
so it is with the Spirit of God,

making worlds that are new,
making peace come true,
bringing gifts, bringing love to the world,
as the rising of the yeast,
as the wine at the feast,
so it is with the Spirit of God.


Words by
Shirley Erena MurrayCopyright © 2005 by Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, Illinois • USA

Comments About Song

The Tune Name is for
CONNIE PROUSE
in celebration of 50 years of
faith-filled musical leadership
at the Kelvington Pastoral Charge
of the United Church of Canada
(Kelvington, Saskatchewan).


The text for
“As the Wind Song Through the Trees”
was originally published in Shirley’s book,
“Touch the Earth Lightly” (#1).


Touch the Earth Lightly
is published by:Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, IL USA


A Reflection by
WALTER FARQUHARSON

One of Father Edward Hays’ most popular books was “Pray All Ways”. It was one of my soul-mate Joan’s favourite books and she revisited it several times during the weeks before her death. Edward Hays moved from the Biblical injunction to pray always to invite us not only to pray always and in all circumstances but to pray all ways, using all of our bodily senses, experiencing life fully and, out of that experiencing, to enter more fully into the life of God. Shirley Erena Murray does that – I suspect did that in all her living, but certainly in her poetry and hymn writing.

This hymn echoes many scriptural references – the Emmaus journey, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us”, the wind that “blows where it chooses but is not seen”, the Pentecostal dancing tongues of fire, the germinating greening shoots of grain, the pungent yeast bringing life to the dough, the wine at the wedding feast of Cana. Each of these could be visited and the multiple meanings distilled. This is the recitation of the Biblical drama, the gospel story, the faith community’s birth and rebirth.

And, tucked into this hymn’s images, comes the surprising phrase “as a kite on a string”. Of course, Jesus did observe and comment on the play of children, but nothing is recorded of him ever referring specifically to kite-flying. Had he done so, how easily “Go fly a kite!” might have become one of the final bits of instruction Jesus left with his disciples – along with directives such as “Go tell” and “Feed my sheep”.

This hymn celebrates how the Spirit works within, around and through us. Always, and all ways, “making worlds that are new, making peace come true, bringing gifts, bringing love to the world.”

Several years ago, Joan and I and a group of our closest friends sat as part of an audience being addressed by Edward Hays. He began one presentation “Christians, you are the light of the world!” (Pause. Smile.) “So lighten up!”

Hays wasn’t counselling facetiousness. He was recognizing that if we live in the light of God, the love of God, the joy of God, if we are attuned to the “windsong through the trees” we will be unburdened, unchained and, claiming freedom, become more creative, more empowered, at one with the good and redeeming, healing will of God.

Ron’s tune is absolutely right for this delightful piece of poetic, gospel-filled wisdom.

An Activity: Creating a kite, or kites, could be a good exercise. Flying them even better. Then pondering what our mission could look like – today.

                               Audio Sample for "As the Wind Song through the Trees"

Verse 1
sung by David Moddle

Scripture References

  • Genesis 9:12-17
  • 1 Kings 19:9-18
  • Matthew 13:33
  • John 2:1-11
  • John 3:8
  • Acts 1:8
  • Acts 2:1-4
  • 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
  • Revelation 21:5

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • Communion
  • Compassion
  • Eucharist
  • Feast, Feasting
  • Festive, Festival
  • Food
  • God∶ love of
  • God∶ spirit of
  • Love∶ God's
  • Music, Song
  • Peace
  • Pentecost
  • Spirit
  • Table
  • Time, Seasons
  • World

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