Hands Shaped like a Cradle

Interfaith Text Version

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Fred Kaan
Tune Name: MILLAR

Lyrics as Poetry

Put peace into each other’s hands
and like a treasure hold it,
protect it like a candle flame,
with tenderness enfold it.

Put peace into each other’s hands
with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and ways,
in touch with God’s creation.

Put peace into each other’s hands
like bread we break for sharing;
look people warmly in the eye:
our life is meant for caring.

Give thanks for strong yet tender hands,
held out in trust and blessing.
Where words fall short, let hands speak out,
the heights of love expressing.

Reach out in friendship, stay with faith
in touch with those around you.
Put peace into each other’s hands:
the Peace that sought and found you.


Words by
Fred KaanCopyright © 1989, 2001 by Hope Publishing Company
(Carol Stream, Illinois) for USA and CanadaCopyright © 1989, 2001 by Stainer & Bell Limited
(London, England) for all other territories

Comments About Song

On March 15th, 2010, the stone honouring Fred Kaan and marking the resting place of some of his ashes was dedicated by United Reformed and Anglican clergy in the cemetery of St. Patrick on the shore of Ullswater, near his last home in the English Lake District. It was Fred’s request that a portion of the words for “Hands Shaped Like a Cradle” be on his grave marker.

The rest of Fred’s ashes were buried by his wife, Anthea, in November 2009 at the base of an oak tree on the lawn of Vancouver School of Theology. That tree was planted by Fred in 2004, on the occasion of his lectures at VST.


Of the origins of this hymn text, Fred wrote in his 1999 book “The Only Earth We Know” (page 49):

“This hymn was born when I watched people go forward to the altar rail to receive Communion: they shaped their hands like a cradle to receive the bread. (Bethlehem — house of bread — did not fully live up to its name until Jesus, the bread of life, was laid in the manger!)”


From the book “Healing the Nations — Fred Kaan the Man and His Hymns” by Gillian R. Warson (excerpts from pp 102-103):

“As his thinking on the subject of multi-faith hymnody evolved, Fred began to rework some of his earlier texts. A vivid example of this is ‘Hands Shaped Like a Cradle’…”

“In 1991, this hymn was sung at the first service of thanksgiving for the life and work of Bolton Hospice. The hymn was so popular that it was used at subsequent anniversaries of the hospice and even came to be referred to as ‘the hospice hymn’. However, the hospice chaplaincy realized that more and more Muslim and Hindu relatives attended these services, a reflection of Bolton’s increasing ethnic diversity…”


“The hospital chaplain, Rev. Jim Hollyman, eventually contacted Fred to ask if he would be willing to write two new verses that might be more appropriate for a multi-faith occasion.”


This is how there came to be two versions of this text. The “Communion Version” contains five verses, two of which (verses 4 and 5) are distinctly identifiable as Christian and Communion-inspired. The “Interfaith Version” (also five verses) replaces those last two verses with two new ones which reflect the realities of hospice ministry as well as the ethnic diversity of our global community. Most hymnbooks and collections published in the 21st century which include this title offer both versions, each having uniquely appropriate applications.


The Only Earth We Know
(Hymn Texts by Fred Kaan)
is co-published by:Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, IL USA
(for USA and Canada)Stainer & Bell, Limited
London, England
(for all other countries)


Audio Sample for
”Hands Shaped
Like a Cradle”
(Interfaith version)

One verse played on piano

Scripture References

  • Psalm 85:10
  • Proverbs 22:9
  • Isaiah 58:7
  • 1 Corinthians 10:16

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • Care, Caring
  • Human Relationships
  • Inclusiveness
  • Intercession
  • Interfaith
  • Intergenerational
  • Life∶ living life
  • Marriage
  • Maundy Thursday
  • Outreach
  • Peace
  • Relationships∶ relationships with others
  • Service, Serving
  • Share, Sharing
  • Wedding

Presentation Suggestions

Not yet available for this title. Contact us if you are a subscriber (or purchaser of this title) and need this item.

Projection Images

This feature is only accessible to Subscribers or those who have purchased this Single Title.


Use the link below for instructions on how to use the Projection Images in Powerpoint and Keynote.

Learn more

Projection Images
Available for This Title


16:9 Words Only
16:9 Words With Music
16:9 Words With Images
4:3 Words Only
4:3 Words With Music
4:3 Words With Images

Accompaniment Recordings

Not yet available for this title. Contact us if you are a subscriber (or purchaser of this title) and need this item.

  • Subscribe To All Titles

    unlimited annual access to everything on this site

  • Purchase This Title

    unlimited access to all versions of this title

  • unlimited access to an individual version of this title

Purchasers and Subscribers
Click links below to download your versions.

Versions Available for This Title

Contact us if you need a version you don’t see here.

Choral Anthem Arrangements


  • Choral Anthem: SATB Full Score
  • Choral Anthem: SATB Choral Parts

Melody Line Versions (includes transposing instruments)


  • Melody Line: 'C' Instrument or Vocal
  • Melody Line: 'C' Instrument 8va
  • Melody Line: Bass Clef 'C' Instrument
  • Melody Line: Alto Clef Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘Bb’ Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘Eb’ Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘F’ Instrument (high)
  • Melody Line: ‘F’ Instrument (low)

Hymn-style Vocal Harmonizations (accompany with any piano versions)


  • Hymn-style: SATB voices
  • Hymn-style: SAB voices

Piano Versions


  • Piano: Hymn-style
  • Piano: Hymn-style, without lyrics
  • Piano: Melody Line and Chords
  • Easy Piano: Hymn-style
  • Easy Piano: Hymn-style, without lyrics

Guitar Chords & Bass Progressions


  • Guitar & Bass: Full chords in keyboard key
  • Guitar: Transposed capo chords
  • Easy Guitar: Basic chords