This page is provided so that you can hear the tunes of items which we use in church. Mostly they are written by the vicar. Please note that they are copyright - we are very happy to give permission to you to use them, but we would like to hear about it. Please include any use on your Christian Copyright Licence returns.
Down this page:
- the words,
- the story,
- the sheet music,
- media player.
Consider the ravens
Consider the ravens
Consider the ravens:
they don't sow or reap,
no storing in barns,
but their food comes: "Cheep, cheep!"
For God feeds them all,
and you're worth more than they.
So first seek his kingdom,
and live life his way.
Seek your Father's kingdom, and he will give
all the other things that you need as you live.
All the pagan world runs after those things,
but God will look after you, for he's the King of kings.
Consider the lilies:
they don't spin or sew,
yet Solomon's clothing
can't match what they grow.
God dresses the flowers
which last just a day,
so surely he'll clothe those
who live life his way.
Seek your Father's kingdom ...
Fear not little flock, for
your Father is pleased
to give you his kingdom.
So trust and believe,
and sell your possessions
and give to the poor:
your treasure in heaven
will grow all the more.
Seek your Father's kingdom ...
Words and music copyright © John Hartley 2008. All rights reserved.
Based on Luke 12:22-34.
Story behind the song
The song "Seek ye first the kingdom of God" (Karen Lafferty 1972 Maranatha Music, Mission Praise 590) is a great favourite on Jesus' teaching about getting our priorities right in Matthew 6:33 and 7:7. But I always think there is room for alternative songs to put across the bible's teaching, and when the parallel passage in St Luke's Gospel came up in a reading for Morning Prayer, I decided to set it to music.
John Hartley.
Windows Media Player. When you click the left-hand "play" button your computer should have started to play the tune. If it didn't, you might be able to get the tune by clicking here, or by right-clicking the link, choosing "save target as", saving it onto your computer, and then opening it with a music-playing program.
Please remember that a midi file of a tune isn't supposed to be a state-of-the-art musical arrangement - it is only supposed to give a basic idea of how the tune goes. Any reasonable organist / keyboard player / music group could make it sound far better.