The last little while I have been dipping my toes into the deep waters of hymn writing. I would like to share one I wrote the other day, inspired by the writing of Dionysius the Areopagite. In chapter 15 of his book Celestial Hierarchy, Dionysius explains how fire is a symbol for God – both are dynamic and living, shapeless and powerful.
We have used this passage from Dionysius in our communion services in the past, but the way I have presented it here is new for a couple reasons. Firstly, I’ve played with the text a little more than before, drawing out the symbolic theology and placing the poem in its liturgical context as a candle lighting prayer.
Secondly, I’ve written it in common metre (8686), which means you can sing it to a surprisingly diverse set of tunes including: Amazing Grace, Pokémon theme song, House of the Rising Sun, Auld Lang Syne, and Yankee Doodle. Give each one a try and see if you get a smile out of it. Alternatively, there are instructions for ‘free chant’ in my book Psalter of the Birds for a more contemplative atmosphere.
The Nature of Fire
The sacred theologians teach
The image of fire and flame
Is a reflection of our God
A symbol of her name
Divinity most pure and true
Transcendent ground of being
Living and shapeless is our God
Just as the fire we're seeing
Discern from in the candle’s flame
The qualities of God
Spiritual fire is everywhere
In every cloud and clod
The fire of God within us burns
Both beautiful and strange
Although it passes through all things
It's essence does not change
The element above the rest
All fire gives birth to light
Illuminates the universe
Yet hidden from our sight
In its nature this fire remains
Unseen with outward eyes
The glowing light appears to us
Because the candle dies
Nothing opposes divine flame
It can never be seen
It is the master of all things
The all-fulfilling queen
She gives herself to every heart
Wherein a fire is lit
Renewing them with kindly warmth
Granting enlightenment
Bless the flame that distinguishes
In whom all things arrange
At once unchanging evermore
And yet the source of change
Arising upwards to the sky
Penetrating every depth
In all directions all at once
Unbounded, free from death
When left alone the flame goes out
But still it seeks to heal
With friction it returns once more
Its nature to reveal
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