Hello everyone,
Welcome to “His Hymns”, a podcast series celebrating the joys of hymnody and how God speaks to us through them. I grew up in Barbados, exposed to hymns in church and was privileged to hear them played beautifully by my father on both piano and organ. Needless to say, my love and appreciation grew for this form of worship and I eventually became fluent at playing hymns. I hope you enjoy this series and I welcome comments and discussion on some of the topics I address.
Today I will play the hymn “Come Labor On”, to the tune “Ora Labora”. This is frequently heard in churches around this time of the year as Americans celebrate Labor Day weekend. Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”. Just imagine that command in the first verse of this hymn coming directly from the Lord to you…”Go, work today”. Yes, there are many of us who remain jobless today but that does not mean that we dare stand idle. I have heard it said many a time that seeking a job is a full time job. As we return from summer holidays to our regular routines of the academic year, let us remember what Psalm 128:2 says, “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.”
Come, labor on.
Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain,
while all around us waves the golden grain?
And to each servant does the Master say,
“Go work today.”
Come, labor on.
The enemy is watching night and day,
to sow the tares, to snatch the seed away;
while we in sleep our duty have forgot,
he slumbered not.
Come, labor on.
Away with gloomy doubts and faithless fear!
No arm so weak but may do service here:
by feeblest agents may our God fulfill
his righteous will.
Come, labor on.
Claim the high calling angels cannot share–
to young and old the Gospel gladness bear;
redeem the time; its hours too swiftly fly.
The night draws nigh.
Come, labor on.
No time for rest, till glows the western sky,
till the long shadows o’er our pathway lie,
and a glad sound comes with the setting sun.
“Servants, well done.”
Words: Jane Borthwick, 1859, 1863
Music: Ora Labora, Qui orat laborat
Meter: 4 10 10 10 4
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Thank you for your very encouraging note Eddie. Soli Deo Gloria!
Sean, your playing is just wonderful, and I truly enjoy your introductions to the hymns and arrangements you’ve recorded. Your scriptural references and comments are a great devotional preface to each performance. I am thankful to have found you on the world wide web and YouTube. You are doing the Lord’s work, and I wish you all the best, and am looking forward to perusing your library of recordings and getting back to my spiritual roots at the organ. God bless you!