I will speak out for those who have no voices (StF 702)
- Authors & translators:
- Bankhead, Dave (auth)
- Authors & translators:
- Goudie, Ray (auth)
- Authors & translators:
- Rinaldi, Sue (auth)
- Authors & translators:
- Bassett, Steve (auth)
- Metre:
- Irregular
- Composers & arrangers:
- Wright, Paul Leddington
- Composers & arrangers:
- Bankhead, Dave (comp)
- Composers & arrangers:
- Goudie, Ray (comp)
- Composers & arrangers:
- Rinaldi, Sue (comp)
- Composers & arrangers:
- Bassett, Steve (comp)
- Theme:
- Justice and Peace
- Source:
- Singing the Faith: 702 (CD29 #2)
- Verses:
- 2
- STF Number:
- 702
Ideas for use
This text works well spoken as a prayer of commitment, perhaps at the close of a service. Try dividing up the lines between two halves of the congregation, left and right as below. Perhaps have them face each other as they exhort each other to action for justice:
L: I will speak out for those who have no voices;
R: I will stand up for the rights of all the oppressed;
L: I will speak truth and justice;
R: I’ll defend the poor and the needy;
All: I will lift up the weak in Jesus’ name.
L: I will speak out for those who have no choices;
R: I will cry out for those who live without love;
L: I will show God’s compassion
R: to the crushed and broken in spirit;
All: I will lift up the weak in Jesus’ name.
This song has a tune that, initially, requires some strong leadership, but the syncopations are not difficult and once in the mind, the insistent, almost defiant, nature of the tune supports the words of determination and commitment well.