Hear I am, Lord
English Lyrics
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
“Here I Am, Lord”, also known as “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky” after its opening line, is a Christian hymn written by the American composer of Catholic liturgical music Dan Schutte in 1979 and published in 1981. Its words are based on Isaiah 6:8 and 1 Samuel 3:4. It is published by OCP Publications.
Schutte wrote the song at age 31 when he was studying theology at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. He was requested to compose, on short notice, a piece for the ordination Mass of a deacon, incorporating in the lyrics God’s word, of Jesus as the light, and the bread and wine of the Eucharist.
Schutte’s hymn is also sung in many Protestant worship services and is found in multiple hymnals and missalettes.
In 2004 a survey conducted by the Tablet, an international Catholic magazine, reported “Here I Am, Lord” as readers’ favorite. A poll conducted by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians found among members that it came in second among “songs that make a difference”.
In 2013 a survey conducted by Songs of Praise, “Here I Am, Lord” was named the fifth most popular hymn in Britain.
In 2019 “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky” was voted the United Kingdom’s 10th favorite hymn.
