Here I am Lord

I'd like to make my own contribution to the Everything Hymnal, and I must say I'm fairly surpirsed it hasn't been added yet. Thanks to Tiefling for beginning a great, and in my opinion needed, metanode.

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Here I am Lord
~St. Francis of Assisi~

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 love to them
Whom shall I send?

Refrain:

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 snow and rain,
I have borne My people’s pain
I have wept for love of them
They turn away
I will break their hearts of stone
Give them hearts for love alone
I will speak my word to them
Whom shall I send?

(Refrain)

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?

(Refrain)

A few extra facts on this hymn:

• The words and music are by Daniel L. Schutte, S.J., copyright 1981.
• I used to think this hymn was only sung by by Catholics, but haze has kindly informed me that it appears in a hymnal supplement put out by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, With One Voice. Shows what I know.
• Schutte may have had some unwitting inspiration from a lovely lady who was bringing up three very lovely girls. The chorus sounds very much like a slowed down version of the Brady Bunch theme. Compare:
  Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?/ Here's a story of a lovely lady
  I have heard You, calling in the night/Who was bringing up three very lovely girls.
  You be the judge.