the summons by john bell

Words: John L. Bell & Graham Maule, copyright © 1987 Wild Goose Resource Group/ WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH, Scotland. Melody: 'Kelvingrove', Scots traditional. Reproduced by permission. Websites: wgrg.co.uk & holycity-glasgow.co.uk

(chords/lyrics/thoughts at http://jmcbray.wordpress.com ) The Summons is about the calling of all people to follow Gods call to become themselves more fully. To care for cruel and kind and to never be the same. In this song the call to service is one that is transformational when we accept Christs calling to come and be where God is already, our lives are shaped by the experience. The last line of each verse also echoes the mutual nature of how God works in us and through us and through God we find our living, our moving, and our being.

The lyrics for this song come out of the Iona Community in Scotland where writer Graham Maule and musician John Bell live in intentional community. The music is from a traditional Scottish tune called Kelvingrove. Written in 1987, The Summons can be found in the United Methodist hymnal addition called The Faith We Sing number 2130.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• jmcbray
• the summons
• john bell
• iona
• chords
• lyrics
• will you come and follow me
• faith we sing
• 2130
• Graham Maule

[humblebum75]

Great work!

Where I'm from, about 15-20 years ago songs from Iona were really popular with worship leaders who were looking to encourage worship renewal in traditional churches. 20 years on, it seems like the contemporary worship scene is focused on songs from the Vineyard and Hillsongs churches, and is missing out on Iona's great stuff - which is a great shame. So I'm glad that there are other contemporary worship leaders out there doing interesting things with Iona songs :-)

[jmcbray1983]

@humblebum75 Thanks for your encouragement. Iona and its resources continue to have a place (in my opinion) in the worship life of many congregations. I am not opposed to hillsong and vineyard worship resources, but conscientiously choose those songs/hymns/arrangements that have more appropriate theology, music, and content. thanks for your comments.

[grahammaule]

@jmcbray1983: hi, as one of the authors of this (and for my sins, copyright administrator of WGRG stuff), can I say we're flattered at your uploading of our song. But could I ask that you add the following details to your main comment? many thanks, graham:

Words: John L. Bell & Graham Maule, copyright © 1987 Wild Goose Resource Group/ WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH, Scotland. Melody: 'Kelvingrove', Scots traditional. Reproduced by permission. Websites: wgrg.co.uk & holycity-glasgow.co.uk

[jmcbray1983]

@grahammaule Thank you for your kind correction/admonition here--I am glad to finally have this in the 'right'. Thank you for your grace (and for your writing) and work with Iona & Wild Goose Resource Group. Our students and church members find the Summons to be one of the most compelling, transformational, and missional songs that we sing! Thank you again!

[xxmeetmyeviltwin]

This is gorgeous. Would it be possible to get a tab of the way you're playing this?

[jmcbray1983]

@xxmeetmyeviltwin --thanks for your comments. as for a tab of this, sadly there is not a tab version of this song. I'll refer you to the Cut Capo conversation with peacefultable above to get things going-- the basic chords of the song are as follows, but I am simply using chord shapes relative to capo on II (D2 A2 Bsus G A2). I hope that helps.

E Bsus C#m A2 Bsus

E Bsus C#m A2 Bsus E

F#m C#m A2 Bsus

E Bsus C#m A2 Bsus E

[elton9876]

Superb! Thanks for posting. From now on it is in my repertoire

Martin

[roundsm18]

@xxmeetmyeviltwin

If you pull a copy of the tabs from the song Kelvin Grove, which is a very easy to come by song, you will find the tabs used for The Summons originally.

The Summons can be purchased for about a dollar in sheet music - which includes the Penny Whistle parts.

[grahammaule]

@jmcbray1983

Thank you for your kind words. We're humbled that folk seem to find it valuable. Keep on keepin on', g

[catholichotie]

Sounds Great more of a charismatic way of playing

[humblebum75]

@jmcbray1983 - Good to see :-)

I've nothing against Vineyard or Hillsongs material either - its just a shame that the "contemporary" and "traditional" camps have largely been parting ways. I'm glad to hear that your experience is different :-)

[DavosMoon]

Still one of my favorite songs...it's such a big part of the call. Will I do these things? Let's live my life and find out!