Silent growth while we are sleeping

I can’t remember when I first learned a traditional Welsh lullaby called “All Through the Night,” sung by the US American folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary.[1] It was on their first children’s album, released in 1969. I enjoyed this song and the whole album during my growing-up years in Indonesia; later my wife and I would play it too for our TCK children during our years in Indonesia.

Earlier this year I was introduced to the hymn “For the Fruit of All Creation.” As I listened, I smiled in recognition of the tune: it was the same Welsh tune used by Peter, Paul and Mary for the lullaby “All Through the Night!” The familiar tune drew me in, and the lyrics captured my attention too.

For the fruit of all creation,
Thanks be to God.
For the gifts to every nation,
Thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping,
Silent growth while we are sleeping,
Future needs in earth’s safekeeping,
Thanks be to God.

For the harvests of the Spirit
Thanks be to God
For the good we all inherit
Thanks be to God
For the wonders that astound us,
For the truths that still confound us,
Most of all that love has found us,
Thanks be to God.[2]

A couple lines speak to my “2nd half of life” heart:

“Silent growth while we are sleeping” - invites me to the patient and unhurried trust in God that is deepening in this season of my life

“Most of all that love has found us” – expresses my growing conviction that receiving and living in God’s great love for us (more than our love for the world!) is perhaps the most important truth to sustain us for a whole lifetime of walking with Jesus

You can sleep on that.

P.S. Here’s a simple a cappella audio recording of “For the Fruit of All Creation.”

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[1] In Welsh it is entitled Ar Hyd Y Nos. Singable English lyrics to the tune were written by Sir Harold Boulton in 1884 and are the basis of the rendering of this song by Peter, Paul and Mary.

[2] Lyrics by the British Methodist minister and hymnwriter, Fred Pratt Green, and published in 1970.