Month: December 2020

I wrote this hymn in 1999 for the wedding of Amy Struckmeyer and Jim Skalla. They were both architects, which inspired the last verse.

It is set to the “Hymn of Joy” based on the “Ode to Joy” from Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

The recording was made with AI software (Suno) using a mixed chorus (SATB) with piano and string trio accompaniment.

In community we gather,
Off’ring blessings on this day.
Friends and fam’ly joined together,
Raising voices now to pray.
May your journey from this moment
Be in God’s embracing care –
Like a mother, like a father,
Giving freely, always there.

May your days be filled with wonder,
May your nights be safe from fear.
May you learn to love each other
Ever more from year to year.
May you give to one another
Gifts of gentleness and grace;
Partners in a life together,
Hand in hand through time and space.

May your light shine in the darkness,
May your words be strong and bold.
May your love and your compassion,
Be a sign to young and old.
May your hearts accept all others,
Strangers, friends, and enemies.
May your lives reflect God’s kingdom,
Breaking down all boundaries.

May you build on strong foundations
A creation of your own,
Structured to withstand the ages,
Stronger still than brick or stone.
Joined with love, and care, and patience,
Built with tenderness and tears,
Crafted with a joyful spirit,
That endures throughout the years.

© 1999 Kurt Struckmeyer

Music: “Hymn of Joy” based on the “Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven

I wrote this hymn in 2002 for the wedding of Sara Struckmeyer (a photographer) and Chris Masson (a potter). I was inspired by the melody of the traditional folk song “The Water Is Wide.”

I used AI software (Suno) to create the recording. It was difficult to get the results I wanted. The soprano voice goes astray of the melody occasionally, but you will get the gist.

Like potter’s clay on spinning wheel,
Grasped by strong hands that push and pull,
Our lives take shape in height and breadth,
In form and grace most wonderful.

Our vision shaped by hands of love,
What we have known is what we see.
We look at life as through a lens.
The eyes of love see differently.

As hatred blooms around the world,
As evil reigns and has its way,
The eyes of love are filled with hope.
Hate cannot last, love comes to stay.

So come now friends and family
In celebration, share in song.
That these two lives conceived in love
Will now be joined, their whole life long.

And may our prayers be offered here
That each may grow as husband, wife;
That love may bloom and bring new joy,
Transcending death, transforming life.

We raise our thanks and praise to God
With flute and pipe, with strings and voice;
We lift our hearts in gratitude
For life and love. Let all rejoice!

© 2002 Kurt Struckmeyer

Music: “The Water Is Wide” – Traditional