A Place at the Table (For Everyone Born)

I recently came across this song one afternoon while browsing YouTube and immediately had to go to the piano and find the sheet music. The melody and lyrics of this song are amazing! Each verse written to calls for justice, safety and a place for ALL people.

In her hymn, “A Place at the Table” (1998), Ms. Murray presents a Christian equivalent to the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” drafted by the U.N. General Council, thus connecting the global concern of Christianity with the global concerns of the United Nations and, indeed, all humanity. This is a powerful hymn for human rights and justice. Murray presents the unconditional and challenging vision of God’s shalom, especially as it addresses the worth of all persons.You can read more about Ms. Murray and the story behind the song here.

… and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy,
compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

For everyone born, a place at the table,
for everyone born, clean water and bread,
a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
for everyone born, a star overhead,
   and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy,
compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

For woman and man, a place at the table,
revising the roles, deciding the share,
with wisdom and grace, dividing the power,
for woman and man, a system that’s fair,
   and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy,
compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

For young and for old, a place at the table,
a voice to be heard, a part in the song,
the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
for young and for old, the right to belong,
   and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy,
compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

For just and unjust, a place at the table,
abuser, abused, with need to forgive,
in anger, in hurt, a mindset of mercy,
for just and unjust, a new way to live,
   and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy,
compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

For everyone born, a place at the table,
to live without fear, and simply to be,
to work, to speak out, to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free,
   and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy,
compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

Additional Verse:
For gay and for straight, a place at the table,
a covenant shared, a welcoming space,
a rainbow of race and gender and colour,
for gay and for straight, the chalice of grace,
   and God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy,
compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

Music & Lyrics by Shirley Erena Murray