It was written by South African born lay Franciscan Johann Sebastian von Tempelhoff, who is usually known as Sebastian Temple (1928-1997). The song was written in 1967, and was included on Temple's album "Happy the Man" which was commissioned by Franciscian Communications. It is dedicated to Mrs Frances Tracy.
Like many of Temple's songs, although popular in some religious folk music circles it was not widely known. However in 1997 it was performed by the Westminster Boys' Choir at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, and this led to a massive surge in its popularity and public recognition, and a number of recordings and re-releases. Many websites say that it is "the anthem" of the Royal British Legion (a veteran's welfare organisation) but I have not found any evidence to support this.
With irregular meter, the tune which Temple wrote for the song does not appear to have ever been named. It has a cut-common time signature. In the key of Db, the first few notes are FF F F F G A F_.
Like many of Temple's songs, although popular in some religious folk music circles it was not widely known. However in 1997 it was performed by the Westminster Boys' Choir at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, and this led to a massive surge in its popularity and public recognition, and a number of recordings and re-releases. Many websites say that it is "the anthem" of the Royal British Legion (a veteran's welfare organisation) but I have not found any evidence to support this.
With irregular meter, the tune which Temple wrote for the song does not appear to have ever been named. It has a cut-common time signature. In the key of Db, the first few notes are FF F F F G A F_.
Downloads
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Examples
Solo singer, piano accompaniment:
Solo singer, band backing, professional recording:
Cathedral choir and congregation with organ (possibly the performance from Princess Diana's funeral):
Choir with piano:
Children's choir with piano:
Choir with praise band:
Lyrics
The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:1 Make me a channel of your peace ...
2 Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life ....
(bridge)
O Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
3 Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning .....
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