Hymn for Spacefarers Painting courtesy of Novagraphics Space Art I wrote this poem in 1971 for submission to the compilers of a hymnal who were looking for material. It seemed to me then, during the Apollo era, that churches might want an appropriate hymn to sing at least at times when a space mission was in progress, if not to acknowledge the vital importance of space exploration to humanity's future. But it was never published. At the time of the Challenger disaster, I posted it on The Source, a national online system on which I was then active, but I don't know how widely it was disseminated. Recently I came across it while cleaning out some files, and decided that it might be of interest someday, if and when public enthusiasm is aroused for space again. I hereby grant permission for it to be reproduced by any group that that wishes to use it, provided the copyright notice is included and my written permission is obtained for any form of commercial publication. (If you put it on a website, please include a link to this page.) Its meter fits a number of traditional hymn tunes. HYMN FOR SPACEFARERS by Sylvia Engdahl O God of all the universe, By whom all worlds were formed, whose hand Has shaped the boundless firmament, Whose law bids galaxies expand: Divine Creator, unseen source Of infinite eternal light, We view with awe thy great design That set the stars within our sight. O Holy Spirit, be our guide As we pursue the endless way That leads each generation on To meet the challenge of its day. As with our forebears in their task, Be with us now as we of Earth Turn outward to thy vaster realm Beyond the planet of our birth. Grant wisdom, courage, strength and skill To all who venture into space: From peril and adversity Safeguard them with abiding grace; Direct their course; illuminate The dark and empty void that lies Between the worlds, and give them power To see thy cosmos with clear eyes. Grant us steadfastness when some give Their lives to fill our era's role; Accept, O God, their sacrifice, And make us worthy of its goal. Let us not falter, thou who placed That goal before us in Earth's youth: Who has ordained that we should seek New worlds, new mansions of thy truth. For in the seeking we shall turn From strife to a new unity Born of our common heritage; A single people we shall be. Thus may we face thy universe, And through its challenge may we find The path, as one Terrestrial race, To lasting peace for humankind. Copyright 1971, 1986, 1997 by Sylvia Engdahl Permission granted for noncommercial use; all other rights reserved Page design optimized for 800x600 and 1024x768 Space Subsite Home Lots more that I have written, or collected, about space! Main Home Page Links to pages about my science fiction novels and personal life.