The 16th of September is St Ninian’s Day. St Ninian is not only the patron saint of five of the churches in Glasgow and Galloway (Castle Douglas, Pollokshields, Portpatrick, Prestwick, and Troon) but also one of the two patron saints of our Diocese. He is depicted on the right side of the Diocesan shield.
A few years ago, the Rev Les Ireland wrote a hymn for the Diocesan pilgrimage to Whithorn, and it was sung there and also at other churches thereafter. The tune to the hymn is from the folk song “The Wild Mountain Thyme,” also known as “Will Ye Go, Lassie Go?”
We hope that you can find the time to sing and reflect on the words below…
To our country came Saint Ninian,
Landed at the Isle of Whithorn,
Journeyed far across the ocean,
From the place where he was born,
Bringing glory to our King.
We sing praise to God the Father,
We sing praise to God the Son,
We sing praise to God the Spirit,
To our Lord, the three in one.
To our nation came a preacher,
Spoke of peace from God the Father,
Preached the love of God the Son,
Showed the joy of God the Spirit,
Bringing worship to our King.
We sing praise…
To our people came a teacher,
Opened out the word of scripture,
Shared the wonder of creation,
Brought us Jesus Christ, our saviour,
Bringing service to our King.
We sing praise…
To our present comes a witness,
Asking us to follow Jesus,
Showing us the power of God,
Drawing us to greater faith,
Bringing us to Christ, our King.
We sing praise…
Lord, I thank you for Saint Ninian.
Lord, I thank you that you’ve called me,
Lord, I thank you that we, children,
Walk with you, on our own journey,
Bringing Jesus to our world.
We sing praise…
