Written by British New Zealander Richard Gillard in 1977, “The Servant Song” (CCLI #72673) is such a beautiful expression of the Christian call to community and friendship, marked by selfless service, a walking alongside, and the bearing of one another’s joys, sorrows, and fears.
Here’s a 2015 performance by Father Cyprian Consiglio, prior of New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California, and Brother James Makil:
And, from 2017, a performance by Lowana Wallace [previously], accompanied by Matt Froese on guitar. Wallace has one of the most gorgeous voices I’ve heard.
The first line was originally written as “Brother, let me be your servant” but has since been updated to be gender-inclusive, as either “Brother, sister, let me serve you” or “Will you let me be your servant.” Wallace uses “Sister” as the address in the first verse and then “Brother” in the repeat of that verse at the end.
Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant tooWe are pilgrims on a journey
Fellow travelers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the loadI will hold the Christ-light for you
In the nighttime of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hearI will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey throughWhen we sing to God in heaven
We will find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agonyWill you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant too
Jesus’s words to his disciples in Matthew 20:26–28 inspired the song’s main theme: “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Other scriptural allusions include “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matt. 5:41), “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15), and “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).
Art & Theology 
Thank you for an introduction to this beautiful song and lovely performances. I’ve already suggested our parish choir learn and sing it for one of our services.
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I’d forgotten this song! Thanks for reminding me of it, and for sharing these recordings.
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Thankyou
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Thank you for sharing this song. Lowana Wallace’s rendition was extremely touching; simple and truthful. I hope she does more like this.
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I love all the art pieces, music, and content you’ve curated here on your blog Victoria. I know that art, music, poetry, literature, and so many other creative expressions are an outpouring of God’s character and image through his creation. Thanks for sharing!
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Bless you for posting Lowana’s singing along with Matt’s guitar accompaniment. They are two treasured members of our parish who serve St. Aidan in so many wonderful and creative ways. I’m grateful to be their priest and friend.
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I love the Servant Song, it’s a song before I depart on my pilgrimage to Brazil in 2013, I think the composer addressess the “Brother” to our Lord, not to any people.
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In a previous parish, my choir would sing this in 4-part harmony, unaccompanied, during the footwashing rite on Maundy Thursday.
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I first heard this in the last month while visiting a church out of town. We all sang it and by the last verse, I was touched so deeply, that I could hardly sing. I quickly wrote down the song’s information so I might use it as words shared at my next meeting as Chaplin for a sisterhood.
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