Simple Prayer The Peace Prayer of St. Francis composed by Thomas Heck for voice (or choir), flute, cello, and guitar originally called Preghiera semplice.

“Simple Prayer”The Peace Prayer of St. Francis

•composed by Thomas Heck for voice (or choir), flute, ‘cello, and guitar

•originally called “Preghiera semplice” (simple prayer) in Italian

•sung in this performance by Christine Shumway Mortine

Leader or soloist sings

O Signore, fa di me uno strumento della tua Pace:

Everyone sings

Where there is hate let us show your love,Dove è odio, fa ch’io porti l’amore,

Where there’s offense, may we pardon,Dove è offesa, ch’io porti il perdono,

Where there’s discord, help us foster unity,Dove è discordia, ch’io porti l’unione,

Where there’s doubt, let us share our faith,Dove è dubbio, ch’io porti la fede,

Everyone sings

Where there is error let us bring truth,Dove è errore, ch’io porti la verità,

And hope to those in despair,Dove è disperazione, ch’io porti la speranza,

Where there is sadness may we bring joy,Dove è tristezza, ch’io porti la gioia,

And light to those in darkness,Dove sono le tenebre, ch’io porti la luce,

Everyone sings

Help us, o Master, not so much to seek,

Oh, Maestro! Fa ch’io non cerchi tanto:

To be consoled as to console,Ad essere consolata, quanto a consolare,

To be understood as to understand, Ad essere compreso, quanto a comprendere,

To be loved as to love,

Ad essere amato, quanto ad amare.

For in giving we receive,

Poichè si è: Dando che si riceve,

In pardoning we are pardoned, Perdonando che si è perdonati,

In dying we are born to our eternal life! Morendo che si riuscita a vita eterna.

In dying we are born to our eternal life! Morendo che si riuscita a vita eterna.

Thank you for your interest in this wonderful peace prayer!

Thomas HeckEmeritus Professor, The Ohio State University

[email protected]

Adult Education Division, Santa Barbara City College