• Duration: 7 minutes
  • Chorus: SATB
  • Instrumentation: Organ
  • Published: Novello & Co

Commissioned by Lincoln Cathedral, England to celebrate the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury for the centenary of the death of Bishop Edward King.

My brother Andrew provided the text which is based on the last letters from Edward King to the people of his diocese and the recurrent theme is ‘My dearest wish – be Christ-like Christians’.  I was lucky enough to be present on the 6th March 2010 to hear Lincoln’s wonderful choir premiere the anthem under Aric Prentice with accompaniment from the mighty Father Willis organ.

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My dearest wish
be Christ-like Christians;
like him,
bow down,
and serve;
seek truth,
simplicity
and love:
in our personal,
touching Lord.

My dearest wish
be Christ-like Christians;
be open;
broken hearted:
Go bravely on
and know
His love
will never let you go.

My dearest wish
be Christ-like Christians;
trust his perfect wisdom;
dwell in his peace
and unity;
hope in Him
our daily
duty.

My dearest wish
be Christ-like Christians;
be refreshed by Him;
seek His forgiving grace;
His gentleness
will make us great.

Words: Andrew Hawes (1954 –   ) based on the last letters from Edward King to the people of his Diocese