Scripture References:
st. 1 = Mic. 6:8
ref. = Ps. 127:1, 1 Cor. 15:58
Canadian Christian day school teacher and principal Frank De Vries (PHH 518) composed both text and tune in 1970 in Burnaby, British Columbia. Entitled "Workers' Song," the hymn was chosen as a theme song by the Christian Labor Association of Canada. That organization also published the hymn in 1970 in their Toronto Convention booklet. About his writing of "As Stewards" De Vries says, "I wrote this hymn in reaction to 'Solidarity Forever,' that strident union song which is sung at every convention and demonstration by the secular labor unions."
The Psalter Hymnal has omitted the original third stanza, which made specific reference to employer-employee relationships.
Liturgical Use:
Worship that emphasizes kingdom service in daily work, the pursuit of justice, reconciliation, and peace.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
Frank DeVries was born in 1929 in Langsa, Indonesia. He grew up in Holland, emigrated to Canada in 1952, and in 1953 married Celia, his childhood sweetheart. He and his wife are the parents of six children, two of which are deceased.
After obtaining Royal Conservatory degrees in theory and harmony, Frank and his wife moved to Grand Rapids where Frank graduated from Calvin College in 1962. Upon their return to Canada Frank taught at Pacific Christian School in Victoria, BC, and was principal at the John Knox Christian School in Wyoming, Ontario and the Houston and Vancouver Christian Schools both in BC.
The author of two short novels (God. Noun or Verb? in 2006 and Frans in 2008) he has contributed articles to many Christian magazines… Go to person page >
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