Polman wrote the text with the Israeli folk tune LINDESFARNE in mind. The tune was published in its current arrangement in the Oxford children's hymnal Their Words My Thoughts (1983). A charming tune in minor tonality, LINDESFARNE features a striking climax at the end of the second line that creates an effective melodic contour for the entire tune. It is intended for unison singing with accompaniment by keyboard or a variety of instruments; the tempo should be solid and majestic.
The tune was arranged by Francesca Leftley (b. Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, 1955), who presumably named the tune for the English island famous for its religious history and its castle; Lindesfarne, also known as Holy Island, is located in the North Sea off England's Northumberland coast and south of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Leftley graduated from Digby Stuart College of Education, London, England, with a degree in music education. She has directed choirs and orchestras and has been active in church music at the local parish level. Her many songs have been published in a number of collections. Leftley was also involved in revising and composing new works for the Veritas Religious Education Syllabus used by Roman Catholic schools in Great Britain and Ireland.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
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