Common Ground Song 74 ‘Lord, for the Years’
Words: © Timothy Dudley Smith / Music: Michael Baughen © Jubilate Hymns
YouTube recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd14v0e1RWU
Featured image: Linda in Leeds, 11 July 2026
For those who may be reading this post who do not normally follow my blog, let me explain: I set myself a project at the start of this year to comment, in the course of 2026, on each of the 150 hymns in the Common Ground hymnbook. For a detailed explanation and links, read this.
A change of plan for today’s song blog. Because, since my last post on Tuesday, a great tragedy has hit our family: my beloved wife of 23 years, Linda, died in Leeds General Infirmary on Thursday aged 61, with close family present. After the cremation there will be a celebration of her life in church. Undoubtedly, we will sing this hymn, because above all it is ‘our song’. It was the final hymn at our wedding service in 2003, sending us out as a newly-wed couple to ‘live for Christ alone’. Its lyrics summarise, in the beautiful poetry of the late Timothy Dudley-Smith, all that Linda was, and who we have been as a couple. Please listen to the hymn (link at the top of this post).
The opening lines thank God for ‘the years your love has kept and guided, urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way’. They tell how God has been with us through the ups and downs (but overwhelmingly the ups) of our marriage. He has indeed pardoned us when we have sinned against each other. We made it a foundational rule of our marriage, and I am sure we never broke this, that whatever arguments we may have had or offence unintentionally caused, we made up the next day.
God has also, amazingly, provided for us along the way. From affordable accommodation for two charity workers in the ridiculous housing market of London, to an unexpected job offer when I had lost my previous job in 2023, to the friend who last year happened to be passing in his car when Linda collapsed at a bus stop unable to speak. And countless other small instances along the way. Our God is a faithful God.
The second verse gives thanks for the Word of Life, which ‘speaks to our hearts, sets our souls ablaze, teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us’. I am sure the author intended both the written word of the Bible, and the ‘Living Word’ – Jesus Christ. The teachings of Christianity have been foundational to us. Although I was the one who trained as a preacher, Linda was no less avid in her personal study of the Bible, brought its wisdom gently into conversation with many people, and always trusted Jesus as her guide.
The third verse prays for ‘our land in this our generation’, and all its people. In a time of societal upheaval, Linda was always quick to pray for people affected by any kind of trouble. Her politics, like mine (not tied to any one party, though generally progressive and liberal) were about what is best for ordinary people.
The fourth verse prays for the world in all its need, people described as ‘loveless in strength and comfortless in pain’. Linda’s heart was especially pastoral. Her first job was working with small children, and when poor health meant she could not do that, instead she worked for the Education department of Bradford Council. Later, she trained as a Pastoral Auxiliary in the Diocese of Southwark alongside working in safeguarding, and in mid-life studied with the Open University to get a diploma in Health and Social Care (her textbooks on death and bereavement are now helping me!) Her last paid work – again until forced to leave by health problems – was supporting people with learning difficulties.
Alongside that, she was busy volunteering and fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society. She was often a welcomer at our Sunday services, as well as visiting parishioners. The day before the medical incident that led to her death, she took her last Communion at the care home where she and another woman led a service every month. And only hours before leaving home on her last, unfinished journey to a committee meeting, she had been volunteering with the foodbank.
The final verse prays for ourselves. Always ‘others first’, but it is important to ask God for help ourselves. The words ask him for ‘living power’ to put Christ before ourselves as we do his will. And those last lines, ‘Past put behind us, for the future take us, Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone’, were our motto for life. Always looking to the future with Him. I could never sing those words without emotion, even when Linda was with me.
I could write much more. It will take time for me to ‘put the past behind’ – not to forget my wonderful wife, but to learn to live without her constant support. But I pray that Christ will ‘take me for the future, to live for him alone’.
Linda received the Last Rites and died on the feast of the Transfiguration, when we remember Jesus being revealed as the glorious Son of God. He died so that we could share in that glory. Linda Gaye Craven, née Ramsay. 24 March 1965 – 6 August 2026. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.
We remember Linda as a lovely member of the congregation of St Luke’s Eccleshill when I was vicar, and a wonderful Brownie leader, not least for our daughter Damaris. Linda, you did so much good through often challenging circumstances and you never gave up. May your joy in the presence of Christ now be full!