Here’s a new song written by Leigh Newton and myself called “Lay Down Your Palms”. The writing began in Lent 2024 and has finally been finished in Lent 2025. The narrative goes from Palm Sunday to Jesus’ post-resurrection sending of his disciples. So it can either be sung in two parts – verses 1 to 3 in Holy Week and then the whole song on Easter Sunday, or sung during the Easter season prior to Pentecost as a retelling of the Easter story.
We hope to have a basic recording of the song available soon.
Lay Down Your Palms
Lay down your palms upon this ground.
Let loud hosannas cascade ’round.
May peace be hallowed in this hour
in scattered leaves and shattered powers.
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna, Prince of Peace.
Lift up your palms to break this bread.
Let friendship’s wine be freely shared.
Love fill our hearts, though tears be shed
for one betrayed, denied, bereft.
Hosanna, Hosanna,
We remember, Servant Lord.
Spread out, these palms, upon the tree
in suffering hope, love’s agony.
God’s crucified humanity
Deep grace revealed in mystery.
Hosanna, Hosanna,
Have mercy, Suff’ring One.
Raised up, these palms, from empty tomb,
to be reborn, as from the womb,
Though wounded, shining with the light
of heaven’s gift, new earth’s delight.
Hosanna, Hosanna,
Breathe on us, Risen Christ.
Hold out your palms toward this land
with cradled hope in heart and hands
to everyone in need of grace
and life abundant in this place.
Hosanna, Hosanna
Walk with us, Spirit Friend.
Alleluia, alleluia,
Alleluia, Amen.
Word by Craig Mitchell, (c) 2025.