Hymn for Strength was commissioned by the Houston Chamber Choir and written for a combined Healthcare Choir and Houston Chamber Choir led by M J Gallop for Premiere on November 6th, 2021 at South Main Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. With words by Outspoken Bean, Houston’s Poet Laureate, and music by J. Todd Frazier, Director of Houston Methodist Hospital’s Center for Performing Arts Medicine, the premiere is dedicated to healthcare employees, caregivers and first responders fighting COVID in our community and around the world. Furthermore, the piece is written to be used in support of any challenge facing a community where individuals are called upon to be strong and to give of themselves to care for one another. The music is in the form of a Hymn where the five stanzas are each followed by the returning chorus “I can’t go without your love”, meaning, during times of crisis, we can gain strength from each other’s love and from our faith in order to serve:

The strength within you glows The strength within me shows I can’t go without your love

Making it through is not a lone act Darkness looms, may I hold your hand I can’t go without your love

Walls built on land, they cover bridges Your breakthrough is my breakthrough I can’t go without your love

My internal power is not just for me My power, it powers the sick
I can’t go without your Love

My power, it powers the caregivers My brother, My sister, For Unity
I can’t go without your Love