Peace is Her Song - Print.

Peace is Her Song:
The life and legacy of hymn writer Shirley Erena Murray

By Anne Manchester

Softcover 338pp 6”x 9”
17 full colour and 21 b/w photos
ISBN 9781991027818
Philip Garside Publishing Ltd (2024)

eBook edition in PDF, ePub and Mobi formats. Order here: 
https://philipgarsidebooks.com/products/peace-is-her-song-ebooks

Short Description:

New Zealand hymn writer Shirley Erena Murray began writing poetry at a young age. She found her niche in later life as a hymn poet, initially to provide her minister husband John Murray with hymns of contemporary relevance to match his progressive theology.

Many of her 400 hymns have been published in hymnals across denominations in North America, Oceania, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Her hymns and the themes she expressed – peace, social justice, human rights, inclusivity, ecology – helped change the way people understood their faith in an increasingly secular world. A woman of warmth and compassion, with a strong sense of her own identity from Aotearoa New Zealand, she is considered one of the most influential international hymn writers of our time. 

Shirley 2009 (Photo: Alastair Murray)

Praise for Peace is Her Song

"…Anne Manchester has done a fine job in documenting a committed life and in representing the wonderfully warm and generous person that was Shirley Murray." – Adrian Skelton in NZ Methodist paper Touchstone Aug 2024.

Read the full review here:
https://hail.to/methodist-church-of-new-zealand/publication/8C0NLiu/article/WJP6IN4

“This biography is grounded in Aotearoa  New Zealand, anchoring Shirley’s hymns in the life and the faith that inspired them. It will ensure the woman who wrote them is remembered as she deserves to be. Shirley's work continues to have a huge impact on the way Christianity is experienced in Aotearoa. She gave us something to sing that captures what shalom is about within the contours of our landscape and our churches.” 
– John Bluck, retired Anglican bishop and writer

“Shirley’s works display the concern she has for people, for peace, and for the planet. It is God’s truth that compels her writing, and we are pleased to be part of her wider ministry.”
– Scott Shorney, Vice President, Hope Publishing Company, United States 

"Anne Manchester presents many rich sources of material on Shirley’s life and legacy. Shirley’s own recollections, together with those of her colleagues and friends, paint a fascinating picture of her emergence as a leading poet of the church in Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.

This book is a fine tribute to a woman who has given us the words and images we need today to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” 
– Hymn writer Marnie Barrell, MNZM, board member of the New Zealand Hymnbook Trust 

Full Description

Step into the life of Shirley Erena Murray, a pioneering hymn writer whose words have touched hearts and inspired minds across the globe. This engaging biography delves into the journey of a woman whose nearly 400 hymns have become a beacon of peace, justice, and hope in worship.

Shirley's hymn-writing journey began in the 1970s, driven by a dual passion: supporting her husband John’s progressive theology and championing the causes of Amnesty International. Frustrated by the lack of contemporary relevance in traditional hymns, she embarked on a mission to create texts that resonated with the modern world. 

Over the next four decades, her hymns found their way into more than 30 major denominational hymnals across North America and more than 140 hymn collections worldwide. They have been translated into numerous languages, including Braille and sign language.

A proud New Zealander, Shirley infused her work with the ethos of her southern hemisphere environment. Her hymns reflect a unique blend of cultural awareness and contemporary issues, including connections to Māori culture and themes of social justice. Through her simple, direct language, Shirley's hymns offer a “jolt of reality,” addressing the pressing concerns of her society and the wider world.

This biography not only highlights Shirley’s hymns but also paints an intimate portrait of her personal and spiritual journey. Her hymns served as a form of spiritual autobiography, reflecting her deep faith and theological stance. Personal anecdotes and reflections from close friends and family reveal a woman of remarkable warmth, compassion, and intelligence. Shirley’s ability to draw people to her, coupled with her supportive nature and enthusiasm, endeared her to all who knew her.

Shirley was a trailblazer in creating inclusive language and imagery in her hymns, embracing all people regardless of gender, ability, or background. Her commitment to inclusivity and social justice is evident in her texts, which address issues like ecological care, human rights, and the search for peace. Her collaboration with musicians and hymn writers worldwide, particularly with Colin Gibson, brought fresh life to the church’s musical heritage, challenging old traditions and creating a new body of work that continues to inspire.

This biography also explores Shirley’s impact on the global stage. Her hymns, celebrated for their ability to connect deeply with diverse audiences, have made her one of the most influential hymn text writers of our time. Filled with personal stories, reflections, and excerpts from Shirley’s own writings, this book offers a vivid and heartfelt tribute to her legacy.

Peace is Her Song is not just a story about a remarkable woman; it is an invitation to reflect on how each of us can contribute to a more just and peaceful world through our own voices and actions. Dive into Shirley’s life and discover the beauty, depth, and transformative power of her hymns.

About the Author

Journalist Anne Manchester began her career working on the Presbyterian and Methodist newspaper Crosslink, and later served as editor of the nursing journal Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand. 

She has published two books for children – Toughen Up, Andrew! and its prequel Andrew Down Under, The story of an immigrant dog – and a memoir, Memory Stick, in 2020.  

Anne is also an actor and director for her local theatre troupe. In 2023, she directed and narrated a photographic tribute and film of Katherine Mansfield’s story At the Bay.

She lives in Eastbourne, across the harbour from Wellington, with her husband Sandy, and near her son James and two grandchildren. 

Contents

Introduction

Part I – Early Life
1 – In the beginning
2 – Growing up
3 – Meeting John Murray
4 – First years together

Part II – Finding Her Voice
5 – Tumult of the ’60s
6 – Parish demands
7 – A centre for radical action
8 – Claiming space for hymn writing

Part III – Publishing in New Zealand and Abroad
9 – Birthing New Zealand hymns, 1979-1993
10 – Restless for more, 1994-2014
11 – Embraced in America
12 – The art of hymn writing I
13 – The art of hymn writing II
14 – Introducing new hymns

Part IV – Beyond Parish Life
15 – From mother to Grandshe
16 – A home of their own
17 – Too many goodbyes
18 – Living without John

Part V – Working with Shirley
19 – An instinctive poet
20 – Liberated from patriarchy
21 – Weighting the love side
22 – Affirming our faith
23 – Meeting of minds
24 – A prophetic voice
25 – Something beautiful for God
26 – In tune with Asia

Part VI – Shirley’s legacy
27 – Mixed responses in New Zealand
28 – The human cost of war

29 – Hymns of special note
‘Where Mountains Rise to Open Skies’
‘Star-Child Earth-Child’
‘Touch the Earth Lightly’
‘Who Is My Mother?’
‘For Everyone Born, A Place at the Table’
‘Lift High the Cross’

Final word

Appendices
1 – ‘Sing for Life and All its Goodness’ – a farewell song for John (Verses 2 and 3)
2 – Eulogy by Colin Gibson
3 – Video renditions of Shirley’s texts by Jim & Jean Strathdee
4 – Himene mō te rā o Anzac
5 – Timeline of Shirley’s life

Acknowledgements
Bibliography, sources, abbreviations and illustrations
Index of Names and Subjects
Index of Hymn Names and First Lines

Front cover image:

White Poppy by Martin Ophuc, Pixabay 

Shirley and her husband John had a lifelong commitment to the White Poppies for Peace movement. This dates back to 1933 and remembers all the casualties of war, promotes peace and commits to finding non-violent solutions to conflict.