LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the start of the school / college year

This is a list of hymns / songs for the start of the school or academic year

At this time, many churches hold a blessing service either for all students and pupils, or just for those who are starting at a new school, college or university. Some churches also include teachers and other educators, or their Sunday School classes. This event may be called a "Blessing of the Backpacks" - but this title is not universal.

The list is two sections. Free-to-use hymns are either public domain or copyright-free, meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing. However older hymns specifically about starting school or college are rare. But new beginnings and themes of teaching and learning and the flow of life from one season are more common, and these ideas have been used to guide the suggestions presented here. The second section lists hymns that are or may be still subject to copyright.

Free-use hymns

Another Year is Given

Be Thou my Vision

God be in my Head

Spirit Seeking Light and Beauty

Teach me Thy Way O Lord

Hymns that may still be copyright

All are Welcome - Haugen

As Within the Pillared Temple - Goodman

Be Not Afraid - Dufford

Christ, by whom Twelve Humble Men - Minga

Come Lord Jesus Come - Lundy

Earth and all Stars - Brokering

Father I Place into Your Hands - Hewer

Follow Me Follow Me - Cockett

Galilee Song - Andersen

God of All Learning -Gilette

God of Wisdom Guide the Teachers - Myers

Give me the Eyes to See this Child - Ross

Help us O Lord to Learn - Reid

Here on the Threshold of a New Beginning - Dudley-Smith

How Shall we Speak O God? - Luckhardt

Humbly now we Come Before Thee - Morgan

I Will Lift my Eyes - Alonso

O Christ Wise Teacher by the Sea - Blumenfeld

O God Whose Calls to Serve Thee Find - Waters

O Master Teacher of Mankind - Shackford

O Master Teacher Teach us Now - Buck

O Teacher, Master of the Skill - Reid

One more Step Along the World we Go - Carter

They come to me Alert to Life and Eager - Young

Thine are the Souls O God our Love Would Reach - Lennen

This is a Day of New Beginnings - Wren (not verse 3)

Thou, Lord, whose Comely Strength was Gained - Reid

We Thank You God for Teachers - Gillette