You’ve probably heard it a thousand times in drafty church halls or during a high-budget televised choral special. The melody is haunting, rooted in a folk tradition that feels older than the lyrics themselves. But when you actually sit down and read the In Christ there is no East or West lyrics, you realize this isn't just another dusty hymn. It’s a radical statement of borderless humanity.
Written in 1908, this song was a massive deal for its time. It arrived at the height of the British Empire, a period defined by rigid borders and colonial hierarchies. John Oxenham—the pen name for William Arthur Dunkerley—didn't write it as a simple "feel good" poem. He wrote it for a specific missionary exhibition in London called "The Orient in London." Imagine the scene: thousands of people gathered to look at "exotic" cultures, and then this song hits them with the idea that those geographic and cultural divisions are essentially meaningless.
The Man Behind the Words
John Oxenham wasn't your typical hymn writer. He was a journalist and a novelist first. He had a knack for timing. When he penned the In Christ there is no East or West lyrics, he was tapping into a growing movement of ecumenism. People were tired of the "us versus them" mentality that had dominated the 19th century.
Actually, Oxenham’s daughter, Elsie J. Oxenham, became a pretty famous children's author in her own right. The family was steeped in storytelling. That’s why the hymn feels so narrative. It’s a progression. It starts with a wide-angle lens on the globe and slowly zooms in until it’s about a single "handclasp."
Why the Lyrics Resonated in 1908 (and Why They Still Bite)
The first verse is the one everyone remembers: "In Christ there is no East or West, In Him no South or North; But one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth."
Think about that for a second.
In 1908, the world was obsessed with North and South, East and West. The "East" was something to be conquered or converted. The "West" was the seat of power. By saying there is "no East or West," Oxenham was basically thumbing his nose at the geopolitical reality of his era. It was a gutsy move.
The second verse takes it even further: "In Him shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find; His service is the golden cord close binding all mankind."
👉 See also: Black Red Wing Shoes: Why the Heritage Flex Still Wins in 2026
"Golden cord" is a bit of a Victorian poetic trope, sure. But the sentiment—that service to others is the only thing that actually connects people—remains pretty relevant. It's not about shared politics or shared language. It's about a shared "communion" of action.
The Mystery of the Melody: MCKEE vs. ST. PETER
Most people don't realize the lyrics weren't always paired with the tune we know today. In many American hymnals, the In Christ there is no East or West lyrics are sung to a tune called MCKEE.
MCKEE is fascinating. It’s an African American spiritual melody, originally adapted by Harry T. Burleigh. Burleigh was a powerhouse. He was a student of Antonín Dvořák and played a massive role in bringing spirituals into the classical and liturgical mainstream.
There’s a deep irony here. You have lyrics written by a white British journalist about global unity, set to a melody born from the experience of enslaved people in the American South.
It works. It works because the music carries the weight of the lyrics. When you sing those words to the MCKEE tune, you’re physically participating in the very unity the song describes.
In British traditions, you’re more likely to hear it set to ST. PETER, a tune by Alexander Reinagle. It’s fine. It’s sturdy. But it lacks the soulful, rhythmic pull of MCKEE. Honestly, if you’re looking for the version that hits the hardest, go for the Burleigh arrangement.
The Third Verse Controversy
Hymns change. They get edited. They get "cleaned up" for modern ears.
✨ Don't miss: Finding the Right Word That Starts With AJ for Games and Everyday Writing
One of the original verses of the In Christ there is no East or West lyrics used to read: "Join hands then, brothers of the faith, whate’er your race may be; who serves my Father as a son is surely kin to me."
Naturally, modern hymnals have swapped "brothers" for "members" or "children" to be more inclusive. Some people get annoyed by these changes, claiming it ruins the "original intent." But if the whole point of the song is that there are no barriers, wouldn't gender-neutral language actually be more aligned with Oxenham’s goal?
It’s an interesting debate. Most 21st-century versions now say something like: "Join hands, disciples of the faith, whate’er your race may be; all children of the living God are surely kin to me."
The core message remains: kinship is based on shared values, not bloodlines.
Why Google Discover Loves This Song Every Few Months
You might notice this hymn trending around certain times of the year. World Communion Sunday is a big one. It also pops up during major international crises or peace rallies.
Whenever the world feels particularly divided—whenever the news is full of borders, walls, and "us vs. them" rhetoric—people start searching for the In Christ there is no East or West lyrics.
It’s a digital comfort food. It’s a reminder that the current state of the world isn't the only way things can be.
🔗 Read more: Is there actually a legal age to stay home alone? What parents need to know
Common Misconceptions About the Hymn
- It’s not a Christmas song. People often confuse it with "As with Gladness Men of Old" because of the "East and West" thing, but it’s actually a general "unity" hymn.
- It wasn't written for a church. As mentioned, it was written for a massive exhibition. It was essentially a "theme song" for a global event.
- The "East" isn't just Asia. In the context of 1908, "The Orient" referred to a massive swath of the world including the Middle East and North Africa.
How to Use These Lyrics Today
If you’re a worship leader or just someone who likes choral music, there are a few ways to make this song feel fresh.
- Acoustic Folk Version: Use the MCKEE tune but strip it down to a single guitar or a cello. It highlights the "spiritual" roots of the melody.
- Multilingual Rendition: Since the song is about global unity, try singing one verse in a different language. Spanish, Swahili, or Mandarin versions of these lyrics exist and they are beautiful.
- Contextualize It: Before singing it, mention Harry T. Burleigh. Mention that the music and the lyrics come from two very different worlds that found a way to harmonize.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you want to go deeper into the history of the In Christ there is no East or West lyrics, there are a few things you can do right now.
First, look up Harry T. Burleigh’s other arrangements. He was a pioneer in making sure African American musical traditions weren't lost to history. His work on "Deep River" is equally essential.
Second, compare the different hymnal versions. If you have an old Methodist hymnal and a newer Episcopal one, look at how the lyrics have been tweaked. It’s a fascinating window into how our views on language and inclusion have evolved over the last hundred years.
Finally, listen to a recording by a diverse choir. There’s a version by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir that is technically perfect, but then there are smaller, community-based recordings on YouTube that capture the "golden cord" sentiment much better.
The song isn't just a relic. It’s a challenge. Every time you sing it, you're basically stating that you refuse to let geography define your empathy. In a world that seems more fragmented by the day, that’s a pretty powerful thing to believe in.