You’ve probably heard it in a drafty sanctuary or seen the lyrics printed on a faded bulletin. In Christ there is no East or West. It’s one of those songs that feels like it has always existed, tucked between the pages of the hymnal like a pressed flower. But honestly? The story behind it is way more complicated than a simple Sunday morning melody. It wasn't written by a monk in the middle ages or a preacher in the deep south. It actually started as part of a theatrical pageant in London back in 1908.
John Oxenham was the pen name for William Arthur Dunkerley. He was a prolific writer, a guy who churned out novels and poems like he was running a marathon. When he wrote the lyrics for "In Christ There Is No East or West," he was contributing to the "Pageant of Darkness and Light." This was a massive missionary exhibit. We're talking thousands of performers. It was meant to celebrate the global reach of the Christian faith at a time when the world was feeling simultaneously smaller and more divided than ever.
The unexpected history of the lyrics
Most people assume the hymn is an American spiritual. It isn't. But it did become famous because of its association with the African American experience. The tune we usually sing today, known as "McKee," was adapted by Harry T. Burleigh. Burleigh was a giant. He was a Black composer and singer who worked closely with Antonín Dvořák. He took a melody from an old spiritual called "The Angels Done Changed My Name" and rearranged it.
That’s where the magic happened.
When you pair Oxenham’s British lyrics about global unity with Burleigh’s soulful, distinctly American melodic structure, you get something that transcends borders. It’s a literal bridge between cultures. It’s not just a song; it’s a demonstration of the very thing it’s preaching. The hymn basically argues that geographic and racial boundaries are social constructs that don't hold weight in a spiritual kingdom.
Is it idealistic? Yeah, probably. But in 1908, and especially during the Civil Rights movement when it gained massive traction, it was a radical statement. To say there is no "South or North" in a country still reeling from the scars of the Civil War was—and still is—a heavy thing to claim.
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Why the message hits different today
We live in an era of hyper-localization and, ironically, intense tribalism. You’d think that after a century, we’d have figured out the "no East or West" part. Instead, we’ve just found new ways to draw lines in the dirt.
The hymn stays relevant because it challenges the idea of "us versus them." It’s not saying that cultures don't exist or that our backgrounds don't matter. That would be boring. Instead, it suggests a "great fellowship of love" that binds the whole wide earth. It’s about a unified identity that doesn’t erase your heritage but places it within a larger context.
Kinda cool, right?
But let’s be real. It’s easy to sing these words in a comfortable pew. It’s a lot harder to actually live like the person sitting across the political or cultural aisle is your "golden cord." The song isn't just a feel-good anthem; it's a critique of how we usually operate. We love our borders. We love our "East" and our "West." We find security in them.
Breaking down the stanzas
The first verse is the one everyone knows by heart. It sets the stage. But the later verses get into the nitty-gritty of what this actually looks like.
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- "In Him shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find." This isn't about agreeing on every little doctrine. It’s about a shared heart.
- "Join hands then, brothers of the faith, whate’er your race may be." In many modern hymnals, you’ll see "brothers" changed to "children" or "people" to be more inclusive.
- "Who serves my Father as a son is surely kin to me." This is the kicker. It redefines family. It says your DNA or your nationality isn't the primary factor in your kinship.
The controversy of "In Christ There Is No East or West"
Wait, how can a hymn about unity be controversial?
Well, some critics argue that the song promotes a kind of "universalism" that ignores the distinctiveness of different religions or cultures. Others feel that it has been used by colonial powers to paper over the very real harm done in the name of mission work. If you’re telling people "there is no East or West" while you’re actively colonizing the "East," the lyrics can feel a bit hollow.
Historians like Dr. Carlton R. Young, who edited several hymnals, have pointed out that the song’s popularity in white mainline churches often didn't translate into actual racial integration. It’s a classic case of the music moving faster than the people.
Then there’s the musical side. Some traditionalists didn't like the "McKee" tune because of its roots in spirituals. They wanted something more "European." Thankfully, that perspective has mostly faded, and the Burleigh arrangement is now the standard because it just fits the soul of the text so much better than the alternatives.
How to actually apply these themes
If you're looking to take the message of In Christ there is no East or West beyond just humming the tune, it requires some work. It’s about a shift in perspective.
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First, look at your own "borders." Who are the people you’ve subconsciously decided are "too far East" or "too far West" for you to connect with? It might be a political group, a specific demographic, or even just that one neighbor you don't understand.
Second, recognize the history. Understanding that this song was a collaboration—written by a white British man and arranged by a Black American man—adds a layer of depth. It shows that unity isn't the absence of difference, but the presence of collaboration.
Actionable steps for a more "borderless" life
- Diversify your input. If your news, music, and social circles all look and think exactly like you, you’re living in a self-imposed "East" or "West." Intentionally seek out creators and thinkers from different backgrounds.
- Practice radical hospitality. The hymn talks about a "great fellowship." In practical terms, that means opening your table to people who don't share your exact worldview.
- Research the "McKee" tune. Listen to different versions of the hymn. Hear how a gospel choir sings it versus a cathedral choir. Notice how the same truth carries different weights depending on the voice behind it.
- Audit your "kinship." Re-evaluate how you define your community. Is it based on convenience and similarity, or is it based on the "golden cord" of shared humanity and faith?
The hymn isn't a relic. It’s a challenge. Every time it’s sung, it’s a reminder that the world is bigger than our backyard and that our spiritual identity should, theoretically, make us the most inclusive people on the planet. Whether we live up to that is another story entirely, but the song at least gives us the map to get there.
Stop treating the lyrics as a sentimental platitude. Treat them as a manifesto. If there truly is no East or West, then the walls we build are just illusions we’ve decided to believe in. Breaking them down starts with acknowledging they shouldn't be there in the first place.