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The theology is perfectly alright….but the drama is just too much for most
people! It still shocks!

It was in 1965 that he wrote “When I Needed a Neighbour” for Christian Aid.

The Bible passage upon which this hymn is based is Matthew 25: 35-40:

For I was hungry and you fed me.
I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.
I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.
I was naked, and you gave me clothing.
I was sick, and you cared for me.
I was in prison, and you visited me.

Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord,
when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?
Or thirsty and give you something to drink?
Or a stranger and show you hospitality?
Or naked and give you clothing?
When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’

And the King will say, ‘I will tell you the truth, when you did it to
one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you
were doing it to me!’ (New Living Translation)

When I needed a neighbour were you there were you there?
When I needed a neighbour were you there?

And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
Were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there, were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there? (Chorus)

I was cold, I was naked, were you there, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked, were you there? (Chorus)

When I needed a shelter were you there, were you there?
When I needed a shelter were you there? (Chorus)

When I needed a healer were you there, were you there?
When I needed a healer were you there? (Chorus)

Wherever you travel I’ll be there, I’ll be there,
Wherever you travel I’ll be there.

And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
I’ll be there.

Graham Neads

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