Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Riddle and Mystery: A Program on the Big Questions for Grade 6

Alternate Activity 2: Song - O What a Piece of Work Are We

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Copy(ies) of the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, Singing the Living Tradition

Preparation for Activity

  • Decide how best to present the song "O What a Piece of Work Are We," Hymn 313 in Singing the Living Tradition-reading the words, singing together or playing a recording. If you wish, invite a musical volunteer to help lead this activity.
  • Obtain copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook.

Description of Activity

Say that the hymns in Singing the Living Tradition are organized according to the Unitarian Universalist Sources they represent. Hymns 286 through 356 all draw from humanism in some way. Hymn 313 is called "O What a Piece of Work Are We." It celebrates humans and every breath we take.

Introduce your group to the song in a manner comfortable for you-just reading the words, if you like.

Ask for the group's reactions. Do participants like the song? Do they agree with what the words say-that there is no need to look for miracles outside nature when things in nature, like we humans, are so wonderful? Note that the words help answer today's Big Question by saying that humans, if they have room "to move and grow," can do wonderful things. That is a Humanist idea.