Graham Kendrick has composed a new song, Joy Oh Joy, for Shaftesbury, the national charity supporting children, young people and adults with disabilities.

The song was inspired by two sources: the parable of the feast told by Jesus, and the life of Lord Shaftesbury, who regularly hosted joyful feasts for the people he campaigned for. Graham said he was moved by the generosity and dignity Shaftesbury extended to his guests, and wanted to honour that legacy alongside the charity’s ongoing work.

The message of Joy Oh Joy is one of radical welcome. Its lyrics speak of everyone being invited to step inside and take their place at the Father’s table, including, in Graham’s own words, “the least, the lost, the lonely.”

Shaftesbury created a special version of the song ahead of Graham’s official release later this year. People with and without disabilities came together at recording studios in Dorset, Essex, London and Gateshead to contribute in whatever way was meaningful to them, whether singing, signing, dancing or playing percussion. The recording features Alisha, 18, a student at one of Shaftesbury’s specialist colleges, performing a verse as a soloist, and David, 79, a resident of Shaftesbury supported living accommodation in the North East, who has been with the charity since 1999.

BBC Songs of Praise presenter Pam Rhodes, Vice-President of Shaftesbury, also features in the recording.

Watch the Shaftesbury version of Joy Oh Joy here

The official Graham Kendrick release follows in November.