“I Will Choose Christ” by Tom Booth is No 76 in As One Voice: the Next Generation. A lovely song with applications for RCIA and confirmation, but again is more a solo gospel vehicle than a song for the assembly. It has lots of odd timings and gaps and two (count ‘em) key changes. The stated speed of ~94 is a little fast – 84 matches the recording and the feel better. The youtube clip has a reggae version! There are other technically superior performances on youtube but I like their guts and a lot of the clips on youtube have very different and blander lyrics. If you go looking on youtube there is a performance at the crystal cathedral, a black gospel version and a version with children doing actions.
Probable errors
p237 third line second bar – the bass E in the Gm chord is probably on 3rd beat, not the second.
p239 second line, first bar – I don’t think the F is an accidental F# sounds right.
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Refrain
I will choose Christ,
I will choose love,
I choose to serve.
I give my heart,I give my life,
I give my all to you.
Verse 1
How many times must He call my name,
And show to me that He is God.
And as a servant He calls to me:“You must serve too.”
Refrain
Verse 2
Christ my teacher and healer,
Teach my heart and heal my soul.
And as I walk this road with you,
Teach me to love.
Refrain (key change)
Verse 3
And as I look upon your cross,
So must I die with you.
And with the death of my own desires,I shall rise with you.
Refrain x2 (another key change!)
Download MP3 backing: I Will Choose Christ