I don’t think I have ever run across this Lenten hymn before.
It is a translation of a C6 text attributed to St Gregory the Great. Godsongs goes into its background to confirm the translation is PD, and here deLuca sites the translation as being from the “Primer” of 1706.
In this hymnal it is set to BABYLON’S STREAMS by Thomas Campion.
This is the text as in NLPHB. Archaic English seems to suit to translate ancient Latin but the sight rhymes jar a bit.
I appear to have made up chords for this backing using fake BIAB organ.
1 Hear, O thou bounteous Maker, hear Our humble vows with gracious ear: Turn not thy saving face away Whilst on this solemn fast we pray.
2 Great searcher of our hearts, to thee We here deplore our misery; Behold, we to thy mercies fly, Do thou thy healing grace apply.
3 Great are our sins, O Lord, but thou Canst pardon more than we can do; May our defects, like shadows, raise The beauty and the life of grace.
4 May fasts extinguish in our will The fuel and desire of ill, And thus our souls, from fetters free, May only thirst and follow thee.
5 Grant, O most sacred Trinity, One undivided Unity, That abstinence may here improve Our claim to reign with thee above.
To learn to sing a song it helps to hear it sung by by someone with a normal voice.
John de Luca’s interaction with the folk mass repetoire was one of the reasons I wanted to cover his New Living Parish Hymn Book so competely.
This is his take on Ray Repp‘s, “Hear, O Lord” and he has certainly changed it both musically and lyrically.
I can’t find any sheet music on line – all the links from my previous post appear dead and OCP only have an MP3 to sell you. Godsongs notes the old collections it is found in, but they would need to be obtained second hand. If you use sites like Scribd they have copies.
Assuming the music I found back in 2014 reflected the original and changing the key to D as used here, de Luca has once again usefully tarted up the folk arrangement:
The words may have seemed too personal or unsuited to liturgy because other versions of the text are out there. With a refrain that is very influenced by the psalms it is no surprise that revised verses would also be inspired there. I found these verse lyrics by David Lauria:
1 For the Lord is my light and strength, so whom have I to fear?
He watches o’er my life below, in him alone I trust.
2 There is a river leading to the city God had made
Though waters crash and mountains roar the walls shall stand untouched.
3 Come and see the works of the Lord, exalt his name on high!
Though nations cry and kingdoms fall his voice brings peace to all.
John de Luca also wiped the verses and replace them with his paraphrase of Psalm 129. It is certainly a common enough folk trope to write your own lyrics to an older tune.
I don’t think his first verse works anymore because “Sweet Jesus” has become a profanity, but the rest is fine.
1 From the depths I call to you, sweet Jesus, hear my cry.
Oh, let your ears be ever keen to hear me when I sigh:
2 If the Lord should mark our guilt, what creature would survive?
But God to us his mercy shows, and fallen souls revive.
3 So my soul waits for the Lord, no longer so forlorn.
My soul is longing for the Lord as watchmen wait the dawn.
4 For the Lord is merciful, on him we do rely;
His people, Israel, lifted up from failure to on high.
5 Glory now to God be given, the Father and the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Gift of Love, for ever Three in One.
More Gelineau psalm goodness, this time Psalm 90 (91).
Again, NLPHB uses the original Grail text due to its time of publication.
There are a choice of two Antiphons:
1 My refuge, my stronghold, My God in whom I trust! (music by Anthony Gregory Murray)
2 Call upon the Lord and he will hear you. (music by Joseph Gelineau)
This backing is for Antiphon 2.
For those with the Australian Hymn Book, it is number 96, and there is another antiphon with music by Murray:
His angels shall keep me in safety, no evil shall I fear.
This psalm is, of course, the source of Michael Joncas’s timeless hymn. Now that I rarely choose non-Australian hymns, it seems ages since I sang it. I gather in America, it is so associated with funerals as to be difficult to use in a normal liturgy. While I have joked about this being the “Yoohoo” song, it is certainly moving and very nice when sung well.
This is such a powerful psalm is can even be recited:
Getting back to the New Living Parish Hymn Book, a had resolved to do every hymn come what may, but this one is a bit much.
It is Joseph Gelineau’s setting of Psalm 50 (51). Nothing wrong with that, but with the date of publication, the original Grail verses are used. I also have the version in Gather 3 which has revised Grail and needs to put extra music in some verses to cover the amendments. There are ten verses, upon which I refuse to attempt a metrical conversion.
Having refused that, here is a backing for the Antiphon:
Have mercy, Lord, cleanse me from all my sins.
Hymnary have a preview of the sheet music from Catholic Book of Worship III.
They do say sheet music will be available, but it appears not to have been done, so we will have to be content with the chords and their enthusiasm.
VERSE 1 I was down and out, thought that all hope was lost I was searching in the wrong places, but then I felt real love I knelt before the Lord said ‘show me what to do’ and
TAG I saw the light
VERSE 2 Sometimes I find it hard to get some sleep When the noises in my head hit way too deep They try to steal, Your peace from me But peace will only come when I surrender all to You Cause’ my heart is always set upon Your faithfulness
TAG
VERSE 3 Walking round’ one morning, heavy with my sin. Lost in the darkness, yeah, I don’t know where I’d been. My knees hit the ground, I spoke to Jesus Christ, I said, “what do you want from me, in this uncertain life?” He said, “Son I want your trust, open your eyes”.
TAG
VERSE 4 Overwhelmed and confused, didn’t know what to do Afraid I’m not worthy of His love but He healed my heart Showed me His way His grace day to day
TAG
VERSE 5 Trying to be a faithful disciple Praying night and day, and heading to Mass on Sunday It was like I saw God for the first time Want more of this to last a lifetime But then I trusted in His promises, and I gave my life to Him
TAG
OUTRO x8 Saw the light, saw the light We saw the light
2025 Proclaim Lismore Wildfire Allan – Blunn – Kama – Pereira Pereira – Pratt – Varney All rights reserved by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools
The song was written by Evronia Allan, Eliza Blunn, Ashlinn de Dassel, Rachael Kama, Alex Pereira, Daniel Pereira & Laurie Pratt.
The supporting material including chords and lesson plans are at their site.
CHORUS I will hope in the Lord I won’t grow weary I’ll renew my strength in You give me the grace To soar like an eagle I will run to You
VERSE 1 Every valley shall be lifted Every mountain, hill be made low Hidden in the wilderness Your voice cries out that I’m not alone Oh
CHORUS x2
VERSE 2 Your tender voice, it comforts me Your glory brings us all together Though the ground withers, the flowers fade, Your word, O God, will stand forever Ooh
CHORUS x2 last time – ‘I will run’
BRIDGE x2 No longer bound (we will walk) Not afraid (we will run) We will soar
CHORUS x3 1st time – acapella
2025 Proclaim Lismore Wildfire Allan – Blunn – de Dassel – Kama – Pereira – Pereira – Pratt All rights reserved by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools
This a charming song of the Annunciation from the young people of Proclaim Wildfire Lismore. It was written by Evronia Allan, Eliza Blunn, Ashlinn de Dassel, Jaz Letchford, Daniel Pereira & Laurie Pratt.
VERSE 1 I was frightened and confused When the angel spoke the news That I would be a mother soon The Son of God within my womb He said ‘The Lord is with thee’ But how could it be That my God has chosen me?
CHORUS So I say ‘yes’ to You ‘Cause I trust in what You’ll do I say yes to You Cause I know Your word is true Even when it’s hard to see Your plan for me Your servant I will be I say ‘yes’ to You ‘Cause I trust in what You’ll do
TAG I say ‘yes’ Hmm I say ‘yes’ Hmm
VERSE 2 The angel said I’m full of grace And that the Lord is in this space So I rose and went with haste To Elizabeth’s place She told me I am blessed As the child within her leapt To fulfil what’s coming next
CHORUS
TAG
BRIDGE My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in my God He has been mindful of my humble state Generations will call me blessed
CHORUS x2 2025 Proclaim Lismore Wildfire TAG x2 Allan – Blunn – de Dassel – Letchford – Pereira – Pratt All rights reserved by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools
Even more explicitly than the other songs in this collection is urges gratitude and optimism.
This quiet, thoughtful song was written by Ashlinn de Dassel, Jaz Letchford, Daniel Pereira & Laurie Pratt.
The chords and lesson plans are available at their site.
VERSE 1 Lift up you hands and surrender to Jesus Forget all your worries and stress Don’t let the sunrise be wasted each morning Lay all your burdens to rest
CHORUS And be grateful For the love He brings And be grateful He gives us everything
VERSE 2 Lift up your hands and speak the name Jesus Remove all the doubts in your mind Before every sunset let go of your anger Leave all your ego behind
CHORUS x2
BRIDGE x3 In every season In the air that I’m breathing In all that surrounds me God, You are good. God You are good
OUTRO x2 (second time soft) I will be grateful I will be grateful I will be grateful God, You are good. God, You are good
2025 Proclaim Lismore Wildfire de Dassel – Letchford- Pereira – Pratt All rights reserved by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools
This song by Daniel Pereira & Laurie Prattis is from Proclaim Lismore Wildfire‘s 2025 album, It’s Good to be Alive.
It is a fine ballad for personal reflection, devotions and school use. The chords and lesson plans are their site.
They are a most inspiring group of young people.
CHORUS I am nothing without You I am nothing without You I am nothing without You I am nothing without You VERSE 1 Here in this space I fall at Your feet And in my surrender I accept my defeat Finally I’ve reliased Only You know the plan For the rest of my life I lay it all in Your hands CHORUS x2 VERSE 2 I’m just a fool I’ll never understand How much You love me And how much You care So how can I thank You For all that You’ve done For all that You’re doing All the victories You’ve won? CHORUS x2 BRIDGE 1 x2 You are all I need You’re my everything BRIDGE 2 You are all I need (I am nothing without You) You’re my everything (I am nothing without You) CHORUS x2 OUTRO x2 You are all I need You’re my everything 2025 Proclaim Lismore Wildfire Pereira – Pratt All rights reserved by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic School
This is another song from Proclaim Lismore Wildfire’s 2025 album, It’s Good to Be Alive.
It was written by Evronia Allan & Eliza Blunn and is a very lovely song by talented young people.
Get all the supporting material including chords and lesson plans at their site. It finds it’s place for personal reflection and in schools. I’m not sure if it would work liturgically – maybe as a reflection where the readings are reflected in the stories mentioned.
I suspect we need to live in the stories of our tradition and this song looks at that from a young person’s optimistic perspective looking forward. That is humbling for a grumpy old man who looks back too much.
VERSE 1 You parted the waters You made a way through the sea No longer slaves Cause You set Israel free You provided manna as they sleep And You did it all for me VERSE 2 You chose a child In a war where armies flee He had no armour, But a giant he did defeat It was a victory that no King could see But You did it all for me CHORUS Storyteller, You are You’ve written miracles and victories, I can’t wait to see what You’ll make of me Will You write my story too? VERSE 3 You went to Capernaum Met a man who was in need His servant was suffering And You listened to his plea You healed him cause faith was the key And You did it all for me VERSE 4 You took the disciples Made your way across the sea But a storm was raging And the boat was filled with fear But Lord, You told the wind to cease And You did it all for me And You did it all for me CHORUS BRIDGE x2 If I let You hold the pen If I let you write the words Then I know You’ll write me in Your glory If I let You set the scene If I let You turn the page Jesus, You’re the author of my story VERSE 5 You were persecuted On the hill at Calvary Tortured and beaten And they nailed You to a tree But that didn’t stop Your victory And You did it all for me You did it all for me! CHORUS OUTRO Will You write my story too? Will You write my story too?
2025 Proclaim Lismore Wildfire Allan – Blunn All rights reserved by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools
I've worked my way through the As One Voice books and other collections making backings on Band in a Box to help me (& you if you're interested) learn new songs for church. This is aimed at churches and musicians that own the collections but haven't exploited them fully. If you don't have them they are certainly worth buying. This site is educational, nonprofit and designed to enhance the commercial prospects of songwriters. This site does not distribute copyrighted sheet music.
Disclaimer
Any opinions expressed here are personal views and not the responsibility of any Church.
All music backings posted are created by myself and the intention is for them to be used to learn the songs. If any copyright holder wishes me to cease publicising and promoting their wares and directing people to where sheet music can be legally purchased please let me know.
Mason’s “Mass of Glory and Praise”
To access my backings for Paul Mason's mass go to Feb 2011 in the archive.
