Church Music

This is the title track from John Burland‘s most recent collection Into the World. It is by John Burland and Phillipe Marc -Anquetil.

It is an inspirational song for school graduations, but I wonder if it would be OK as a general recessional. I’m glad that these occasions are properly celebrated these days and young peoples’ transitions are supported in song.

The sheet music can be purchased at his site. The tune goes fairly high but since it is a situation for a choir, soloist or teacher to sing, you should get away with it.

My backing is inspired by his version. I did not have to transcribe all his piano fills, just the little run you hear first in the intro – the rest is BIAB piano. The BIAB drumming is worth a listen for the delicate cymbal work.

1 I remember just like yesterday,

All those times when we used to say,

I will always be there for you,

Standing here beside you, calling out your name.

Chorus

Now the time has come to be on our way.

We have walked as one through the night and day,

But things don’t last forever,

We’ll find the strength to take the light… into the world.

2 To make a difference in the world,

To raise your voice so it can be heard.

We made a vow now we won’t stand back

For the dreams of tomorrow, where the best is yet to come.

Chorus

Bridge

Out into the world we’ll raise our voice.

Out into the world we’ll make a choice.

Out into the world we’ll bring God’s light.

Out into the world, we’ll let it shine.

Chorus x2

… into the world.

© 2022 John Burland and Phillipe Marc-Anquetil.

This is John Burland‘s setting of the Beatitudes from his recent collection, Into the World.

You can buy the sheet music at his website.

This is a lovely, gentle, swaying 6/8 hymn that builds to a joyous bridge. I think it goes too high and would at least take it down from A to G myself. I’m not sure how to fix the second line of verse three, but “Blessed are those who are treated unjust,” isn’t right – “unjustly” has to be made to fit somehow. The verses are the scripture references but the chorus and bridge are original words.

My backing is in the original key, however. I could have changed it to 3/4 but 6/8 is more fun and is always Irish in BIAB.

1 Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.

Blessed are all those that mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.

Chorus

Blessed are you, blessed are you.

When you stand in love and speak as one, blessed are you.

2 Blessed are all those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Blessed are those who are merciful, for they will be shown God’s mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God’s face.

Chorus

Bridge

Come rejoice and be glad for the Kingdom of heaven is yours.

Come rejoice and be glad for the Kingdom of heaven is yours.

3 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be children of God.

Blessed are those who are treated unjust, as they live and love in God’s way.

Chorus

Chorus

© 2022 John Burland

I’m going to have a look at John Burland‘s latest collection, Into the World.

In Australia, the most vibrant section of the Catholic music “industry”, remains the school market and the songwriters who started there and then became more relevant generally. For years there was the Holy Trinity of Michael Mangan, Andrew Chinn and John Burland and now there are Patricia Smith and Gen Bryant as well. It is the only sector of Catholic music in Australia, apart from perhaps Cathedral music in the major cities, that isn’t completely amateur. While they started by concentrating on young people and the school market, much of their repertoire is now for everyone.

This album is in a melodic praise and worship style, but with songs for particular liturgical needs, that are definitely designed for parish use as well as schools. When you listen to his versions on Spotify and Youtube, you will note that his production values are most professional.

The opening track was written by John Burland, Philippe-Marc Anquetil, and Stephen Leiweke. This is obviously a song for Pentecost and about the Spirit. The sheet music can be purchased at his site. When he sings, “send me higher” he really means it, so I would be lazy and bring it down from G to F then play capo 3. I left it in the original key for my backing though.

Chorus

Holy Spirit set my heart on fire, give me strength and take me higher.

Holy Spirit set my heart on fire and let it burn.

1 Holy Spirit, come. I want to know God’s love.

I’m standing here. (Holy Spirit breath on me.)

Let your will be done.

Chorus

2 Holy Spirit, come. Unite your church.

Lord lead us out (All together we go.)

To every nation of the world.

Chorus

Bridge x2

In a world needing rebirth, Holy Spirit burn in me.

Come renew the face of the earth, Holy Spirit burn.

Chorus x2

… and let it burn, let it burn.

© 2022 John Burland, Philippe-Marc Anquetil, Stephen Leiweke.

This is the last song in Michael Herry’s collection, Dare to Dream. It is a Marian hymn with chanted verses and a metrical refrain. The text is written by Tricia Walsh and Michael Herry, with Herry providing the music. “Yahweh” will need to be substituted.

The sheet music is free from the Marists, but they don’t have a music track to listen to this time.

My backing isn’t much help as BIAB hates chant. I would ignore the verses in my backing and chant properly, but the refrain is metrical , making this more usable for learning purposes.

1 Maiden Mary in whom the Lord did great things,

Hail Mary full of grace.

Your “yes” gave life to God’s Holy Word;

Woman of faith, hope and love.

Refrain

Praise my soul the Lord our God;

Rejoice in the name of Yahweh [our God].

What marvels the Lord has worked in me.

2 In your dark night on the hill of Calvary,

Numbly you stood, drinking at the well of grief.

The myst’ry of the cross you bore,

Mother of all weighed down in sorrow.

3 His friends in fear gathered in an empty room

As dark and cold as their doubting hearts,

And in their midst you prayed and you waited still.

Woman of faith who dared to believe.

4 The Spirit came in the sign of wind and fire,

Rousing hearts with firm resolve.

You shared our joy at the Church’s birth,

Mother of faith hope and love.

5 Mother of Christ, you who pondered the ways of God.

Lead us on and guide us safely home.

Lest we forget your final words to us.

“Go now and do whatever he tells you.”

© 1991 Michael Herry

This is a chant for the Feast of Pentecost by Michael Herry from the collection Dare to Dream.

There is an ostinato refrain for choir or assembly over which five tenor solos are the verses. The sheet music is free at the Marists, but there is no recording of this one. I like his ambition here.

My backing has the parts at opposite ends of the stereo spectrum.

Ostinato

Come, Spirit of God, enkindle in our hearts the fires of love (x2)

1 Holy Spirit of God, breathing over the seas at the dawn of creation.

2 Holy Spirit of God, filling the whole universe with the presence of God.

3 Holy Spirit of God, bringing God’s life to the womb of the Virgin Mary.

4 Holy Spirit of God, descending in tongues of fire on the apostles.

5 Holy Spirit of God, come and shine forth in our hearts with your glorious light.

© 1993 Michael Herry

This is a gathering song from Michael Herry’s collection Dare to Dream. Once again, the text is by Tricia Walsh.

The sheet music is free from the Marists. You can hear their version at their site as well.

I made two backings:

1 Little by little the dream tales hold; Spirit stirs a mem’ry bold.

Breaking open turning round, cocoon unfolds the dance begins.

Arms stretch out across the world to gather, hold and heal.

A heart opens to the myst’ry of love and enters the pain of the poor.

Refrain

Give voice to the silence, shatter the fear.

Shout out with your lives the Lord is here.

Proclaim in the darkness a vict’ry won.

Your life a light to the world, a light to the world.

2 Life in God, sunk deep in truth, wellspring of hope in a hopeless land.

Symbol of peace amidst despair, Psalm for God sung strong and loud.

Standing with those in chains today, bringing the Word to life.

Open to dreams that lead the way to freedom for one and all.

3 Life poured out on crown of pain, now safe in God’s embrace.

The truth of love calls loud for peace, Your song is sung a dance set free.

Again God’s power over death is seen. You gave in love, you dared to dream,

And now a rainbow of grace and hope lays claim on our hearts of stone.

© 1993 Michael Herry

This is a folk song about Saint Mary Mackillop but written before she was beatified. It is another one of Michael Herry’s Dare to Dream songs with lyrics by Tricia Walsh. By coincidence, today is her feast day.

The sheet music is freely available from the Marists and you can hear their version there as well.

BIAB does simple folk well.

WOMAN FOR TODAY
1 What did you see young Mary, as you
Rode the plains with windswept hair?
Rough bush huts and children,
Their poverty, their despair.
What did you hear gentle Mary,
as the crimson sunrise birthed a new day?

Refrain
Mary your voice calls down the years;
A message of hope it brings.
Lead simple lives of service;
Depend on God in all things.

2 What was your dream, brave Mary,
As you saw beyond the storms of the day?
A land of plenty, shared by all,
With schools to light the way.
Who joined you on your journey
As your dream took root in barren land?
All who came to hear the call,
Brave hearts and helping hands.
Mary your voice calls down the years;
A message of hope it brings.
Lead simple lives of service;
Depend on God in all things.

3 We honour you, blessed Mary.
Your way of life shaped our history.
Living faith and stirring hope
For justice and dignity.
Woman of courage; spirit free;
Faith tested and proved like gold.
Heroic in vision, word and deed,
Your life a treasure we hold.
Mary your voice calls down the years;
A message of hope it brings.
Lead simple lives of service;
Depend on God in all things.

© 1993 Michael Herry

The next song in Michael Herry’s collection Dare to Dream is a bit confusing.

It is a fine setting of the psalm for the second week of Easter Year A by the well known Australian setter of psalms, Jenny O’Brien. I gather her psalm collections are out of print and hard to find. There are some in collections for specific liturgies at Adelaide’s Office for Worship, and audio tracks, without sheet music, for responses for Years B and C. (only three from year A) It would be nice if the sheet music was put up Herry style.

The question is, what is it doing in Herry’s collection? Maybe the Marist Singers just liked singing it – you can hear them do it at the Marist’s site. The sheet music with the text is freely available there as well.

This is a chorus by Michael Herry from his collection Dare to Dream.

The sheet music is free from the Marists. You can hear their version at their site.

It is a contemplative sung prayer. The text is by Tricia Walsh.

I heard a country lilt and it wound up in my backing.

You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts won’t rest ’till in thee.

You have made us for yourself, O Lord, when shall we see your face?

© 1993 Michael Herry

Michael Herry’s song “Designer Label” has a subtitle, “with apologies to Country Road” an Australian clothing store.

It is from his collection Dare to Dream, and is designed as a Recessional. The sheet music is free from the Marists.

You can listen to their version at their site but I don’t think the Marist Singers are the best for a country flavoured song. The second and third verse share a different tune to the first verse.

Refrain

You are God’s chosen race, his saints, he loves you,

So be clothed in compassion, gentleness and truth,

Be kind and humble of heart.

1 Bear with one another, forgive each other when a quarrel starts.

Over all these gifts put on love.

2 May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts,

Because for this you were called.

Called together as parts of on body.

3 Let the message of Christ in all its richness find a home in you.

Teach and advise each other,

And with thanks in your hearts sing him praise.

© 1991 Michael Herry

Since the title is meant to be a joke, here’s another one. His song reminded me a little of Steve Martin’s song his grandmother sang to him.