The first song in this collection is a great example of John de Luca adding a bit a musicality to basic songs.
I have covered this Gregory Norbet song when doing the Praise to God Parish Hymn book, where their editors stuck to his original arrangement. This is still available from the Priory.
de Luca has markedly enhanced the arrangement as you can see from his chord substitions:
I’ve used de Luca’s chords for a new backing:
Refrain:
A child is born for us today, alleluia.
He is our Saviour and our God, alleluia.
- Let our hearts resound with joy
and sing a song of gladness
for the Lord our brother is come
and we are redeemed.- Tell the world of our good news:
Jesus the Christ is among us,
and his presence we celebrate
offering peace and our joy to all.- Christ is born, the Christ has come!
Sing everyone: Alleluia!
Caught in wonder at this birth
we worship God become man for us.- Glory to God, born today
of the Virgin Mary,
in a cave at Bethlehem.
Is there room in our lives for him?
The fifth verse was removed for this hymnal, but Chris W gave us all eight, when I last blogged this:
His name shall be Emmanuel:
God who lives among us.
Angels sing and shepherds cry:
born is the savior our Lord.The Magi went and worshipped him
with gifts so precious and costly.
In the fervour of their faith
they sought the child who is Lord and king.The Lord will make integrity
and peace to grow in our times,
a covenant he offers us.
Lasting joy will be ours to share.Arise, shine out, Jerusalem!
The glory of Yahweh has come to you,
Lift up your eyes and look around!
Radiant is your salvation.
The original: