Author Archives: maddg

Gather 3rd ed included this TAIZE chant by Jacques Berthier. The chorus is a prayerful mantra that works well on its own, but there are the cantor’s lines to use as well over the ostinato refrain. There are versions in … Continue reading →

Trawling through these collections can turn up some real gems sometimes. This song pairs a typically direct Shirley Erena Murray text to the great tune from Tony Alonso written when he was just a pup. It would be a rousing … Continue reading →

This is an interesting song on the subject of Wisdom with a text by Steven C. Warner set by Leslie Palmer Barnhart. It is based on Ecclesiasticus 51: 13-22 and as a singable hymn a useful alternative to songs like … Continue reading →

Going through collections that contain popular songs to find the ones I don’t know, frequently means finding the songs that haven’t caught on for a good reason. This Marty Haugen song (with help on the text from Susan Briehl) has … Continue reading →

When Willow sold off their physical hymn books I got the last 3 volume Gather 3rd edition for guitar they had. I’ll resume looking for the songs in that collection that have not already been covered here. “Over My Head” … Continue reading →

This is the last of the hymns added by OCP to Breaking Bread in 2019 that I will cover. Some I have done already when noticed on other liturgies posted here, and one was chant so I ruled it out. … Continue reading →

Dan Schutte writes gorgeous melodies that sometimes sound like show tunes. This is a funeral song, or for All Saints, that is none the worse for his flair. It was added to Breaking Bread in 2019 by OCP. He has … Continue reading →

This is a perplexing song from Rick Modlin. The text is fine for a recessional but the tune’s progression through various keys makes you wonder if it won him a bet. A choir may be more comfortable with this, but … Continue reading →

This Barbara Bridge hymn with environmental themes was added to Breaking Bread in 2019 by OCP. It is meant to be a call and response between a cantor and assembly, but there is nothing in the cantor’s line preventing the … Continue reading →

OCP added this traditional country song to Breaking Bread in 2019. It was written by a committee: Sarah Hart, Sarah Kroger, Josh Blakesley and Trey Heffinger. It is an obvious choice for Easter but the sentiments can work in any … Continue reading →