Author Archives: maddg

This song is nearly ninety years old and is our priest’s favourite song.  It is by Thomas O. Chisholm and William M. Runyan and when sung well by an enthusiastic assembly is something special – or to put it another … Continue reading →

Sebastian Temple has set the words of St Francis in this song. The excerpt at AOV shows it can be sung sensitively, but this is a song that can suffer under the hands of the assembly. It is very simple … Continue reading →

This song, also known as “Anna’s Song”, has a gorgeous tune by Robin Mann and some striking lyrics by Norman Habel. Listen to a sample at AOV to get the idea. Robin Mann explains the origin of this strange Christmas … Continue reading →

A Christmas song by Kathy Poelker that is randomly placed here, possibly as a children’s song. We have used it for its calypso lightness and it works well. Lazy guitarists (like me) will do it capo 1. Some uninterested children … Continue reading →

A chant that is what it says by Phil Porter and Elaine Kirkland.  We’ve used it quite a lot over the years and it is a very useful piece, especially when done as the two part round as suggested. Listen … Continue reading →

This is a three part chant written by Cheryl Reid.  The third part is added to the first after the second, if you get my drift. There is an excerpt to listen to at AOV. My backing is just to … Continue reading →

This is a great song by Patricia Lewis and Alister Spencer with an interesting tune and a matching set of words. It is an avian Liturgy of the hours. A sample can be heard at AOV. Refrain Made in God’s … Continue reading →

At least this one is clearly for children, with lots of repetition and fun.  It is by Kathy Chan and the sample at AOV is a lot of fun. My backing is not as calypso as the original. Chorus God … Continue reading →

This is a chant from Arnhem Land, to a traditional tune with words “versified” by D’Arcy Wood. I really don’t know what to make of it, but the suggestion to sing it unaccompanied, as here at AOV, is probably right. … Continue reading →

This is one we have used in first communion services with some success over the years.  It is a simple but powerful song by John Burland and John Jacobs. The excerpt at AOV is suitably reverent. This is a pleasant … Continue reading →