While remaining with Australian songwriters, there will now be major change in style from emmanuelworship to Michael Herry. I have blogged many songs by Marist Brother Michael Herry, but I haven’t even scratched the surface of his output. Put his name in the search engine to see what songs I have already covered.
His songs are all available on the Marist Music website, which can be a bit confusing. The best entry site is here where you can access all his albums. Apart from his usual hymns there are songs for Eucharist for every week in ordinary time and psalms for all occasions. All are now free to download. The other options is just googling to take you past the home page straight to the album you want.
Herry’s work is biblical, liturgical and singable… and vast. They are usually in a folk style but with memorably clever music.
I will start with the collection God of Surprises and this song, ” Behold the Flowers”, but I doubt I’ll live long enough to cover everything.
It is based on Matt 6:24-24 and Luke 12: 16-21. This one does have a fair old range but the cunning tune is worth the effort if you can stretch high and low enough.
The sheet music is here where you can also listen to the song. As usual I will make BIAB backings you can sing along with to to learn the hymns.
1 Behold the flowers in the field;
For all their beauty they neither toil nor spin,
Yet the Father clothes them in crimson and gold,
Their grace beyond compare.
Refrain
So set your hearts on the kingdom first; your Father knows your needs.
With simple trust, walk hand in hand, God’s children, such as these.
2 For know that life means more than food.
So, too, your body means surely more than clothes.
Raise your eyes to heaven; where birds flying free,
Have food from God’s own hand.
3 Beware the lure of bigger barns;
And all false promises and dreams that melt away.
Taking staff, and sandals, and a song in your heart,
Walk lightly on the earth.
ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry fms