I’m still ploughing through Voices As One Volume 2 and since I’ve already blogged Rita Baloche’s lovely “Flowing River” here, I can carry on to John Angotti’s prayer.
Firstly, why “thee”. Secondly, why have five verses with the same chord progression with each having fiddly changes to the melody line. This is on top of triplets, varying syncopations, etc etc. It basically makes this a solo prayer.
The sheet music can be purchased at WLP where the text is in their sample.
This hymnal seems to be mistitled! I wish publishers would proactively seek hymns that are accessible by the average congregation. It seems to me the whole concept of active participation is being challenged at the moment. The conservatives want us to use the propers instead of hymns (congregational antiphon with cantor/choir psalm verses) while too much new material is published, like this song, Hillsong style, without much thought of congregational involvement. While not really practical for the communion procession, there’s nothing like a singing assembly with loud voices, on-key or not, all singing as one.
Going off topic, is there any chance of you blogging the multitude of Mass settings published locally? Perhaps Willow might supply them to you on a promotional basis if you’re on good terms with them!