This is another song for Pentecost in Catholic Worship Book II. It is by Christopher Willcock and it is exciting and interesting but I fear of absolutely no use to any assembly I have ever come across.
That is because it is in 7/8 time. That is except for the introduction/interlude that goes 7/8 7/8 4/4 7/8. 7/8 time is just plain nuts.
I’d say it is a choir project or that Willcock did it to win a bet.
I would suggest you go to OCP and listen to this and if you think you can cope buy the sheet music there. The text is in their preview and since CWB II won’t give me chords I got them from OCP to make a backing. 7/8 on BIAB is no picnic.
If it wasn’t obvious already, the inclusion of this song is further evidence that CWB II was never seriously intended for ordinary suburban parishes.
I see you wrote this in 2019, Geoff. Have you revisited it at all?
We’ve been asked to include some more “traditional / officially sanctioned” material in our selections, hence trawling CWB I & II, and Gather Australia.
I came across this and said “what the??!!…” Then I listened to the recording at OCP and was unexpectedly impressed, but I think the percussion made a difference. It reminded me of Ernest Sands’ Sing of the Lord’s Goodness which is 5/4.
I agree, the intro / interlude is weird, and also that it’s a choir piece rather than one for the assembly.
I also agree that CWB II “was never seriously intended for ordinary suburban parishes.”
Sherry
G’Day Sherry
No. This one is beyond me. Willcock is a national treasure but not without challenge.
This YouTube clip shows not only that it is doable, but some people are strong enough to lift CWBII and sing at the same time.
https://youtu.be/Qo87XVKolKc?si=x60bJiTKNLMIapK_
I pray your quest into the traditional and sanctioned is fruitful. Since much of that is public domain there are some excellent resources out there.
LiturgyShare has a lot to offer:
https://liturgyshare.org/
A second hand copy of “Together in Song” is recommended for easy arrangements, including chords, of most hymn tunes.
Both CWB I and II are out of print, which is a shame, but I assume you have copies. I will soon embark on a survey of left over songs from CWB I.
You can even download the Pius X Hymnal – the Australian one – from Trove:
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-173577625/view?partId=nla.obj-173577630#page/n0/mode/1up
I’m looking at the very new and the very old these days and still finding surprises.
cheers
Geoff