In my survey of songs from Australia’s original Catholic Worship Book, I am looking at songs I haven’t already covered from other collections. I am therefore coming across songs that have slipped out of use or were too traditional for the repetoire of the churches I have played at. Since I have already done CWB II, they are also the ones that were not selected for the newer collection.
This is a confirmation song based in part on Psalm 133, according to Google’s AI (eckk). The text is by Scottish congregational minister and academic John Brownlow Geyer. It is here set to Colin Mawby‘s STAFFORD PLACE.
I could not find any source for this sheet music even though it is from an ICEL resource. Picking useful songs from Great Britain made sense to the editors of CWB, but it makes it harder to track resources down all these years later.
(4/8/25: It is actually available from GIA in ICEL’s, Resource Collection of Hymns and Service Music for the Liturgy.)
It looks like I made up some very basic chords for this one.
1 How good and pleasant that we live by power that only God can give.
Our arms are ready to embrace the sons and daughters of God’s grace.
2 With oil of gladness God anoints the chosen servants he appoints:
His Holy Spirit comes in peace, and wisdom, truth, and joy increase.
3 In times of doubt, Lord, be their guide; in times of strength, be at their side:
To those they meet let them impart the faithful goodness of your heart.
4 Send out your servants, God most high, to speak good news no wealth can buy;
Let them return to sing your praise and tell the splendour of your ways.