Church Music

I started having a look at all the songs that David MacGregor has posted on his website earlier in the year, but I didn’t even get through all of the “C”s, so I’ll continue where I left off. David MacGregor is a Uniting church minister from Brisbane who has been writing songs for a couple of decades.

This is a very recent song with a text based on Isaiah 61:1-2 and Psalm 34:17-18. It sounds a bit like Pope Francis asking shepherds to smell of the sheep – acknowledging a call to be Christ to those lost. It rocks along nicely. There is a spot in the third and tenth bar of the verse where I had to change the chord to G. MacGregor is either more adventurous than I am (not hard) or he forgot to put the G chords in.

You can see what I am mean when you look at the sheet music he has freely provided. The lyrics provided on his website don’t match those in the sheet music so I have changed them to match.

He has providing a backing track, which didn’t stop me making my own, with a lot of BIAB bongos.

Spirit, you’ve anointed me.
Spirit God, you’re calling me.
Spirit, you’re empowering me,
To grace the broken-hearted.

Freedom for captives, bound.
Comfort for saddened down.
Beauty for ashes found.
Gladness ‘stead of mourning.
Hope for those who’re falling.
Close to … the broken-hearted.

Lord, you hear the call
of your people when they fall.
You rescue … in times of trouble.
Lord you come ever close
To the broken-hearted, lost.
You save when spirits crushed and breaking.

Spirit you’ve anointed me.
Spirit God, you’re calling me.
Spirit, you’re empowering me
To grace the broken-hearted

Freedom for captives, bound.
Comfort for saddened, down.
Beauty for ashes found.
Gladness ‘stead of mourning.
Hope for those who’re falling.
Close to … the broken-hearted.
Close to … the broken-hearted.

David MacGregor ©️ 2023 Willow Publishing

This is an unusual song from John Burland and Gary Pinto, which is the last song in John Burland’s recent collection Into the World.

This is another very professional collection of songs from the songwriter, John Burland. The sheet music of the whole collection can be purchased for download at his site for $A20, which is, for overseas buyers, getting less all the time. The sheet music has detailed piano arrangements and he always tweaks verse melodies and lengths to keep things from becoming dull. His recorded versions are all class.

This one is a song for personal reflection that has uses for Reconciliation and Lent. The chorus and pre-chorus are very singable, but I think the verses need a cantor. That piece of the melody is fiddly and I’m not sure an assembly can do the the long “mmms” in the verses.

I took my backing in a very different direction to his arrangement. His syncopation lends itself to a gentle Latin beat, so I was channeling Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 here.

1 Father I’ve turned away from you again somehow… Mmm.

‘Cause I’ve done wrong falling far from grace… Mmm.

‘Cause I’ve been lost hoping someday to be found… Mmm.

But now I long to to see your mercy face to face… Mmm.

Prechorus

Now I’m coming back to you and I want to start anew.

Chorus

O my Jesus free me from my sin.

Take me hold me cleanse me from within.

Unworthy as I am, before you I will stand.

I’m coming home.

2 When darkness covered me I was lost on my own… Mmm.

Now the tears are rolling down as I head home… Mmm.

Prechorus

Now I’m coming back to you and I want to start anew.

Chorus

O my Jesus free me from my sin.

Take me hold me cleanse me from within.

Unworthy as I am, before you I will stand, to make me whole again.

I’m coming home.

© 2020 John Burland and Gary Pinto

John Burland kicks of his version of the Magnificat with some harmony ‘ah’s and an “Ave Maria”. It is from his collection Into the World, for which you can buy the sheet music at his site.

The text is the scripture and the music is by Burland. I am thinking of a choir and soloist/cantor for this, as the melody is rather intricate and someone has to do the harmonies.

My backing uses BIAB voices harmonising in the background and the melody picked out on piano to make it easy to follow.

Ah, Ah.

Ave Maria, Ave Maria

Chorus

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;

For he has looked with favour on his lowly servant,

And from this day all generations will call me blessed.

The Almighty has done great things for me, holy is his name.

1 He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

And lifted up the lowly.

Chorus

2 He has filled the hungry with good things

And the rich sent away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,

For he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers

To Abraham and his children forever.

Chorus

Luke 1:46-56 New Catholic Bible

This is a wedding song from John Burland‘s latest album Into the World.

It is more broadly applicable than usual, as it has nothing that makes it specifically Catholic or Christian. In a Mass it would best fit as a reflection.

The sheet music is available as part the collection for a reasonable low price at his website.

It is in the key D#m which has six sharps (oh dear) and is a solo vehicle as it goes very high (F#). I suppose it could stand to come to Bm at least.

My BIAB backing can’t match his slick production but could be used to learn the song.

1 I’ve waited so long praying for a love so strong

And someone who could understand what I’ve been going through.

Someone who could love me, someone who could hold me just like you,

Never knowing you were there waiting to be loved.

I was searching just for you.

Chorus

You are the one my heart beats for, you are the one who I adore.

It’s the love I need forever, the love I need always.

Cause you are the one my hearts beats for.

You are the one who’s love I’m sure is the love I need.

I am yours… You are the one my heart beats for.

2 You’re here beside me, for the rest of my life,

Standing together now as husband and wife.

Building our tomorrows, sharing all our dreams as we go.

Chorus

Bridge

I was waiting here to find you, never knowing you were there.

Waiting to be loved I was searching just for you

Chorus

You are the one my hearts beats for.

© 2022 John Burland

This is another sung prayer from John Burland‘s latest album, Into the World. He wrote this one with Steven Leiweke.

This one has an interesting tune with a slow descending passages in the verses that stand out. It is set in F# of all keys (capo 4 in D for me), which BIAB dislikes but can do. I should note that Burland frequently varies the verses to keep you interested and does it again here.

It would be great for Lent.

The sheet music can be purchased cheaply with the whole collection at his website.

Chorus

Lord shine your light on me today.

Reveal to me the path that I might see.

Lord shine your light on me today.

Reveal to me the path that I might see.

To hear your voice within to show your face again.

1 In the times I turned away and I almost lost my way,

In the times you’ve shown your grace.

Lord hear my prayer.

Chorus

2 In the times you’ll carry me, and give me the strength to be,

In the times I’ll hold you close.

For you always hear me call, and you’ll never let me fall.

You surround me in your peace.

Lord hear my prayer.

Chorus

…to hear your voice within to show your face again.

© 2022 John Burland and Stephen Leiweke

This song from John Burland‘s most recent collection, Into the World, was written by Burland, Phillipe-Marc Anquetil and Stephen Leiweke. The subscript says it is based on the life of Carlos Acutis.

The simple lyrics make this suitable for schools, especially if the life of Acutis was being studied, but don’t preclude more general use. The text would suit use for Eucharist.

The sheet music can be purchased with the whole collection at his site.

I made a backing as usual to sing along with, to help learning the song.

Chorus

Not me but God, I’m living with Jesus in my life.

Not me but God, I’m living with Jesus in my life.

Where do I look to find true meaning in my life,

Not me but God.

1 Living with Jesus, united, united with him.

Living for Jesus, not things that don’t please him.

Living in Jesus, for I know Christ lives in me, in me.

Chorus

2 Receiving Jesus, in love, to be like him.

Following Jesus, following in his ways.

Sharing Jesus, so all can see God’s grace, God’s grace.

Chorus

Bridge

Happiness is looking towards God.

It’s no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Chorus.

© 2022 John Burland, Phillip-Marc Anquetil, Stephen Leiweke

This is a lovely sung prayer from John Burland‘s latest release, Into the World. It is written by Burland and Philippe-Marc Anquetil, with a text based on John 17:25-26. Coming after “Rise Up” it shows his mastery of many styles.

I just noticed that the hyphen in Anquetil’s name gets moved around in this collection, but I think “Philippe-Marc” is correct.

The sheet music can be purchased very cheaply for the whole album at his site.

My backing is in the original key if you want to sing along.

Chorus

Father let me know you. Father let me know you.

Father let me know you. I open my heart to your love

Rpt Chorus

1 God of love before time began,

God three in one praised in every land.

Be with me through all my days,

Come walk with me in love always.

To let me live, let me love,

Give me strength for this road I’m on,

To let me live, let me love in your way.

Chorus

2 God of hope in times of despair,

God who hears our cries in ev’ry prayer.

When shadows fall your are my light.

Walk with me through darkest night.

To let me live, let me love,

Give me strength for this road I’m on,

To let me live, let me love in your way.

Chorus x2

© 2022 John Burland and Phillipe-Marc Anquetil

This song was written for the students and staff of Sydney Catholic schools to assist their journey to the recent World Youth Day in Portugal. John Burland wrote the words based on Luke 1:38-39. Burland and Phillipe-Marc Anquetil wrote the music.

I would be picky and change the lyric to living “as the Body of Christ”. For the right assembly this could be used for gathering or sending forth.

It is also suitable for jumping up and down to. The recording below is as usual very well produced but feels just a little polite. I suspect it is a banger live. The sheet music can be purchased at John Burland’s site.

My backing is just BIAB dance music.

Intro

Don’t hold back, don’t hold back, yeah.

Don’t hold back. Don’t hold back. x3

Chorus

Rise up and don’t hold back, we come on a journey of hope,

Lighting the flame that’s in our hearts.

It’s in faith and love we can start.

Rise up and don’t hold back, so rise up and don’t hold back.

1 Fed by God’s Word and the gift of Eucharist

We come before you, all nations of the earth.

Loving and living in the Body of Christ,

Called to bring Him to all the world.

Chorus

2 Mary rose with joy, said, “Let God’s will be done.”

She answered God’s call, in faith and hope and love.

Now we’re gathered in Your name,

Called to here to walk as one and bring Christ to all the world.

Chorus

Bridge

We go out into the world as a witness to God’s love.

We go out into the world as a witness to God’s love.

Breakdown

Don’t hold back, don’t hold back x4

Chorus

© 2022 John Burland and Phillipe-Marc Anquetil

This is the title track from John Burland‘s most recent collection Into the World. It is by John Burland and Phillipe Marc -Anquetil.

It is an inspirational song for school graduations, but I wonder if it would be OK as a general recessional. I’m glad that these occasions are properly celebrated these days and young peoples’ transitions are supported in song.

The sheet music can be purchased at his site. The tune goes fairly high but since it is a situation for a choir, soloist or teacher to sing, you should get away with it.

My backing is inspired by his version. I did not have to transcribe all his piano fills, just the little run you hear first in the intro – the rest is BIAB piano. The BIAB drumming is worth a listen for the delicate cymbal work.

1 I remember just like yesterday,

All those times when we used to say,

I will always be there for you,

Standing here beside you, calling out your name.

Chorus

Now the time has come to be on our way.

We have walked as one through the night and day,

But things don’t last forever,

We’ll find the strength to take the light… into the world.

2 To make a difference in the world,

To raise your voice so it can be heard.

We made a vow now we won’t stand back

For the dreams of tomorrow, where the best is yet to come.

Chorus

Bridge

Out into the world we’ll raise our voice.

Out into the world we’ll make a choice.

Out into the world we’ll bring God’s light.

Out into the world, we’ll let it shine.

Chorus x2

… into the world.

© 2022 John Burland and Phillipe Marc-Anquetil.

This is John Burland‘s setting of the Beatitudes from his recent collection, Into the World.

You can buy the sheet music at his website.

This is a lovely, gentle, swaying 6/8 hymn that builds to a joyous bridge. I think it goes too high and would at least take it down from A to G myself. I’m not sure how to fix the second line of verse three, but “Blessed are those who are treated unjust,” isn’t right – “unjustly” has to be made to fit somehow. The verses are the scripture references but the chorus and bridge are original words.

My backing is in the original key, however. I could have changed it to 3/4 but 6/8 is more fun and is always Irish in BIAB.

1 Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.

Blessed are all those that mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.

Chorus

Blessed are you, blessed are you.

When you stand in love and speak as one, blessed are you.

2 Blessed are all those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Blessed are those who are merciful, for they will be shown God’s mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God’s face.

Chorus

Bridge

Come rejoice and be glad for the Kingdom of heaven is yours.

Come rejoice and be glad for the Kingdom of heaven is yours.

3 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be children of God.

Blessed are those who are treated unjust, as they live and love in God’s way.

Chorus

Chorus

© 2022 John Burland