Church Music

I’m nearly through Michael Herry‘s “God of Surprises” collection and this one is for 32B, based on Mark 12:38-40.

This is a good example of Herry’s intricate arrangements – there is an awful lot of music in this very short song. The sheet music is free at Marist Music.

Two small coins: with these, I offer you my life, O God.

Two small coins: with these, I offer all I have.

Keep my heart pure in the giving and in all that I do in your name,

Lest my wave’ring heart so easily be deceived.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

If you need a song for the story of the prodigal son, Michael Herry has written a text for you. He set it to his arrangement of PICARDY. It is from Luke 15:1-3,11-32 and is specific to Lent 4C and 24C.

Marist Music will give you the sheet music for free.

1 From afar the old man saw him, walking slowly down the road.

Rising up he ran to embrace him, calling out for garland and robe.

My son my beloved son was lost, but now is found:

Festive joy let now abound.

2 Father I am no longer worthy to be called your faithful son.

Treat me as a hired servant, one to see your bidding be done.

My son, my beloved son, here sandals for your feet.

Enter now and join in the feast.

ⓒ 2009 Michael Herry

This is a simple, lovely prayer in times when consolation is needed from Michael Herry. It is based on Luke 10:38-42 and he recommends it for the 16th week in Ordinary Time.

He set it to FINLANDIA and I was just going to use my previous version of that tune but his chords are better so I redid it. The sheet music is free at Marist Music.

Be still my child, and know I walk beside you.

Be still my child, and know my love for you.

Here at my feet, be still and humbly listen,

And in God’s time, all things will be complete.

Here at my feet, breathe deeply of my Spirit,

And come to know I’m ever by your side.

The next song is the chant “Lord, We Come to Your Table”, which is well known and loved and I have blogged here.

So I am up to a Michael Herry song to be used when gathering for prayer and worship based on Matt 18:20. Not content with a perfectly adequate song he has written a counter melody to add to the occasion.

The sheet music is free at Marist Music.

In my backing the countermelody kicks in the third time round.

Where two or three are gathered in my name,

Know I am with you, I am with you.

Where two or three are gathered in my name,

Know I am there, to be with you.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

This is a Michael Herry song is for 20B and is based on John 6:51-61, but is obviously generally Eucharistic.

The sheet music is free at Marist music.

I am the living bread come down from heaven.

Those who eat this bread will live forever.

And the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

Continuing with Michael Herry‘s short songs for specific liturgies from “God of Surprises”, is this song for the feeding of the five thousand based on Matt 14:13-21. By the way I skipped his delightful and useful “Vene Sancte” because I have already blogged it many years ago here – highly recommended.

He packs a lot of interesting music into this little song with a key change back and forth from verse to chorus.

The sheet music is free at Marist Music, where you can hear his take on his song.

Do not turn my people away;

Rather give them food yourselves;

Know our God is full of compassion

And through your hands the poor will be fed.

Then Jesus took the loaves and fishes;

He blessed, broke and gave to his apostles.

And behold the hungry were fed.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

Michael Herry has lots of songs specific to certain liturgies. This one, based on John 14:15-16 is suitable for Easter 6 ABC and the Season of Pentecost.

Like all these hymns, the sheet music is free at Marist Music, where you can hear his version.

This is a 12/8 song meant to have “a strong rhythmical lilt”. Now I know you aren’t going to use the 12/8 time signature as an excuse to do a delta blues version, but BIAB doesn’t know that.

So if you love me, keep my commandments,

And I with the Father will dwell with you.

Then will the Father send you the Spirit,

To teach you and remind you of all I have said.

Refrain

Spirit of Jesus, gift of the Father,

Fill the hearts of all people with the fire of your love.

Spirit of Jesus, gift of the Father,

Fill the hearts of all people with the fire of your love.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

Michael Herry wrote this one for Easter 2B but it would perhaps work as a recessional mantra. I doubt it would fit in a Mass at the kiss of peace without mucking up the liturgical flow, so despite the obvious application I wouldn’t go there.

The free sheet music is at Marist Music, in the collection, “God of Surprises,” as is a streaming version of him singing it. I have noticed that in Herry’s texts the aspect changes from the voice of God/Jesus to the voice of the assembly, and he credits the singers with the intelligence to note when that happens for themselves.

Parts of the tune sound to me like a mashup of “It’s a Most Unusual Day” and “The Band played Waltzing Matilda”, if such a thing is possible.

Peace be with you my friends.

Peace be with you my friends.

As the Father has sent me, so I’m sending you.

Go now and live in my name.

Jesus, my Lord and my God.

Jesus, my Lord and my God.

Deepen the faith of your life in me;

New life now risen in you.

ⓒ Michael Herry 2008

I feel an excuse to post Rosemary Clooney singing:

… and June Tabor.

Lenny Smith has asked for some extra love for this nice song he wrote that I have already blogged here.

If it’s been sung for the Pope that’s good enough for another look, and I made a somewhat more restrained backing this time. It looks very popular based on all the varied YouTube takes on his tune.

The text is here.

You can purchase the sheet music at musicnotes and sheetmusicplus.

I’m working through Michael Herry‘s songs in “God of Surprises” for specific liturgies. This one is based on John 21:1-19 and is for EASTER 3C.

Marist Music provide the sheet music for free and you can hear it sung there too.

1 Is it you Lord, upon the shore?

Is it you Lord, your life restored?

2 Are you hungry? Then come and eat.

Doubt no longer; I bring you peace.

3 If you love me, them feed my lambs.

If you love me, become my hands.

4 Hands of welcome to those in need.

Hands of healing to all who bleed.

5 Risen Jesus, live your life in me.

Risen Jesus, my Saviour be.

ⓒ Michael Herry 2008