Church Music

I am really enjoying the songs of lament, which shows my temprament I suppose.

This text by Thomas H. Troeger is uncommonly intelligent – sung poetry for a change. This setting by Sally Ann Morris, MOSHIER, fits it well.

The text is on page ten of this Hymn Society publication. The sheet music is found in several GIA collections apart from Gather, but I can’t find it for sale at GIA. I hope it hasn’t disappeared by accident because of a similarity to a David Haas song.

It is used in a reflection here and the sheet music is here.

This is another fine song of lament from Gather 3rd ed., this time with a text by Ruth Duck set here by Michael Mahler. She based the text on Psalm 10 conveying a plea for justice where none is found.

GIA sell the sheet music and the text is in their preview.

I’m in a section of Gather 3rd ed. of songs for lament, so that is very timely. Mary Louise Bringle wrote the words and Lori True the music.

This is a song for times of grief, that has two vocal lines, which could be cantor and assembly, but might be better as sections of a choir. The second and third verses would suit Lent well.

The sheet music can be purchased at GIA, where the text is in their preview.

I put the melody lines at opposite ends of the stereo spectrum.

Thomas Troeger’s text is like a game in the verse, just listing all the possible names for God you can think of. The refrain calms down a bit.

Paul Inwood’s intricate setting is a joy if you can get over the irregular timing in the chorus. It has a hint of THAXTED at times.

You can find the text at Hope Publications. I can’t find sheet music for Paul Inwood’s tune BIRINUS anywhere but it is in Gather Comprehensive as well as Gather 3rd.ed.

My blogging continues with Gather 3rd ed., scooping up the songs that I haven’t already come across.

This is a simple song by Liam Lawton that works as a mantra or a background to spoken prayer. If you don’t like simple there is a descant.

This is another one that GIA only has a hand bell arrangement that I can find. If you don’t have Gather it is in this very inexpensive collection from Liam Lawton. The text is at Hymnary and is copyright. This is amazing as “Lord, hear our prayer” is the first, second and fourth line and “Lord, in your mercy” is the third line and that is it.

This gospel style song is by Michael Mahler. There is an awful lot of syncopation going on here that might make it a challenge for many assemblies, even if they are comfortable with genre. It would be a lovely solo piece though, maybe for a second rite of reconciliation.

I’m am blogging the guitar version of Gather 3rd edition and usually the tempo is left off for some reason. It is present on this piece of music, which only goes to show it should be on all the others.

GIA sell the sheet music and the text is in their preview.

Some of the subtleties in the arrangement aren’t possible in BIAB but I tried.

This is a lovely setting of Psalm 25 by Lori True. The verses are clearly for a cantor and even the refrain has a interesting and tricky tune that will test most assemblies.

GIA has the the sheet music for sale and the text in their preview.

This is a Carol E. Brown song on the theme of healing and reconciliation. It is certainly singable by an assembly and well worthy of consideration.

GIA sell the sheet music and provide the text in the preview there.

This is a lovely song based on Romans 8:35, 38 with a text by Mary Louise Bringle and set by Sally Ann Morris. That said, I’m not sure a tune that alternates 6/4 with 5/4 except when it doesn’t is as singable as you would like for an assembly.

You can purchase the sheet music at GIA where the text is in their preview.

Making a backing on BIAB was no picnic with these time signatures.

This song in Gather 3rd ed. has a text inspired by Exodus 15 by Susan Briehl and set by Marty Haugen. It is a song of thanksgiving and consolation.

GIA has the sheet music and the text is in their preview.