Church Music

From the As One Voice digital archive we find this recent song by Erica Marshall. She has written new words to the tune NOI VOGLIAM DIO, an Italian folk song, that has been associated with a text called “We Stand for God”. She explains that we have moved on from the confrontational theology of the old words and kept the verve of the tune but with more acceptable lyrics.

The sheet music is available at As One Voice to purchase.

Sing along with my backing to learn the song:

1 O God of life, we come before you.

We bless your name, we sing your praise.

In ev’ry trial, trouble and turmoil,

You are the shelter of our days.

Refrain

Strengthen and lead us forward.

Guide us to walk in your light.

To bring the Gospel ever closer,

Rejoicing ever in your might.

May we be Christ to all the nations,

The face of love to shine so bright.

2 O god of life, we go before you

To bless your name and sing your praise,

To spread the Word: peace, love and mercy

For all who seek to walk your ways.

Text © 2019 Erica Marshall

This is the old text:

1 We stand for God! and for His Glory,
The Lord supreme and God of all;
Against his foes we raise his standard;
Around the Cross we hear his call.

Strengthen our faith, Redeemer;
Guard us when danger is nigh;
To Thee we pledge our lives and service,
For God we live, for God we’ll die:
To Thee we pledge our lives and service,
For God we live, for God we’ll die.

2 We stand for God! Jesus our master
Has died to save with love untold;
His law divine and truth unchanging
In this our land their place must hold.

3 We stand for God! in ages olden
He placed “the Cross” our stars beside;
O may our land, gracious and golden,
Be faithful to the Crucified.

J.P. O’Daly, O.P., last verse John O’Brien, 1878-1953

Patricia Smith wrote this Eucharistic song that is also suitable for gathering and Gifts. It is from the As One Voice digital archive. With a lot of verses you can pick those that suit the liturgy.

The sheet music can be purchased at As One Voice. There is no musical snippet at the website but I have made a backing to sing along to.

1 Gathered from the nations, gathered in his name,

We are gathered from all peoples, chosen called by name,

We are one by name and nature, the family of God,

We are one in the Lord.

Refrain

The Body of Christ, different names, different faces,

The Body of Christ, different gifts, different graces,

The Body of Christ, we are one in his body, the Body of Christ.

2 Called to be God’s people, called to do his work,

We are prophets, we are teachers, keepers of his Word,

We are made for different service, but always to one Lord.

We are one in his love.

3 Witnesses of courage, witnesses by choice,

Those who pray in silence, those who raise their voice,

Every one a different journey, all following one Way.

We are one in his name.

4 Children of one family, children of the Lord,

We are formed in fired and water, known by deed and word,

We are brothers, we are sisters, in every time and place,

We are one , one in faith.

5 People of the promise, pilgrims on the way,

We are nourished by his Body, nurtured and sustained.

in the breaking and the giving, this sacrifice of love,

We are one, one in Christ.

© 2017 P A Smith

2/10/2023 -Patricia suggested that she didn’t think the style I used was appropriate for her song – the good thing about BIAB is you can always use another style:

I’ll do a couple more songs from the As One Voice digital archive before looking elsewhere.

This is an Erica Marshall song that is meant to be dance like and might work for Preparation of the Gifts.

The sheet music is available to purchase at As One Voice.

Refrain:

Mercy alive in our hearts,
Mercy alive in our bodies
Mercy alive in the stories we share,
Set us dancing new steps of Mercy today.

1 Mercy speaks in many ways, a word, a touch, a smile

Be the face of God you see, be “present” for a while.

2 Sing the song of mercy strong, a faithful healing sound,

Sharing bread our lives we give, in love and joy we’re bound.

3 Justice rising in our soul, truth the song we hear.

Break the silence! Free the poor! Know our God is near!

© 1996 Erica Marshall

This Amanda McKenna song from the As One Voice digital archive might struggle to find a liturgical place (? as a song for reflection or thanksgiving) but is it a great song in the tradition of the mystics of the church. She adapted the text from the writings of St Bonaventure.

I love the tune. The sheet music can be purchased at As One Voice.

Refrain

Christ is the way, Christ is the door.

By Christ we mount, by Christ we are borne.

If you want to understand… (omit after last verse)

1 Ask it of grace not of learning, ask it of desire not understanding.

Ask it of earnest prayer, not of attentive reading.

2 Ask it of the betrayed not the teacher, ask it of God not humankind.

Ask it of darkness not of radiance.

3 Ask it not of light, but of the fire that enflames you

And transports you to God with a burning affection.

This fire is of God Himself, Christ kindles it with the fervour of his passion.

© 2010 Amanda McKenna

This is another of the songs from the As One Voice digital archive that was never included in their collections that I have blogged here before. Marist priest, Kevin Bates does have several songs in AOV 1&2, but this one was only in As One Voice for Kids. While written for children and school liturgies, it would be fine for the Procession of the Gifts.

The sheet music can be purchased at As One Voice. It is listed as “We Live and Love By Your Word”, but the sheet music and the text leaves out the “by”. The sample music there doesn’t help because it is James Maher’s “Alive to Your Love!”

You can use the backing I made to learn the song:

1 O God we hear your story, we listen to your word.

Our lives sing out the news we hear, we live and love your Word.

2 We gather round your table, guests at your holy meal.

We taste the Bread of life and drink the cup your love reveals.

3 As honoured guests we honour you who open wide your heart.

No one of us beyond the reach of love’s amazing heart.

4 We thank you for your welcome, as Jesus feeds our soul.

Each day our thanks will flow as loving lives unfold.

5 The Word that is your story, Word our living Bread.

Will be the gift we bring until our hungry world is fed.

© 2000 Kevin Bates

I’ll see if I can do a few more songs from the digital archive at As One Voice. There are many Willow copyright songs that were never published in their printed collections.

This is a song by Sally Wolf recommended for prayer services but could also be reverent song for sending forth.

The sheet music can be purchased at As One Voice where there is a snippet of the song to listen to. I also made a backing to sing along with to learn the song.

Refrain

Oh Lord, send us out with your love today.

Let us carry your light of peace.

1 Where there is pain, let us bring your comfort.

Where there is sadness, your joy!

2 Where there is wrong, let us bring your justice;

Where there is hunger, your bread!

© 2000 Sally Wolf

This is a song new to us that we will be learning and using over the coming weeks. It is by Bob Hurd and he uses John 13 and 15 for this text. While it is a good match for the Easter week, choosing verses to suit other liturgies concerning discipleship would also be an option.

The sheet music can be purchased at OCP and the text is in their preview.

This might be a good time for a break from blogging for a few weeks.

We usually use the Psalm for the feast day, locally, rather than that for the actual thirteenth week in Ordinary Time.

Entrance: All Are Welcome (Haugen)

Psalm 33 (McKenna)

The Lord set me free from all my fears

Gifts: You Are My Rock (Chinn)

Communion: We Remember (Haugen) AOV 1/81

Thanksgiving: I Give You a New Commandment (Hurd)

Recessional: On Eagles Wings (Joncas) AOV 1/153

Entrance:  Be Not Afraid (Dufford) AOV 1/114

Psalm 106 (McKenna)

Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.

Gifts:  As Gentle As Silence (White) CWB II 580

Communion: Lord, to Whom Shall We Go (Herry) AOV 1/6

Thanksgiving:  I Give You a New Commandment (Hurd)

Recessional:  Strong and Constant  (Andersen) AOV 1/110

Entrance: Canticle of Creation (Watts-O’Brien) AOV NG 20

Psalm 91 (McKenna)

Lord it is good to give thanks to you,

It is good to give thanks to you.

Gifts: We Walk By Faith (Haugen) AOV 1/63

Communion: Gift of Finest Wheat  (Westendorf/Kreutz) CWB II 651

Thanksgiving: I Give You a New Commandment (Hurd)

Recessional: Bring Forth the Kingdom (Haugen) AOV 2/4