Church Music

I’m continuing to look for songs at Willow that were written after the close of the canon (AOV 1, 2, NG) with merit and liturgical uses.

Peter Grant’s song “A Song of Offering” certainly fits that bill for the Procession of the Gifts. It is described at AOV as a simple song written for school masses but, like Michael Mangan’s songs, is by no means only suitable there. I’ve blogged some overly complex songs recently that exclude participation by the assembly and I much prefer a singable memorable tune like Peter’s to hymns that require a choir or a cantor. The final note gave me a choice so I picked the median note. The text is really very challenging as a call to service at any age.

Peter does have a song in CWB II that we started using recently (“Christ Light Shining in the Darkness”) and one in AOV (“Communion Song”). I’ve also blogged his songs “A Christmas Lullaby” and “I Will Follow You”. He also wrote the “Mass for a Pilgrim People”. I think he needs to be regarded as a major Australian liturgical composer alongside Brian Boniwell, Leo Watt, Paul Mason, Amanda McKenna, Monica O’Brien, Gina Ogilvie, Trisha Watts, Michael Mangan etc etc etc.

You can buy the sheet music at Willow Publications. Peter has granted permission for his lyrics to be reproduced here, so sing along with the backing to learn the song.

1. Jesus we offer ourselves to you today;

Our minds, our bodies, our hearts our souls.

2. Take all we are, Lord, all that we offer now,

And make us wholly transformed in you.

Refrain

We want to give ourselves completely as you gave yourself for us;

But our gifts seem so unworthy in the shadow of the cross!

3. Still, Lord, we come to you, bearing our humble gifts:

Bread of our faith in you, wine of our love.

Refrain

Verse 3

Wine of our love… wine of our love.

© 2014 Peter Grant

This fine song of hope from Leon C Roberts based on Psalm 80 would fit Advent and Lent. The refrain is easy enough for the assembly but the interest is in the verses, which have intricate melodies for the cantor.

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

I’ve already blogged many of the “new” 2007 entries in OCP’s Guitar Accompaniment Book so I can skip all the way to another Christopher Walker song. He had assistance with the text from Carmel Somers but the tune is all his, and once again goes into dark interesting places between keys. It is a communion song with the cantor given umpteen extra verses to choose between for pretty much every liturgical possibility.

You can purchase the sheet music at OCP who provide the text in their preview.

This was a new song in 2007 for OCP’s Guitar Accompaniment Book. It is a communion song by Christopher Walker. There are also many extra verses for specific feasts.

The text is fine – you can find it in their preview.

The tune is interesting. It is described thusly:

A fluid harmonic sense with an ever-changing tonal center will appeal to more advanced choirs but the assembly refrain is mostly diatonic, keeping it accessible to all.

… or it is just maybe over fussy. He slides from a G# to an Ab at one point. I understand that they strictly speaking they aren’t the same note, but is the intent to actually pitch them differently. Those with some music theory may wish to school me on this matter.

If you are brave enough buy the sheet music at OCP.

This is a Marian hymn with a text by Genevieve Glen set to TRURO by Charles Burney.

The text is at OCP where the sheet music is for sale. OCP have the song in C rather than the sheet music below in D (thanks be to God).

The Guitar Accompaniment Book (c2005) from OCP is a loose leaf book I purchased second hand. It has updates of new songs from 2006 and 2007. I’ve done those from 2006 that I haven’t blogged from elsewhere, and I have skipped the new psalms and service music to get to the songs that were new to the collection in 2007.

This is a song of hope from Bob Dufford that is based on Psalm 139. The refrain is singable by an assembly but each verse has a different tune and will need a cantor. Annoyingly the sheet music neglects to point out when accidentals return to flats. There is a descant for the last voice. The music suggests the verses go at 58 bpm and the chorus at 54 bpm. I can’t distinguish such fine gradations myself.

OCP provides the text in their preview and can sell you the sheet music.

I’m continuing with selections from the new Willow website that were written since the As One Voice hymnals were printed.

This is a fine gathering song for times when a restrained and dignified entrance is needed. The words are by Monica O’Brien and the tune is by Gina Ogilvie. It would be fine for a reflection or as a thanksgiving song as well.

It’s another tune with lowish notes at the beginning of phrases that doesn’t seem to cause problems.

If you want to use this hymn you can purchase the sheet music at Willow.

I made a backing to sing along to for learning purposes.

1 God of mercy, God of grace,

Come among us, fill this place.

Heal our hurting, mend our wounds.

Come among us with your grace.

2 Pour your love upon us now.

Touch our spirits, make us new.

See our longing, hear our prayer.

Come among us with your grace.

3 Bless this moment, take our hearts.

Use our hands to honour you.

With our voices we will sing.

Come among us with your grace.

© 2012 Gina Oglivie &Monica O’Brien

This is a song by Barbara Bridge based on parts of Psalm 51. She has an ostinato refrain for the assembly and verses for the cantor that are all over the place, so they’ll need to be on the ball. You’ll need to listen to the YouTube clip to get the idea.

The text is at OCP , who would be happy to sell you the sheet music.

I don’t think my backing is useful here – there is bit too much going on. Just listen to the clip.

This rather poetic take on Psalm 23 is by J Driscoll SJ and is set to BROTHER JAMES’ AIR by J L MacBeth Bain. The text has a bit of the Yoda about it but at least it is more than just a paraphrase.

OCP can sell you the sheet music. Godsongs has some background on the hymn.

The tune is really quite nice and can be used as an alternative to CRIMOND for the more usual text for Psalm 23.

The living God, my Shepherd is,
I know no care or need:
He guides me where rich pastures grow,
Along the verdant mead,
Where everyday, by pleasant way,
My hungering soul may feed.

He leads me where cool waters flow,
By rippling stream and rill,
Where I may taste the springs of life,
My thirsting spirit fill;
He near me bides and homeward guides
My vagrant heart and will.

I nothing fear; thou art, O Lord,
With me through night and day,
Intent, with shepherd’s staff and rod,
To guide me when I stray,
And in the fold thou dost uphold
My fainting heart always.

And so through all the length of days,
Thy mercy waits on me,
At last within my Father’s house,
Thy glory I shall see;
Thee ever more will I adore
Through all eternity.

Right tune, other words.

This is Bob Hurd song with a pretty specific focus from the story in John’s gospel, with Psalm 23 interpolated for some reason. I like Hurd’s work and the tune is lovely but the rhymes here border on excruciating, the worse being “terrorize/a blind eye” in the last stanza. It is probably best for a solo performance.

The text is in the preview at OCP where you can purchase the sheet music.