Church Music

I’m continuing with Frank Andersen songs from the collection Everything I Possess that I haven’t already covered elsewhere.

This is based on Col 1 and sounds like a fast John Denver song. It may have a use as a recessional.

Refrain

I never fail to remember you in prayer giving thanks to my God for you.

Ever since the time I heard of your faith in Jesus Christ my Lord.

In Jesus Christ my Lord. In Jesus Christ my Lord.

1
We ask that God will give to you
the fullest knowledge of God’s will
so you will lead the kind of life
which the Lord expects of you.

2
May you have within your heart the strength
to bear your circumstances with joy.
To thank the Father for that gift
and to live within that Light.

© Frank Andersen

This is a jaunty, folky Frank Andersen song based on Psalm 91 (92). The songs from this collection appear to be either very slow or very fast.

Chorus

It is good to give thanks to the Lord
To make music to your name, Oh Most High
To proclaim your love in the morning
And your truth in the night
With the murmuring sound of instruments, I sing

1 Planted in the house of my Lord
Growing in the courts of my God
Still bearing fruits when I am old and worn
Prove of the justice of my God

2 When I see the wonders you have done
Then my heart is truly filled with joy
Oh Lord, how deep are your designs in me
The foolish person cannot understand

3 Those who love will flourish like the palm
and grow like the cedar firm and tall
the justice of the Lord will be my saving song
in Him, my rock there is no wrong

© Frank Andersen

Getting back to the Frank Andersen album, Everything I Possess, I find this song, “The Hand of the Lord Himself”. Like most of the songs I am doing now it is only available in the folio edition of Scripture in Song available here. The title varies depending on the source +/- “himself”.

This is a very slow song that appears largely based on Psalms including 42, 62 and 121. Frank recommended a cantor for the verses but they sound fine for an assembly – especially of basses. It would work well for the Procession of the Gifts.

Refrain

The hand of the Lord feeds us with this bread.

It answers all our needs… Blessed be the name of God.

1

Like the deer that yearns for running waters my heart longs for you.

My soul is thirsting for you. When can I see your face.

2

You alone my hope and my salvation – all my trust in you.

I have always called on you. My portion you have been.

3

So I lift my eyes up to the heavens, from whence shall come my hope?

Trust in the Lord at all times and call upon his name.

© Frank Andersen

Entrance:  Gather Us In (Haugen) AOV 1/12

Psalm 97 (McKenna)

The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Gifts:  Blessed be Our God  (McKenna) AOV NG 13

Communion:  Song of the Body of Christ  (Haas) AOV 1/27

Thanksgiving:  Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) AOV 2/32

Recessional:  Hearts on Fire  (Mangan) AOV NG 62

This song by Frank Andersen would have to have the necessary substution for Yahweh before it can be sung. Unfortunately the “Yah” is the long note so “the Lord” won’t work – how about “our God”.

It is a pleasant ballad with a text based on Gen 28:15-17.

Chorus:
Truly Yahweh was in this place
And I never knew,
Truly Yahweh was in this place
And I never knew.

1 Be sure that I am with you,
There wherever you go!
And I will bring you back to your own land,
As I have promised you.

2 For I shall be your Father
You shall be truly mine.
And deep within your heart my home shall be,
For I have chosen you.

© Frank Andersen

I’m working through the songs from Frank Andersen’s Everything I Possess collection that I haven’t already covered. That means the “hits” like “Galilee Song” and “Springs of Salvation” won’t need doing.

This one is a very slow ballad based on 1 John 1.

The melody line edition only has two verses but there is a third in the full arrangement book. It would be difficult to sustain such a long slow song.

Refrain

Something that we have seen with our own eyes.

Something that we have touched with our own hands.

What we have heard we give to you so that you may be deep in our God.

1

This is what we have heard from God and the message we announce to you:

God is Light, truly light! There can be no darkness in God!

2

We place our faith in what we know in the love God has towards ourselves.

God is love and he lives in anyone who lives in love.

3

No-one has ever seen our God but as long as we can live in love

God will live deep in us. His love will be complete in us.

© Frank Andersen

Interrupting the Frank Andersen songs is this one mentioned by Ryan. It is by Jeremy Young and based on material from Matthew, John, 2 Timothy and the Psalms.

While it has an obvious use as a funeral song, it would make a fine recessional.

The sheet music can be purchased at GIA where the text is in their sample pages. I have a copy in Gather Comprehensive 2nd ed. 762.

This was the original title song of this Frank Andersen collection until the hit song was revealed and it was changed to “The Galilee Song”. He based it on Phil 3:8-11.

His notes say it could be a communion reflection or for ordination or similar liturgies.

Refrain

All I want is to know and love my Lord

and to feel in my heart the power of Jesus love.

1

To share in his suffering like him in his death;

and live within the hope. We rise with him.

2

To achieve this I throw away everything I possess!

All treasure is worth the price of knowing him.

© Frank Andersen

Entrance: Gather As One  (McKenna) AOV NG 48

Psalm 16 (McKenna)

Lord, when your glory appears my joy will be full.

Gifts: Shepherd Me O God (Haugen) AOV 1/33

Communion: In the Breaking of the Bread  (Hurd) AOV 1/58

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

Recessional: Glory in the Cross (Schutte) GAB 172 (Easter text)

Tom Hogdsom recommended this Frank Andersen song recently. I didn’t know it, but his recommendation reminded me that I haven’t covered Father Andersen’s album Everything I Possess (aka The Galilee Song), so I’ll try to cover the songs that I haven’t already covered.

This song is based on Psalm 120 (121) and he suggests an additional use with the refrain being a response to a spoken psalm.

I have a copy in the small melody line edition of Scripture in Song that is out of print and also an old copy of Erica Marshall’s arrangements with all the commentary, which appears to be still available here. Only three songs from Everything I Possess are available to purchase for download and this isn’t one of them.

I agree with Tom that this is a very singable hymn of praise. My only criticism is that the Eucharistic verse appended to the psalm paraphrase, switches to the voice of God/Christ from the voice of Psalmist , which is somewhat jarring.

Chorus:
My help shall come from the Lord who made the heavens,
I will lift my eyes to the mountains,
My hope is the Lord.

Sing to the Lord, loud be your song,
All peoples praise our God,
Whose love is fruitful and strong.

Turn to the Lord, give God your cares,
God’s spirit in your heart
Knows every hope and prayer.

Come, eat the bread given for you,
Drink my wine and live in me:
I will make my home in you .

© Frank Andersen