Church Music

A hymn of praise for general use, but especially at Easter, from John A. Riley set to LASST UNS ERFREUEN. OCP sell the sheet music here. GAB leaves out the second verse, probably to avoid repeating cherubim. They resisted the temptation to get rid of the archaic “Ye watchers”, however.

1.

Ye watchers and ye holy ones,

Bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones,

Raise the glad strain, Alleluia!

Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,

Virtues, archangels, angels’ choirs,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

2.

O higher than the cherubim,

More glorious than the seraphim,

Lead their praises, Alleluia!

O bearer of the eternal Word.

Most gracious, magnify the Lord,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

3.

Respond, ye souls in endless rest,

Ye patriarchs and prophets blest,

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Ye holy Twelve, ye martyrs strong,

All saints triumphant, raise in song,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

4.

O friends, in gladness let us sing,

Celestial anthems echoing,

Alleluia, Alleluia!

To God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit, Three-in-One,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

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

Psalm 62 (McKenna)

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Gifts: Will You Love Me?   (Boniwell) AOV 1/40

Communion: Unless a Grain of Wheat (Farrell) AOV 1/35

Thanksgiving: Sing of the Lord’s Goodness   (Sands) AOV 1/131

Recessional:  Christ be Our Light  (Farrell) AOV 2/3

This song by Millie Reith is no longer used in the form it is in my Guitar Accompaniment Book since “Yahweh” became unusable. The line was changed from “Yahweh is my shepherd now” to “The Lord is the shepherd of my soul” with an extra note inserted so that “the” can be a short note and “Lord” gets the longer “Yah” note.

You can buy the sheet music of the updated version of this song at OCP where the text is in their preview.

My backing is of the original version so has no note for “the” in the refrain.

This is Owen Alstott‘s majestic song for Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday.

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

This is an unusual folky Christmas song by John Michael Talbot. The verses appear impossible for an assembly but the refrain looks manageable. With the descant over the chorus it could be quite the production number.

OCP provide the text in their preview and will sell you the sheet music.

This is a gentle setting of Ubi Caritas by Dan Schutte that uses the “love” verses from 1 Cor 13 in its verses. It is an obvious song for weddings but would find a use as a reflection in other liturgical settings such as Easter Thursday.

The text is provided by OCP in their preview and the sheet music is available to purchase there as well.

This is a four part round for Good Friday and Stations of the Cross. It is by William Billings.

My backing ignores the canon and the fact it should be sung a capella.

When Jesus wept, the falling tear
in mercy flowed beyond all bound.
When Jesus groaned, a trembling fear
seized all the guilty world around.

OCP sell the sheet music here.

I have already blogged this Easter tune here under the tune ROCKINGHAM. GAB uses HAMBURG instead.

The text is by Isaac Watts and the tune by Lowell Mason.

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
The vain things that now charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
the pain and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were ev’ry realm of nature mine,
my gift would still be far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all. 

Entrance: Lift Up Your Hearts (O’Connor) AOV 1/156

Psalm 137 (McKenna)

Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands

Gifts: The Summons   (Maule-Bell) AOV NG 149

Communion: Seed, Scattered and Sown (Feiten) CWB II 592

Thanksgiving: The Fullness of God (Andersen) AOV 2/62

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

This is a an old epiphany song, Quem stella sole pulchrior, by Charles Coffin, translated by John Chandler. It is set to PUER NOBIS, which shares some of the melody of “Hickory Dickory Dock”.

OCP sell the sheet music here.

1 What star is this, with beams so bright,
More lovely than the noonday light?
’Tis sent to announce a newborn King,
Glad tidings of our God to bring.

2 ’Tis now fulfilled what God decreed,
“From Jacob shall a star proceed;”
And lo! the eastern sages stand
To read in heav’n the Lord’s command.

3 The guiding star above is bright;
Within them shines a clearer light,
And leads them on with pow’r benign
To seek the Giver of the sign.

4 O Jesus, while the star of grace
Impels us on to seek your face,
Let not our slothful hearts refuse
The guidance of your light to use.

5 To God the Father, heav’nly Light;
To Christ, revealed in eartly night,
To God the Holy Spirit raise
An endless song of thankful praise!

NB GAB omits the third stanza