Church Music

This is a sincere sung pray, inspired by Psalm 5, and written by Dolly McGaughey, from the Torres Strait. I should have mentioned by now that the fine arrangements are by Lindsay Scandrett.

The songs I have looked at so far of hers look to be suitable as Taize style chants. When you listen to her voice at Willow, where you can get the sheet music, you will feel peace.

I’ve really enjoyed making backings for these songs:

1 I pray to you, O Lord.

You hear my voice in the morning.

At sunrise I offer my prayer,

And wait for your answer.

I pray to you, O Lord.

You hear my voice in the morning.

At sunrise I offer my prayer,

And wait for your answer.

2 I opened the door for you,

And let you into my heart.

In the stillness of your presence,

I wait for your answer.

I pray to you, O Lord.

You hear my voice in the morning.

At sunrise I offer my prayer,

And wait for your answer.

Coda

I wait for your answer.

I wait for your answer.

© 2019 Dolly McGaughey

This is a song of praise from Dolly McGaughey. While not specifically mentioned it suggests Christmas to me.

As with all her songs, I recommend you listen to her singing it at Willow, where the sheet music can be purchased.

Then you can sing along with my backing to learn it.

I heard voices coming from afar, as if I were in a dream.

They were chanting away, singing a beautiful song.

Praising the Lord.

Praising the Lord.

Praising the Lord.

They were praising him.

(Rpt all)

Praising the Lord.

Praising the Lord.

Praising the Lord.

They were praising him.

They were praising him.

They were praising him.

© 2020 Dolly McGaughey

Dolly on climate change:

This is a lovely reflection on the person of Jesus from Dolly McGaughey.

Listen to her singing the song at Willow, where you can purchase the sheet music.

I did a simple backing:

… and then I noticed the syncopation, so I jazzed up the chords and the rhythm:

Simple is better.

This is the time when we reflect.

We think of Jesus and his life on earth.

He is the one we need, he’s never far away.

He is the door we seek to eternity.

That time again when we reflect.

It’s all a mystery, his death and victory.

He paid the price for us, not just me and you.

He died to save us all, loving Saviour.

He is the one we need, he’s never far away.

He is the door we seek to eternity.

He is the door we seek to eternity.

© 2017 Dolly McGaughey

This is another impressive Dolly McGaughey song for Gifts and Communion.

I am approaching this as a form a chant that feels natural.

Listen to her sing it and buy the sheet music at Willow.

You can also hear her here.

I made a backing to sing along with:

Come one, come all, come to me, I invite you to come to the feast.

I have prepared a banquet for you, you are welcome to come to the feast.

Take and eat, take and drink, do this in memory of me.

Take and eat, take and drink, do this in memory of me.

(Rpt all)

Do this in memory of me.

© 2020 Dolly McGaughey

Here is Dolly talking about her home and climate change:

This is a song of praise from Dolly McGaughey from the Torres Strait.

The sheet music is at Willow and I would encourage you to listen to the snippet of her singing her song there.

I made a backing to help us learn it.

1 The birth of a new day, show forth the wonders

Calling me to thank you in all that I do.

The beautiful sunrise calling me to praise you,

All creatures on earth now praising you.

2 All glory to God, glory to God on high.

Now all of creation is praising you.

Glory to God, glory to God on high.

Now all creation in praising you.

… is praising you.

… is praising you.

Having heard one Dolly McGaughey song I looked for others, and they all have an other worldly simplicity that is most engaging.

This would be lovely at an anointing.

The sheet music is at Willow and I encourage you to listen to the snippet of her performance there.

My backing is for learning purposes to sing along with.

We know we belong to you and we search for you in every way.

So many lives are broken, many hearts today need your healing touch.

We know we belong to you and we search for you in every way.

So many lives are broken, many hearts today need you healing touch.

Hear us, O Lord we pray, for mercy and love can only come from you.

We know we belong to you and we search for you in every way.

So many lives are broken, many hearts today need you healing touch.

© 2015 Dolly McGaughey

Monica O’Brien mentioned Dolly McGaughey in one of her newsletters. She is a Torres Strait Islander who has a unique voice and has written remarkable songs.

They strike me as indigenous chant like Taize perhaps, that could be used in a similar way.

This is a reflective song of praise. The sheet music is available from Willow and I recommend you listen to the snippet there of her singing to get the idea. Her songs have been haunting me since I started listening, I’m not sure why.

My backing may help to sing along with:

You are the light of the world sent from up above.

I’ll let you lead the way and I will follow you.

There is no darkness around as soon as you appear.

The way is clearly shown for me to follow you.

Jesus the light of the world.

Jesus the light of the world.

You are the brightest of all.

Jesus the light of the world

(Rpt all)

Jesus the light of the world.

Jesus the light of the world.

You are the brightest of all.

Jesus the light of the world.

Jesus the light of the world.

© 2021 Dolly McGaughey

This is another recent Australian song, this time from Brigid McNally. She is another of the great song writers who have emerged from the fruitful area of Catholic schools, whose music has a use in the wider church community. She has recently become a Willow contributor.

This is a song of praise that would work as a recessional, with a singable range that has an obvious use for young people that would not preclude its use in a parish situation.

The sheet music can be purchased at Willow, where there is a sample recording to listen to.

You can also sing along with my backing to learn the song.

Refrain

We are called to love, we are called to serve,

We are called to share the joyful news.

We are called to praise, called to proclaim,

Called to be on earth the heart of God.

1 Jesus, Lord, we praise you, for the love within your heart.

We give you glory and we honour you.

Thank you for your help, Lord, you give to us each day.

Bless our hearts we give them now to you.

Refrain

2 Take our hearts and hold them, make them forever yours.

Fill them with your spirit and your love.

Stay with us forever and let us follow you.

May your love for us be ever known.

Refrain

3 May people see your goodness, in all your gifts to them.

Enrich your church today with your kind heart.

Help us serve you truly as we answer to your call.

Keep us always coming back to you.

Refrain

Called to be on earth the heart of God.

© 2020 Brigid McNally

This is an Australian chant style mass that Chris is using successfully at his church.

Brother Michael Herry fms is an icon of Australian Catholic music and it is always worth a dive into his ridiculously deep archive, most of which is now freely available.

This mass being chant, it is pointless making BIAB backings, but thankfully it is not necessary.

He has full sung through tutorials and melody lines to guide you at Marist Music, so the choir and assembly can practice at home. The keyboard accompaniment can be purchased for download at Willow. There are no chords on the music so you have to be able to play piano or organ, no fudging, so lets me out I’m afraid. Of course, this will work best if your priest wants to sings their bits and get a chant dialogue going.

In another 2024 song from Willow, we have another Eucharistic hymn with music by Michael Harvey, this time with lyrics by Monica O’Brien. That’s two new songs for communion for us to consider to make our liturgies renewed and more Australian based.

The sheet music is at Willow.

I am enjoying putting Michael Harvey’s music into BIAB, which I think means it is distinctive and memorable.

As I can’t find any YouTube clips yet, you can sing along with my backing to learn it before you buy it. I even bothered to put the “poco rall” in at the end for a change.

(* 8/11/24 – There is now a sample track for listening purposes at Willow)

Refrain (Rpt 1st time)

To the table we are called, to the banquet of the Lord.

We are gathered for the feast where we will see the face of God and live!

By your grace we are gathered here in faith.

In this meal we are made whole.

1 In the body that is gathered, by hope that calls us here.

In our longings and our struggles, we place our trust in you.

Refrain

2 Bread and wine become your body by the faith that draws us near.

In this sacred meal of promise, we know your saving grace.

Refrain

3 In this mystery now before us we pray for unity,

For healing of our broken world, for peace be restored.

Refrain

In this meal we are made whole.

© 2024 Michael Harvey and Monica O’Brien

* After reading Chris’s comment, I thought I’d see what entering just the piano notes into BIAB would do. It usually just sounds mechanical, but until we get proper recordings it might give you an idea of the actual written music rather than a backing that I have based on the chords and melody alone.

* 1/2/25 There is now a clip on You Tube too – wonderful. I assume it’s Gina Ogilvie singing.