Church Music

Donna mentioned that her parish was singing this Marian hymn. The sheet music says it is by Ricky Manalo and was written in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Order of Carmelites in America. The text is traditional and even if that is common knowledge it really should have been noted on the sheet music. The origin of the text is correctly noted at OCP.

Us ex-Presbyterians aren’t big on Marian hymns but this is quite singable and has a descant and a Spanish lyric by Jorge Monterroso. The refrain is in Latin, English or Spanish.

OCP sell the sheet music and the text is in their preview.

This is another from Ryan’s parish that I haven’t heard of before. It is a song of praise by John Foley. It has odd intervals and strange discordant chords, but at least it isn’t run of the mill. I found the sheet music in Glory and Praise.

The text is at OCP in their preview. They also sell the sheet music.

I dropped some of the more adventurous chords for my BIAB backing.

This one was used at Ryan’s parish and being a Bob Hurd song I thought I should have already blogged it in OCP’s Guitar Accompaniment Book. I hadn’t noticed that it was missing from my copy, so it is a good chance for me to catch up.

Hurd has written this gospel styled song for a Sprinkling Rite or Baptism in his Mass of Glory.

Not all assembly’s can cope with this genre, but it sounds a good option if you have done “River of Glory” to death.

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

BIAB does gospel -sort of:

This lovely song of comfort was used at Ryan’s parish. It is by Sylvia Dunstan and I have a copy in Gather Comprehensive set by Bob Moore set to his lovely tune DUNSTAN.

GIA sell the sheet music. You can also find the text in their preview there.

This Bob Fabing song is very pleasant but has a fair old range, going very high in the verses. OCP mention its potential for retreats and meditation, but I’m sure it would fit some liturgies too. It is based on Matthew 6:25-33.

The text is the preview at OCP, who also sell the sheet music.

Entrance: Gather As One  (McKenna) AOV NG 48

Psalm 118 (McKenna)

Lord, I love you commands.

Lord, I love you commands.

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

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

Thanksgiving: Come to Set Us Free (Farrell) AOV 1/39

Recessional: Send Down the Fire (Haugen) AOV 2/164

This is a setting of Psalm 96 for Christmas, with the refrain taken from Luke 2:10-11. Paul Inwood has provided his usual vigor, interesting chords and a different key in the verses. This definitely needs a cantor and since we usually sing everything together I doubt we’ll use it.

There is a matching Gospel Acclamation provided.

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

This is an Owen Alstott song based on Psalm 25. It is suitable for anointing, reconciliation and more generally in masses – I think for gifts especially.

I’d bring it down from G to F myself.

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

Sing along with my BIAB backing to learn the song:

Christopher Willcock used passages from Matthew. Luke, John and St Ignatius Loyola for this gentle production number especially appropriate for Holy Thursday.

The one line refrain is for the assembly and everything else is for the cantor, except a third verse in a different key for a choir. Since we don’t usually have a cantor we tend to bypass these sort of songs.

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

I’m not sure it is healthy to make BIAB backings for Willcock hymns:

This song has a text by E. Donald Osuna and music by Nancy Elze. It is gentle song of encouragement.

The text is here and the sheet music can be purchased at OCP.