Church Music

Since Mass is cancelled I may as well have a virtual mass for myself and note the somewhat incoherent brief random thoughts on the readings I would have as if I was hearing them proclaimed:

1st Reading 1 Sam 16:1, 6-7,10-13.

Ps 22/23 The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want.

2nd reading Eph 5:8-14

Gospel John 9:1-41

If Jesus can break the sabbath to heal – surely we can be Eucharist without the Mass.

Christ, the light of the world will shine on you – illumination / knowledge.

The Lord looks at the heart – more illumination / a challenge if to be anointed.

We could even sing along with the hymns that were chosen:

Entrance: Merciful God (Bringle/Alonso) – gathering verses

Gifts: Open My Eyes  (Manibusan) AOV 1/166

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

Recessional:  Praise To You O Christ (Farrell) AOV 1/28

Ryan’s parish used this Christopher Walker tune recently. It is a setting of Psalm 33 and the refrain is singable. The verses, however, will need a practiced cantor because the tune goes in weird and wonderful places.

The sheet music is available at OCP where the text is in their preview. You might want to listen to the song sample there to get an idea of what is going on as a glance at the sheet music may be somewhat daunting.

I hope my backing gets it right.

Looking at music liturgy choices posted here makes me aware of new songs that I would otherwise not know about. This is another from RS’s parish by Trevor Thomson with obvious liturgical uses when the readings come up and Eucharist generally.

This song can build from a quiet beginning to as far as you want to take it.

The sheet music can be purchased at OCP where the text is their preview.

RS’s parish recently used this setting of the Beatitudes with a text by Delores Dufner and music by Scot Crandal. They suggest doing the verses in groups of two before each refrain. The Beatitudes can be used in lots of liturgical settings including funerals.

I love the reverent tune that builds gently up into the refrain.

The sheet music is available at OCP where the text is their preview.

A composer, Greg Schiemer contacted me about his song, “Poorman’s Heart” that he thought music ministers may wish to use, especially for Holy Week coming up.

He has given permission for his sheet music to be distributed freely.

He gave some background to the song:

At Holy Trinity Church Minto I am currently preparing the liturgy for Holy Week. One of the hymns we hope to learn for our Good Friday service is Poorman’s Heart a hymn I composed when I was involved at St Vincent’s parish in Redfern in the early 80s. Trish Watts sang this on a cassette called Songs for A Pauper a King and a Jester which I produced around that time. Sheet music from the cassette was also published in several issues of Annals published by Chevalier Press.

The striking text is set off by an unexpected tune – not unlike a Trisha Watts style funnily enough, moving through keys in unconventional ways.

He kindly provided a backing track as well.

REFRAIN
Poorman’s heart Jesus knows
Spring of living water flows
From His wounded side
VERSE 1
You were born of the Father before all ages
And became the Son of Man
You were born You lived and died
You died that we might live
And gave us all that one can give
VERSE 2
You were born in a stable You ate at sinners table
No place to lay Your head
Kissed the lepers and taught the blind to see
Overturning the tables of privilege
Along the road to Calvary
VERSE 3
Do not be afraid I am with you always
The beginning and the end
Be it done as Your word has spoken
And be there when the bread is broken
Making our hearts burn within us
© 1981 Greg Schiemer

Of course I had to have a go as well with BIAB.

Entrance:    Come to the Water (Andersen) AOV 1/74

Gifts:     Merciful God (Bringle/Alonso)

Communion: Springs of Salvation (Andersen)

Recessional: River of Glory  (Schutte)

They are having a bit of a Liam Lawton festival at Ryan’s parish with another of his tunes turning up there recently. I wasn’t sure about the last one, but this song is wonderful.

The sheet music can be purchased at GIA where the text is in their preview.

My backing is just the basic tune, but the Youtube clip has all the harmonies etc if you want to go all out.

This Liam Lawton communion hymn was used at Ryan’s parish recently.

You can purchase it at GIA where the text is in their preview.

It is a bit of an oddity in that it’s singable refrain invites participation, while the verses don’t. The verse is mostly all the note C. GIA say the “choral verses emulate a chant style.” A choir may feel cheated waiting so long for a different note.

This song turned up at RS’s parish – before Lent obviously – and it was new to me. It is by Jim Farrell and based on Psalm 145. It is indeed quite joyful.

I have a copy in my old Guitar Accompaniment Book from OCP. I’d bring it down a couple of semitones I think.

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

Before I go back to Catholic Worship book II, there is a backlog of songs from correspondents that are new to me that I want to look at.

This song for Lent and Easter was played at Ryan’s parish and is by Jeremy Young. The text I found in the preview at Hymnary – they have the scan from Gather Comprehensive 400 – just not my edition of that hymn book. GIA say the sheet music is out of print, but Stantons claim to have it.

The lyrics and chords are here and I used the chords to make the backing but fair warning I don’t think they are accurate and I made some substitutions.