Church Music

An Easter song from Leo Watt, presumably also from the musical “He Lives”.

The sheet music is the the collection “Precious in My Eyes”, which can obtained following the instructions here.

Refrain

The Lord is risen, He is risen alleluia.

The Lord is risen, as he promised alleluia.

1

Let the darkness fade away and the hearts of all rejoice.

Let the world proclaim in every age that God is alive.

2

May there be peace in your heart and a faith that knows no end.

May your hope be strong in the knowledge that our God is alive.

3

For life has beaten death and the sorrow turned to joy.

Till the end of time we will always know that our God is alive.

© Leo Watt 1980, 2015.

Entrance: Gather As One (McKenna) AOV NG 48

Psalm 53 (McKenna)

The Lord upholds my life.

The Lord upholds my life.

Gifts: Prayer For Peace (Haas) AOV 1/91

Communion: One Bread One Body (Foley) AOV 1/129

Thanksgiving: Tree of Life (Thompson) AOV NG 138

Recessional: Sing to the Mountains (Dufford) AOV 1/92

This is from an Easter musical called “He Lives” that Leo Watt wrote in the 1970s. It’s range betrays it’s theatrical origins but if you have the talent on hand it would suit veneration on Good Friday.

I suspect a typo in the music – whenever there is an F# in a bar with a Dm I’ve substituted an F natural and it sounds right. Follow the instructions on this page to get the sheet music.

Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.

My life is slowly fading and my tears I cry for you.

But why? Tell me why must it end in this way?

I shouldn’t be a failure who dies hanging on a cross.

I’ve been abandoned by my friends and now Father by you.

O you who pass by me now, you can’t see all the sorrow I bear,

Do not harden up your hearts and do not walk alone in fear.

I am with you, I am in you, I am near.

Father, Father, it’s over.

Into your hands I entrust my soul.

© Leo Watt 1980, 2015

This is a song for Eucharist by Leo Watt. It is in his sheet music album “Precious in My Eyes” available by following the instructions here.

It is also known in a shorter version as “Eucharist”.

1

Take this bread and cup of wine

And do what I’ve done till the end of time.

Remember me in whatever you do,

For this is my body, broken for you.

2

Take and eat, my life I share,

That you may be one with me in prayer.

Live on in me, as I live in you,

And love one another as I have loved you.

3

Bread is broken, you can all share.

Food for the journey to show you I care.

Wine that is poured out, a drink for you, too.

And the Lord’s new commandment I give to you.

© Leo Watt

This is a wedding song by Leo Watt. The sheet music can be purchased from Leo following the instructions here.

I’ve already blogged it here but my backing was too heavy handed.

This one is has a lighter bossa touch.

Refrain

When love is there the world is such a better place

and I can share my life with you.

And we both know we can’t have ev’rything.

But I don’t care as long as love is there.

Yes I don’t care as long as love is there.

Verse 1

This moment in time means so much today.

When two become one, a most special way.

Only love can survive all the changes in life,

As we promise our love as both man and wife.

Refrain

Verse 2

To have and to hold is a promise we make.

And now we commit to give and to take.

We will try to forgive all the faults that we fear.

I will always be there and you will be near.

Refrain

© Leo Watt 2015

Leo Watt says this one is a “plaintive song for Good Friday”. I think it is a lovely song, perhaps as a background for veneration.

It is in the sheet music album “Precious in My Eyes” available by following the instructions here.

1

I have seen, yes I have known

The love that God has shown to me.

A crown of thorns, a wooden cross,

Love is revealed on Calvary.

2

Stay and hear the words he breathes:

“They do not know just what they do.”

Forgive us, Lord, our sinful ways,

The words we say, the things we do.

3

Bow your heads, cry out in prayer

To see the Lord in constant pain.

And know he died that we might live

And rise again in Jesus name.

© Leo Watt

Back in Leo Watt’s “Precious in My Eyes” is this song inspired by the forgiving father waiting for the prodigal son to come home.

The sheet music is available – instructions here.

1

Come back to me, forget your foolish ways.

You try and fail in what you seek to be.

I am the one who saves the ones who stray.

When all is lost I love you still.

I wait for you.

2

Come back to me, I know you through and through.

The life you led, mistakes, I know them all.

For I have come to save the sick and lost.

When hope is gone, I love you still.

I wait for you.

3

Come back to me, not once but many times.

And start again to turn once more to me.

I’ll welcome you with arms that open wide.

Know this is true, i love you still.

I wait for you.

© Leo Watt 2016

Entrance: Glory in the Cross (Schutte)

Psalm 114 (McKenna)

I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.

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

Communion: Come to the Table (Burland) AOV NG 33

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

Recessional: Hearts on Fire (Mangan) AOV NG 62

This is funeral song from Leo Watt’s album “Precious in My Eyes”, which is available via the information here.

He used Gregorian chant as an inspiration and the first line is in Latin.

In paradisum dedecant te angeli

1

Into paradise we commend you

Into the care of our ever loving God.

May the angels welcome you, may eternal life be yours,

And may you rest in the peace of God.

2

Into paradise we commend you

Now that your time on this earth has passed away.

As we celebrate your life, you are precious to us all.

And may you rest in the peace of God.

© Leo Watt 2016

I’m still working through Leo Watt’s “Precious in My Eyes” collection that can be purchased following the directions here.

This song is like a blessing hymn but also has themes suitable for a recessional. I love this tune.

1

May your God go with you all your days;

May the Lord smile upon your ways;

May your heart be open and your love sincere;

May the world be a better place because of you.

2

May you share your talents and your time;

May you be hope to those in need;

May you be a witness to a God who cares;

May the world be a better place because of you.

3

May you leave behind a memory;

May they know you have not lived in vain;

May your worth be measured by a loving God;

May the world be a better place because of you.

©Leo Watt 2015