The more I look at Volume One of this collection, the more it seems that this is an excellent resource of music for specific liturgies attached to a mediocre hymn book in Volume Two.
This is a lovely simple tune by Jeanne Cotter for anointing. She has set the ICEL text, “Blessed be God who heals us, blessed be God who heals us in Christ,” which is repeated. Lovely.
It costs all of US$0.90 for the sheet music at GIA.
Back in the useful first volume of Catholic Worship Book II, where all the liturgical goodies are, is this somng for penance by Bernard Kirkpatrick.
He cast his net wide for the text with a verse from Ezekiel, Isaiah, Micah and Romans respectively. It appears he has not claimed copyright on the paraphrases, which is nice.
The tune is O WALY WALY.
1 Take from us now, Lord, our hearts of stone,
That we may follow you alone;
Our souls refresh and our minds renew,
Our human hearts make worthy of you.
2 Shine on us now, Lord, your light, we pray,
Turn us from darkness into day,
For those who hunger so may we feed,
And troubled souls to you may lead.
3 Turn t’ward us now, Lord, our faces see,
Cast of our sins into the sea;
For you are merciful, just and kind,
our trust in you, we keep in mind.
4. We know our sins, Lord, will bring us down,
But by the thorns, worn in the crown
Of Christ our saviour, your only Son
Eternal life for us is won.
5 Let thankful praises to heav’n ascend,
Our lives in Christ we now amend,
That reconciled with God above,
We may show forth the Spirit’s love.
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.
