Church Music

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

Entrance: All Are Welcome (Haugen)

Psalm 145 (McKenna)

Praise the Lord, my soul!

Praise the Lord, my soul!

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

Communion: Table of Plenty (Schutte) AOV 2/20

Thanksgiving: You Are Mine (Haas)  AOV 2/2

Recessional: Christ be Our Light (Farrell) AOV 2/3

This is a song by Leo Watt that he says would work for entrance and as a recessional and I think he is quite correct.

The original says “gather in St Eugene’s name”, his home parish, but I’ve made the suggested substitution.

You can purchase the sheet music following the instructions here.

1

The song of my people will surely be heard,

When two or three gather in God’s holy name.

The song of my people I will not ignore,

For your life and your giving will be blest evermore.

2

The song of my people will live on and on,

When you work together in God’s holy name.

The song of my people is my joy to hear.

In the hearts of the faithful, know that yes, I am near.

3

The song of my people will rise up this day

When you pray together in God’s holy name.

The song of my people will echo through time.

Know that your life has value, know that you, you are mine.

4

The song of my people will surely be heard,

When two or more gather in God’s holy name.

The song of my people I will not ignore,

For your life and your giving will be blest ever more.

© Leo Watt 2015

Leo Watt describes this as a “meditative hymn for any occasion”, but especially Good Friday.

You can get the sheet music following the instructions here.

1

No greater love the world has ever seen

That our God lived among us to share our pain and dreams.

God willed his only Son should die and rise again

That we might know our worth and the wonder of God’s love.

2

No greater love the world has ever seen

That a man lay his life down to save humanity.

And when we see is cross and when we see our sin,

We see what we have done and the wonder of God’s love.

3

No greater love the world has ever seen

That a son did his father’s will and knew his hour had come.

And we who weep today, who suffer many ways,

Gain strength to bear our cross through the wonder of God’s love.

© Leo Watt 2015

Leo Watt has written a song about the word of God that might work as a gathering song, especially for a Liturgy of the Word. He adapts Psalm 105, John 5:24 and Isaiah 55:11 in his text.

It is from the collection “Precious in My Eyes” and details on buying the sheet music are here.

Refrain

Listen to my word, it will light the way for you

And guide you as you go on your way through life.

Listen to my word that is spoken just for you

And know I am your God and you are my friends.

1

If today you hear my voice, harden not your heart.

And do not close your ears and ears;

It is I that speak to you.

2

Sometimes I will call your name;

Something you must do.

Be silent, then and you will hear

The message that I give.

3

Blest are those who hear my word,

Do the will of God.

For others will discover me

Through what you say and do.

© Leo Watt 2015