I’m still going through an ancient folder of MIDI files created on Band in a Box V1 for Windows in the last millennium. I’m putting them through my cut down version of ProTools to see what comes out the other side.
This is a hymn by Bob Gillman. The text is here. It can be purchased for download at musicnotes. It is suggested for weddings.
Having got to the bottom of the miscellaneous pile, I’ve found some songs that I made backings for in the remote past and for which I longer have sheet music. This is a Dan Schutte song that I fear we used with some obvious liturgical movement.
I saw this song mentioned on Mary’s blog, where she links to its text and sheet music here. It is noted that this setting of Psalm 51 is by an unknown author.
Chorus:
Create in me a clean heart, O Lord
And renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O Lord
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence, O Lord,
And take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Have mercy on me, O Lord in all your goodness.
In your great compassion, wipe my sins.
Wash me from my guilt and cleanse me from my sins
And renew a right spirit within me.
Open my lips, and I proclaim your praise.
My humble heart I offer up to you.
May the sacrifice I give be pleasing in your eyes
And renew a right spirit within me.
I tried to work it out from that sheet music, but it seems a bit defective (or I’m not up to it).
The link here has more useable music. This link made me aware of Keith Green’s version, which he claimed to have written, which is nearly identical.
Just to be perverse I’ve made a backing that follows the slightly different verse melody of Green while sharing the usual tune for the chorus.
This is a song from emmanuelworship and written by Patrick Keady. It can be purchased as part of the Lifted collection here. This is a real emotional roller coaster of a song that rewards extreme dynamic variation. (ie quiet to loud and back again) Emmanuelworship have a habit of things like verse/verse/chorus/verse/chorus/chorus/coda but feel free to play around with it.
Verse
Your mercies are new every morning
and Your forgiveness is free
I thank You my Jesus for dying
and proving Your great love to me.
Rpt Verse
Chorus
You have loved me with an everlasting love
You have loved me with Your arms open wide upon a cross
This is another oldie and I think it is by Brian Boniwell, but I’m not actually sure. Singing in the voice of God is less acceptable apparently these days, so I’m not sure if this one can be revived. If anyone can clarify if Mr Boniwell did write this one I’d be grateful.
My backing appears to have been done with children in mind.
Refrain:
You are the ones that I have chosen
You are the ones who know my name
I’ll give to you the light of my spirit
I’ll give to you the love of my heart.
Verse 1
Give to me your time just to listen
Don’t be afraid, I’ll be with you everywhere
Though I’ll be gone, you will seek and you will find me.
This is an ancient (early1970s) song by Dan Schutte. I don’t think it can be resuscitated if you can’t sing Yahweh. …unless of course you rewrite the song as has been done.
My version is in A, but I note that in rewriting the words the key was raised to C, which may be an easier key in which to sing if you throat feels tight after the 2008 Yahweh directive.
My backing is another ancient MIDI file originally made with Band in a Box vs.1 for windows and recently put through ProTools for fun.
This is an old song by W. F. Jabusch that we used to sing. I have an ancient version that had eleven verses, but someone has helpfully covered several over with liquid paper. It is copyright 1970 WLP. It is now administered by OCP and they had the same idea because it has been cut down to five verses as you can see when you access the text at spiritandsong. You can buy and download the sheet music at OCP. I notice in the preview of the piece that the melody is unaltered but the chords have been substantially changed in the newer arrangement.
Hymnary have lots of helpful background on the hymn and its author.
In the unlikely event that you don’t know this chestnut you could sing along with my backing that I believe has space for eleven verses if you know them. It is an ancient MIDI file tarted up on ProTools.
This is childrens’ song that is great for Confirmation/ First Eucharist groups and for school based exploration of Advent.
You can hear a snippet at As One Voice and it is available there as part of the As One Voice For Kids collection. It is also available in a collection at GIA.
I've worked my way through the As One Voice books and other collections making backings on Band in a Box to help me (& you if you're interested) learn new songs for church. This is aimed at churches and musicians that own the collections but haven't exploited them fully. If you don't have them they are certainly worth buying. This site is educational, nonprofit and designed to enhance the commercial prospects of songwriters. This site does not distribute copyrighted sheet music.
Disclaimer
Any opinions expressed here are personal views and not the responsibility of any Church.
All music backings posted are created by myself and the intention is for them to be used to learn the songs. If any copyright holder wishes me to cease publicising and promoting their wares and directing people to where sheet music can be legally purchased please let me know.
Mason’s “Mass of Glory and Praise”
To access my backings for Paul Mason's mass go to Feb 2011 in the archive.