Church Music

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.

Live in me and you will know.

Refrain

Verse 2

Lift your eyes and see me in my sorrow

Drawing you and pouring out my life

Look on me, I’ll be your consolation

Live in me and you will know.

Refrain

I’ll give to you the love of my heart.

?© Spectrum 1984

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.

The original text is at Cantus Mundi (and at Dan Schutte’s site incidentally – it’s No 23). It can be bought at OCP.

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My backing is another ancient MIDI file originally made with Band in a Box vs.1 for windows and recently put through ProTools for fun.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.

We will make a place ready for you, Jesus.

We will open our arms to your love.

We are happy to sing of the riches you bring.

We will make a place ready in our hearts.

© Damian Halloran and Maria Millward 1998.

I’ve been spending some time renovating my old posts on As One Voice: the Next Generation looking for dead links and adding links to purchase sheet music for download where available and I noticed I somehow missed this song by John Angotti. I must have been trying to finish the last few songs and just skipped it, because I did make a backing at the time.

The song is based on Matt 25:35-40 and would be fine for when that reading comes around. My only caveat is that the refrain has too many short notes and the assembly will struggle with it.

You can get the text from the sample sheet music at Voices As One. They also provide a snippet of the song to listen to and will let you purchase the song for download here. I suspect it may also be in “More Voices As One” but I can’t find a live link to a full list of the songs on that album at WLP.

This is listed as a Negro spiritual and is another one for Stations of the Cross.

You can find the text here.

I think my backing particularly poor but I put it up as something I would use as a hack guitarist to listen to, so I can get the intervals right with all those trembles over 3 1/2 bars. That’s about all it’s good for.

There is sheet music all over the net for this tune, for example,you can get a 5 part arrangement + piano here. Hymnary has some background and links to lots of other arrangements.

You tube has a lot of versions for your meditative and listening pleasure.

We will be singing a Michael Herry song next week and I’ve found another that you could use for the Way of the Cross. You can hear a snippet at Amazon. Spectrum say it is in this book but it is out of stock and they suggest you contact Brother Michael.

We adore you O Christ and bless you

Because by your holy cross you redeemed the world.

© Michael Herry fms 1995.

*The Marists have made the sheet music available here.

The music selected for this week is:

Entrance: Tree of Life (Thompson) AOV NG 138

Psalm 95 (O’Brien)

If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your heart.

Gifts: God of Second Chances (Haas)

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

Lord, to Whom Shall We Go? (Herry) AOV 1/6

Recessional: We Remember (Haugen) AOV 1/81

This is another one for confirmation, this time from Taizé.

We used to do just the ostinato and just one verse but there are six verses in my music that is No 41 in Songs & Prayers from Taizé (available from GIA and elsewhere) and that is what I used for my ridiculously long backing.

The text with all the parts etc is here, but if you are following on my backing verses 2 and 3 are reversed in that version for some reason.

Cantus Mundi has Youtube selections and non english lyrics.

We used to play a few Michael Herry songs and this was one for confirmation.

You can hear a snippet on I-tunes of all places and the whole thing on Spotify. They do it in a more restrained and respectful manner than our recall our version for the kids. You can order it as part the collection “God of Surprises” here.

Vene Sancte Spiritus,

Vene Sancte Spiritus,

Vene Sancte Spiritus,

Vene Sancte Spiritus.

© Michael Herry fms 1993.