This is a very popular choice when selected at our church. It is written by John Michael Talbot and is best with minimal instrumentation as long as you can time the long intervals. It is a meditation on the real presence.
You can hear the original here. I can’t find the a link to buy the sheet music online, so you would need to contact his website.
Christ has no body now but yours,
no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
compassion on this world,
yours are the feet with which He walks to do good.
Yours are the hands
with which He blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands,
yours are the feet,
yours are the eyes.
You are His body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
compassion on this world,
Christ has no body now on earth
but yours.
This is another mantra, this time for evening prayer written by Sr Aideen O’Sullivan. It is published by Spectrum but I can’t find it on their website.
This is essentially a mantra from Daniel Iverson that we have used on occasion as a Vene Sancte. It sounds very modern for something written in the 1920s. This is a very lovely tribute from his son. I love the story of him trying to use this song before a sermon and never getting to it as the congregation wouldn’t stop singing. I also love the fact that a Presbyterian continues to enrich our Catholic liturgy.
It appears we sang an extra first verse with “fall afresh on them”.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me,
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.
Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us,
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.
This is another song from Brian Boniwell, who has no internet presence that I can find. It was the title track of a CD and music book that appears to be out of print. I wonder if those who know him can persuade him to put up a site so everyone can buy his music easily?
This song’s simple lyrics are all that is needed I think.
Our priest is away and he was kind enough to get a replacement priest and a deacon to take his place today. While I appreciated their effort to assist it was not exactly a pleasant experience. As I sat through a tortuous homily from the Deacon, which boiled down to an argument that transubstantiation is true because Jesus said so, I wondered if he was aware of the true presence in the Body of Christ in the assembled people listening to him.
This song says it better.
Verse 1
Receive the Spirit of love, the holy face of God.
The power to nuture life, creation’s only song.
Refrain
Come with your fire, rest in our hearts, fill us with light.
Shine through our lives, sharing your gifts, sharing your love.
Verse 2
Receive the Spirit of joy, the healing touch of God.
The power of love to share, the burdens of our lives.
Refrain
Verse 3
Receive the Spirit of truth, uniting all who come.
To seek the stream of life, the waters of new birth.
Refrain
Verse 4
Receive the Spirit of peace, the moonlight through the trees.
A gentle silent tide, a whisper on the breeze.
Refrain
Verse 5
Receive the Spirit of hope, our brightly shining star.
To light and guide our way, to lead us safely home.
This song was also sung this morning at Mass at our local church. The text is by Rev Susan Briehl and the music was adapted from an Argentinian folk melody by Marty Haugen. There is a Spanish version with lyrics by Jaime Cortez. I think one of our Filipino community found this one. It is very appropriate for the readings of the last few weeks.
You can hear a sample and buy the music at GIA. It sounds rather strange on organ as done by this church, but can function as a normal hymn I suppose. It just doesn’t sound very South American when sung by Lutherans!
There were two songs we sang this morning at Mass that I haven’t blogged yet.
The recessional was this song by Fr Robert F (Roc) O’Connor. You can hear a sample here, and that is where I found all the extra lyrics. It is available in Spirit & Song 3 and Never Too Young, which you can purchase online at spiritandsong. It is available for single download here. I note that my old copy has “in praise of His mercy” and today both lines were sung simultaneously!
Often when I play a song on guitar at Mass, I am hamstrung by the fact it was written for organ and no matter how well we play the song, it would have been better on organ. Today I wasn’t playing and the group playing sung with piano accompaniment and the reverse occurred. This song needs guitars. Oddly the sample above has that, but the style of singing sounds weird with the guitars. Nonetheless, this is a great recessional.
My backing has lots of BIAB guitars with a fun country soloist playing around the melody.
NB I somehow missed that the alternative lyrics are in AOV 1/156! I did a backing and then forgot to post it.
Refrain
Lift up your hearts to the Lord,
praise God’s gracious mercy!
Sing out your joy to the Lord,
whose love is enduring.
1. Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Praise the name above all names!
Say to God, “How wondrous your works,
how glorious your name!”
2. Let the earth worship, singing your praise.
Praise the glory of your name!
Come and see what God has revealed;
bless God’s holy name!
3. God’s right hand made a path through the night,
split the waters of the sea.
All creation, lift up your voice:
“Our God set us free!”
4. Listen now, all you servants of God,
as I tell of these great works.
Blessed be the Lord of my life,
whose love shall endure!
Alternative lyrics
Behold the Glory of God
Refrain
Behold the glory of God,
the Day-Star arising!
Christ Jesus shines on the earth
with mercy enduring!
1. Night of hope, night of glory divine–
Darkness conquered evermore.
Christ triumphant shines on the earth
With joy that endures.
2. Dance for joy all you angels of God,
Let the pow’rs of heav’n exult.
All creation, join now in song:
“Salvation is won!”
3. Let the earth in its beauty rejoice,
Radiant as the morning sky.
Chains of death lie shattered this night–
Christ’s vict’ry complete!
4. Robed about in the light of the day,
Let the Church take up its praise.
Sacred walls resound with the voice
Of God’s holy ones.
5. Blessed was the first fall from your grace,
Blessed was the fateful sin.
Blessed more the *blood of the Cross:
Our God set us free.
6. O how wondrous the gift of your love,
Tender gift on our behalf:
To redeem a slave lowly born
You gave us the Christ.
7. O my God, you are worthy indeed
To receive our grateful song.
We acclaim the deeds of your hand:
“Praise God evermore!”
8. God delivered our life from the snare
With a strong and mighty hand;
Set us free from all of our foes
To worship The Name.
9. Through the fire and the water you led
With the darkness round about.
Death was near; the snare was released;
Our God set us free!
10. Lift your hands, off’ring thanks unto God,
Raise a hymn of endless praise:
Blessed be the Lord of our lives,
Whose mercy endures.
11. With a shout, water fled from the sea,
Paths were opened by your Word.
Far beyond our thoughts or desires,
Your mercy is sure!
12. O remember your promise, O God;
Let your mercy still remain:
Save your people who cry out to you,
“O God, set us free!”
This is a Monica Brown mantra that is meant to be a round, with the second vocal line coming in after the first bar. It finds a natural place before the liturgy of the word.
This is another song from the miscellaneous pile of which I have very little recollection. It was written by Gary Ault and performed by the Dameans.
The song is an OCP song but the link there is dead. This is a folky version that is nice, but this is an outstanding version done as a piano ballad, even getting an endorsement from the songwriter!
REFRAIN
Speak, Lord, I’m listening
Plant your word down deep in me.
Speak, Lord, I’m listening
Please show me the way.
1. Sometimes my heart is slow to follow you;
Touch me to hear and understand;
And I’m told the things you promise;
And I hope they all come true;
And I know what waits for those who wait;
And put their trust in You.
2. Sometimes I stumble on my way to you;
Stretch out again, your healing hand;
And I’m told the things you promise;
And I hope they all come true;
And I know what waits for those who wait;
And put their trust in You.
This is another song in the miscellaneous folder that was written by Michael Mangan, which makes me think it was from a school liturgy from when my children were still at school. You will need to contact Litmus to find out how to get the music for this song if you want it.
My backing is probably trying to be too cute, but will give you the idea.
Verse 1
Joseph was a carpenter, a man who worked with wood,
Working hard and honestly the only way he could.
He found a girl he loved, with whom he’d share his life,
And he would raise a family with Mary as his wife.
Chorus
Joseph, show us how to live, show us how to love,
Show us how to give our lives to God.
Joseph, show us how to trust, show us how to care,
Show us how to give our lives to God.
Verse 2
Joseph was a man of God, a strong and gentle man,
Called to have a special part in God’s almighty plan.
Joseph had to trust that God knew what was best,
As Joseph’s faith and love for God were put to the test.
Chorus
Verse 3
Joseph was a man of faith, a kind and humble man,
He accepted what God planned tho’ he didn’t understand.
Joseph heard God’s call and his new life had begun,
As he and Mary love and cared for Jesus, God’s own son.
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.
