I’ve never heard this sung in a church either but it is mentioned in Harry Chapin’s “Dance Band on the Titanic.” It was written in the nineteenth century by Sarah F. Adams and Lowell Mason. It should sound like the excerpt at AOV. This acapella version is nice as is this gentle piano arrangement. There are lots of YouTube videos about this song, many with Titanic associations.
1. Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
yet in my dreams I'd be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
3. There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;
all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;
angels to beckon me
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise,
out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;
so by my woes to be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
5. Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
Alternative lyrics:
2.Friends may depart from me,
Night may come down,
Clouds of adversity darken and frown:
Still through my tears I'll see
Hope gently leading me ....
3. What though the shadows fall,
Naught shall I fear;
When darkest seems the night,
Morning is near.
Sweet shall my trusting be,
Sorrow still bringing me ....
I’ve never heard of this song by Laurence Rosania. It has a bit of a show tune style to it and I reckon it is a choir piece rather than a useful song for the assembly. You can hear an excerpt here. This is classy piano instrumental version of the song. Here is a choir’s version.
This is a setting of Ps 66 by Marty Haugen. We have only ever used it as a refrain and the verses are a bit tricky. You can listen to an excerpt at AOV. This version is well done.
The text is here. (scroll down) It can be purchased as part of collection of psalms at GIA.
This is an unusual song written by Tom Bolton. The verse is all on the same chord and repeats the same sequence of notes four times. The chorus is more conventional.
The text suggests it is a children’s song. Listen to a snippet at AOV.
Refrain
We could all build a bridge together.
When in need we could help each other.
God says we should love one another,
Stretch our arms out, open our hearts out,
Take good care of each other now,
Take good care of each other now!
Verse 1
Everybody’s standing, everybody’s walking,
everybody’s clapping, everybody’s singing.
Refrain
Verse 2
Everybody cries, everybody growls,
everybody jumps up and down, and everybody shouts.
This is a children’s song by Christopher Walker that turns up unexpectedly and gives the impression that the end of this collection gets a bit random. Some children sing it in the excerpt at AOV. The first sentence in the verse is sung solo and then repeated by the assembly. You can hear another version here.
The excerpt at AOV is very reverent, but this is a heart felt protest song and I suppose we’ll all be singing it at church soon. The song has a complicated genesis and labyrinthine copyright as you can read at Wikipedia. As the anthem of the civil rights movement the lyrics have varied and you can find all sorts of versions on the net. These are the lyrics in AOV. Listen to Pete Seeger’s version! This gospel version shines too.
A song based on Ephesians 4:5 by Owen Alstott. The verse is mean to be faster than the refrain and that is a difficult trick to pull off without a cantor so good luck. A snippet at AOV will give you the idea, or you could listen to the whole song here.
This is a song by David Light that has odd time signatures in the chorus 4/4, 6/8, 4/4, 2/4 etc. The sample at AOV will give you the tricky timings. It is in AOV for Kids as well and I think its a bit tricky for kids and much too wordy.
Refrain
We are an Easter people, and alleluia is our song!
We are an Easter people, and alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
This one is in high rotation at our church. It has words by Monica O’Brien and Trisha Watts and music by Trisha Watts. The sample at AOV is sort of new age funk if you can believe it. I love the lyrics of this song and I try to remember that every time I stumble over the introduction. Trisha Watts music is never ordinary, even in something that works as well for children as adults.
Chorus
There is one Body, one Spirit, the peace that binds us all.
There is one Lord, one living faith and one God, the maker of all.
Verse 1
Bear with one another in charity, with gentleness and care.
Preserve the unity of the Spirit that we share.
Chorus
Verse 2
Jesus who descended is He who rose above.
To each he gave his gifts to reach the fullness of His love.
Chorus
Verse 3
Living by truth and justice we’ll grow to be like Christ.
In service give our lives, as a body we will rise.
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.
