This is another communion song from David Haas’s “Table Songs”. This is one I haven’t used that I think is really worth consideration. It is based on Psalm 116.
The text is here. You could do it like the original at his MySpace page, with different sets of cantors, tubular bells and a massive “rit” at the end of the verses, or you could just let everyone sing everything and keep it simple with the triplets and interesting tune to keep it going.
This is another communion song by David Haas from his “Table Songs” collection. I worry about texts with “I will make of you a great nation” and “I will curse those who curse you.” I’m not convinced they suit our modern situation of nation states where some countries do seem to think they are especially blessed by God. …and then there’s that singing in the voice of God problem.
The text is here and once again the original version is available at Haas’s MySpace page.
Entrance: All Are Welcome (Haugen)
Psalm 119 (O’Brien)
Lord, I love your commands. O Lord, I love your commands.
Gifts: I Have Loved You (Joncas) AOV 1/126
Communion: To Be Your Bread (Haas) AOV 1/65
Lord To Whom Shall We Go (Herry) AOV 1/6
Thanksgiving: Bring Forth the Kingdom (Haugen) AOV 2/4
Recessional: We Are Called (Haas) AOV 2/60
In a world where the last thing anyone needs is another amateur musician writing songs for church, this is my second week of challenging myself to write a song based on the readings for the upcoming week. So for the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time Year A I looked at the readings but the song only came out of Romans 8:26-27.
Apart from learning to use my version of Finale and forcing myself to think about the readings ahead of times, I would have liked to write songs for a notional assembly. But things haven’t gone to plan and after last week’s odd country waltz, this one sounds like a children’s song, albeit one that would require the children to learn what intercedes means.
By the way I’m open for comments, suggestions, criticisms and letting me know where I have subconsciously lifted tunes from other songs.
Verse 1
When words cannot express. (Pray properly)
When friends can’t ease distress. (Pray properly)
God knows what’s in our hearts.
God knows just what we mean.
So the Spirit comes to help us in our weakness
to pray properly.
Verse 2
Our God is always there. (Pray properly)
Our God will always care. (Pray properly)
God knows what’s in our hearts.
God knows just what we mean.
So the Spirit comes to help us in our weakness
to pray properly.
Bridge
Sighs too deep for words.
Sighs too deep for words.
The Spirit intercedes
with sighs too deep for words.
Verse 3
God hears when we repent. (Pray properly)
We feel the grace he sent. (Pray properly)
God knows what’s in our hearts.
God knows just what we mean.
So the Spirit comes to help us in our weakness
to pray properly.
© Geoffrey Madden 2014
Sheet Music: Pray Properly
While this is in David Haas’s “Table Songs” it is a communion processional by Rob Glover.
The refrain is lovely and singable, but the verses are chant style, go very high, switch from 2/2 to 3/2 and are full of tricky triplets — and so require extremely competent and talented cantors. I think the refrain could be used on its own to great effect.
The text is here (on page seven of the bulletin) and it can be heard at David Haas’s Myspace page.
I’m working through the communion songs in David Haas’s “Table Songs”. This one is especially suited for Christmas and perhaps Advent services. The refrain is gentle and singable but the verses may needs a cantor.
The text is here and you can hear it at Haas’s MySpace page, which shows the countermelodies that lift the piece out of the ordinary.
This is a Taizé style song by David Haas from “Table Songs” in that it has an ostinato refrain that continues under the verses sung by cantors. It differs from Taizé in that it much more theatrical in style and the verses are definitely cantor only – high held notes abound.
The text is here and you can hear it in all its splendour at Haas’s Myspace page.
My backing drops the refrain out for clarity during the verses but do keep singing if you are doing that part. I’ve given different voices to the soprano and tenor parts and put them in opposite speakers so you can hear the duet in the third verse. If you have two excellent cantors give it a go.
Getting back to David Haas’s “Table Songs” book, this song is based on the Berakoth.
When you listen to his version at Myspace, you will see how much it depends on the harmonies in the refrain and the skill of the cantors. I suspect it is too fragile a tune for stomping on by the assembly.
The text is here.
My backing is a bit basic but will be OK for learning purposes.
We are still using The Mass of St Francis but looking ahead to late August when we will start with Mason’s Mass of Glory and Praise, we will start using his Gospel Acclamation from this week.
Entrance: As A Fire is Meant For Burning (Duck) GA481
Psalm 86 (O’Brien)
Lord, you are good and forgiving, good and forgiving.
Gifts: A Trusting Psalm (Bates) AOV 1/115
Communion: Seed, Scattered and Sown (Feiten) GA 195
Hosea (Norbet) AOV 1/30
Thanksgiving: The Summons (Maule-Bell) AOV NG 149
Recessional: Send Down the Fire (Haugen) AOV 2/164
This is another of David Haas’s communion songs from “Table Songs.” The refrain has a simple tune but things get more interesting in the verses. The text sings in the voice of God, which is no longer as accepted, but really obvious enough to handle here.
The text is here (but they’ve rearranged the verses). The original version is at David Haas’s MySpace page, with harmonies and countermelodies that enhance the song enormously.
My backing gives space for all seven verses.
