A folk styling of Ps 100 from the sixties by Lucien Deiss.
In the AOV snippet 1 1/2 bars of 6/8 are added at the end of the refrain before the verses commence and so I’ve added that to my backing. BIAB added an intro of 2 bars: A F#m, D E7sus.
The text is available here. (scroll down) It can be purchased for download from OCP.
More imposing music from Christopher Walker. It is a setting of Ps 118 with a major Easter application.
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
A snippet at AOV hints at the organ, brass and massed voices that is the natural home of this song. A more modest, but nice, illustration of a more normal church experience can be heard here. The verses lend themselves to cantor/assembly, but the repetitions would survive being sung by all.
Refrain
This day was made by the Lord,
let us rejoice, let us be glad.
This day was made by the Lord,
let us rejoice in salvation!Verse 1
I thank you, your love is eternal,
you have given me life.
You have given me life.
I will proclaim the wonders you do!Refrain
Verse 2
Your hand raised me up in triumph,
you have given me life.
You have given me life.
I will proclaim the wonders you do!Refrain
Verse 3
The stone which the builders rejected
is the cornerstone,
is the cornerstone.
I will proclaim the wonders you do!Refrain
Verse 4
You opened the gates of heaven,
you have given me life.
You have given me life.
I will proclaim the wonders you do!Refrain
Verse 5
You are my strength and my Savior,
you have given me life.
You have given me life.
I will proclaim the wonders you do!Refrain
© Christopher Walker 1988,1989.
PS Merry Christmas
We played at mass last night and this morning with all our family home and able to sing together – are rarity these days. It good to hear all the voices raised in song.
More seventies goodness from Dan Schutte, who has written what has always sounded to me a real country song. Based on various sources in Isaiah, it is lively enough for a recessional although the first two verses should do for that.
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
You can listen to the original here. You would never guess from my backing but the chorus is noisy and the verse restrained until the last line builds up to get you back to the chorus.
Refrain
Though the mountains may fall and the hills turn to dust,
Yet the love of the Lord will stand
As a shelter for all who will call on His name.
Sing the praise and the glory of God!
Verse 1
Could the Lord ever leave you? Could the Lord forget His love?
Though a mother forsake her child, He will not abandon you.
Refrain
Verse 2
Should you turn and forsake Him, He will gently call your name.
Should you wander away from Him, He will always take you back.
Refrain
Verse 3
Go to Him when you’re weary; He will give you eagle’s wings.
You will run, never tire, for your God will be your strength.
Refrain
Verse 4
As He swore to your fathers, when the flood destroyed the land;
He will never forsake you; He will swear to you again.
Refrain
© Daniel Schutte and New Dawn Music 1975.
Christopher Walker was certainly a favourite of the editors of “As One Voice”.
It can be purchased for download from OCP.
This is a stirring recessional indeed that probably needs a pipe organ, brass and massed voices for its major effect. It can be heard in all its pomp here. It is also very long if you are thinking of singing all six verses, so I think being selective would make sense – perhaps refrain – one verse – refrain and stop! or just the refrain twice.
Refrain
Send us as your blessing, Lord,
Send us in the pow’r of your Spirit,
To live the Good News.
Proclaiming your gospel of peace;
That all the world will come to believe;
Salvation and glory, and wisdom and power
Are yours, are yours.
Salvation and glory and wisdom and power are yours,
Now and forevermore!
Verse 1
Bless the lips of those proclaiming your Holy Word,
With a voice of truth revealing your glory.
That the sound of your Word will be a blessing to all.
Refrain
Verse 2
Bless the ears of all who wait for your Saving Word,
May your voice be heard by those you have chosen.
Make then strong in faith and hope to face the unknown.
Refrain
Verse 3
Be with those whose hands are blessed with your healing pow’r.
Through their touch awaken those in depression,
From their darkness lead them into your light.
Refrain
Verse 4
Bless all those who suffer hours of sickness and pain,
May they feel your caring hand is upon them,
Through their suffering reveal your crucified son.
Refrain
Verse 5
Bless all those in prison for their belief in you.
Be with them and help their lives be your witness.
Let their faith in you grow stronger hour by hour.
Refrain
Verse 6
Bless us all the music makers who sing your praise.
In our songs and music speak to your people;
That the music of heav’n will sound out here on the earth.
Refrain
© Christopher Walker 1987.
A chant by Fr Lucien Deiss – You can read an appreciation of his life here. A snippet of the song can be heard at AOV here.
It is in irregular time, the bane of computer programmed music. You will also notice that the first two verses have a different tune to the last four.
The text is at Cantus Mundi. It can be purchased for download at OCP.
Dan Schutte wrote this very popular song. Based on Ps 91 we have used it all over the liturgy. The harmony starts as an echo before actually harmonising with the main vocal line. There are some minor variations in the lyrics on the net – I’m using the ones in AOV.
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
I was surprised when I heard the original because we certainly haven’t sung it with the bounce he uses. I realised I’ve been doing it in common time rather than cut common and have been giving it a very different feel.
This is how we often do it – a bit slower and 4/4.
I’ve tried to get with the program and I’ve made a backing a bit more like the original intent.
Refrain
Blest be the Lord, blest be the Lord
The God of mercy, the God who saves
I shall not fear the dark of night
Nor the arrow that flies by dayVerse 1
He will release me from the nets of all my foes
He will protect me from their wicked hands
Beneath the shadow of His wings I will rejoice
To find a dwelling place secureRefrain
Verse 2
I need not shrink before the terrors of the night
Nor stand alone before the light of day
No harm shall come to me, no arrow strike me down
No evil settle in my soulRefrain
Verse 3
Although a thousand strong have fallen at my side
I’ll not be shaken with the Lord at hand
His faithful love is all the armor that I need
To wage my battle with the foeRefrain
© Daniel Schutte and New Dawn Music 1976.
Folk stylings from Fr John Foley in the early seventies. We’ve never done it but it has merit as a setting of Ps 16. You can hear the original here. This organ and voice version is great.
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
As for a lot of the songs from the seventies, there are phrases that sound odd – mainly I suspect because we have lost the boldness of the time. Would we use the word “comrades” after the proscription of liberation theology? Does an “alien band” refer to Daft Punk?
Refrain
For you are my God; you alone are my joy.
Defend me, O Lord.
Verse 1
You give marvelous comrades to me:
the faithful who dwell in Your land.
Those who choose alien gods
have chosen an alien band.Refrain
Verse 2
You are my portion and cup;
It is You that I claim for my prize.
Your heritage is my delight,
the lot you have given to me.Refrain
Verse 3
Glad are my heart and my soul;
Securely my body will rest.
For you will not leave me for dead,
Nor lead your beloved astray.Refrain
Verse 4
You show me the path for my life;
In your presence the fullness of joy.
To be at your right hand forever
For me would be happiness always.Refrain
© John Foley SJ 1970.
This is another musical version of an ancient blessing from Numbers 6:22-27, but one we have actually used and found quite singable. This one is by Christopher Walker. The snippet at AOV has all you need to hear. I do it at ~90 bpm. I also add a bar at the end of each time through to keep things peaceful.
May God bless and keep you,
May God’s face shine on you:
May God be kind to you and give you peace.
© Christopher Walker 1988.
This is another song from the seventies that had passed me by. It appears to have been a one hit wonder for Greg Hayakawa and although he was published by OCP there is little other trace of him on the net. The original is available for listening here. I like it’s relaxed style and pleasant harmony vocal.
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
Obviously based on John, there are also nods to Matthew and Ephesians. Easter vigil is it’s natural home as in this clip.
My backing is uke based to keep it light.
Refrain
“I am the Light of the world,” says the Lord;
“They who follow me will have the light of life.”Verse 1
“Arise,” says the Lord,
“Have no fear within you;
for in my presence there will be no darkness.
I am the Light of the world.”Refrain
Verse 2
“Walk in the light,
there is no cause to stumble;
I have come to light the path before you.
I am the Light of the world.”Refrain
Verse 3
“Listen to my words;
they are from the One who sent me:
For you, my friends, are called to share God’s glory.
You are the Light of the world.”
Refrain
© Greg Hayakawa 1978,1979.
Another traditional hymn, this time from the sixteenth century. A setting of Ps 90 by Isaac Watts and William Croft, I don’t think we’ve done it in living memory. AOV leaves out the second verse from the text below. It really needs organ and massed voices as heard here.
1. O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home. 2. Under the shadow of thy throne, still may we dwell secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure. 3. Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame, from everlasting, thou art God, to endless years the same. 4. A thousand ages, in thy sight, are like an evening gone; short as the watch that ends the night, before the rising sun. 5. Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all who breathe away; they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day. 6. O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come; be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.
