Church Music

At this point I was going to have a look at songs from The Comforter album by Paul Gurr, which is largely composed of Brian Boniwell songs, but in the interim I have a come across a copy of the full sheet music to that collection and will do the whole thing together in the future. Since some of the Boniwell songs in PTG are melody line only and I was making up my own chords for the backings, I’d rather revisit them with the proper chords and get it right.

Which leads me to a collection of songs by Loreto sisters, Throw Open Your Hearts, from which PTG picked two songs, including this one from Anne Kelly IBVM. Anne Kelly is Paul Kelly’s older sister so music runs in the family. This is an entrance song conveniently noted to be in march time.

The words and sheet music are at Catholic Utopia.

Neither of these backings is suitable for much more than learning the tune.

This is also a folk styled Peter Kearney song from the collection, Songs of the Lord’s Travellers, which was collected for the Praise to God parish hymn book. Unlike yesterday’s song there is a Bandcamp post so you can listen to how it is meant to go and find the lyrics. He also sells the sheet music at his site.

The other song from this collection in PTG was “Where Is Your Song”, which I have already blogged as it was also in As One Voice.

This is a folk song based on Exodus that Kearney recommends for Lent.

In PTG there is melody line and no chords, so I made them up – I thought there was only two in the whole song initially but I found a third in the chorus. I would suggest you listen to his version and buy the sheet music, rather than rely on my guesses and also the sheet music in PTG is probably inadequate.

I was off work unwell a few weeks ago and when I am ill I do a lot of backings as something to do. That does mean they can be a little odd.

This is a rather obscure Peter Kearney song from 1987 from the album Songs of the Lord’s Travellers, that was selected for the Praise to God parish hymn book.

It is a lovely restful tune, but I can’t find it on any of Kearney’s web sites, so if you want the sheet music it would be best to contact him directly, as I suspect all sources are out of print. I think it is just about my favourite song I have heard from him and it would be nice if he could post it on his Bandcamp site – I could take down the lyrics then!

For the moment you could sing a long with my backing:

1 Come all of you here who are weary,

Who are tired from the journey and long for rest;

Come to me all you weary ones,

And I will give you all the rest you need.

2 Come all of you who are worried,

Who are deep in your troubles and pressed for time;

Come to me all you worried ones,

And I will give you all the time you need.

3 Come all of you who are lonely,

Who are sealed in your living and search for love;

Come to me all you lonely ones,

And I will give you all the love you need.

4 Come all of you here who are falling,

Who are tied to your failings and fear each day;

Come to me all you falling ones,

And I will give you all the strength you need.

5 Come all of you here who are weary,

Who are tired from the journey and far from home;

Come to me all you travelling ones,

And I will give you all the home you need.

While they sourced the anonymous song, ” I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” from the collection, Songs of Praise from the Word of God movement, the Dominican Fathers showed they knew how to play the game by transcribing their own arrangement and claiming copyright.

There are many variations on the text, with word order changing all over the place – below is the PTG version. It may be of Indian origin.

The sheet music is here.

Do we decide?

1 I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.
No turning back, no turning back!

2 Though none go with me, still I will follow.
Though none go with me, still I will follow.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back!

3 The cross before me, the world behind me.
The cross before me, the world behind me.

The cross before me, the world behind me.
No turning back, no turning back.

The Praise to God parish hymnal found some of their material in collections like Songs of Praise from the “Word of God” movement in the USA.

This song by Donald Kopinski is an adaptation of Isaiah 60, oddly enough. It has a lot of Yahweh’s in it that would need to be substituted for current use. It could be a rousing entrance.

The text is in this booklet. I can’t find the sheet music for sale anywhere, but it has been posted on the internet.

The editors of the Praise to God parish hymn book found another Peter Kearney somg for their book, this time from the eighties and his collection, “Signs of Hope”.

This one is a Irish sounding sung prayer and you can hear his version and get the text at his bandcamp site. The sheet music can be purchased at Kearney’s site.

This is a cover:

In 1977, the monks of Weston Priory were still in folk mode and singing songs by Gregory Norbet. This song, from the album Spirit Alive, was chosen to be in the Praise to God parish hymnal.

The text is at the priory’s site and they will sell you the music book too.

I’d bring it down to F at least from Ab. I suspect there is a useable song/prayer under the monkishness. I wonder if they are still circle dancing.

This was another Peter Kearney selection from way back in 1966 that was used by the Praise to God parish hymn book.

You can hear his version and his updated lyrics at his bandcamp site, where he provides some background information. He sells the sheet music at his website. It’s nice to find songs actually still in print or just available to purchase for download.

My backing follows his instruction “slowly” – maybe too slowly.

Peter Kearney had been famous in the Australian Catholic music scene long before he had songs collected for this hymnal – the Praise to God parish hymn book. The editors selected three songs from Kearney’s album, Songs of Brotherhood from 1966. The one I know is “Beatitudes”, which is in CWB II and GA.

“Fill My House” was apparently even more popular but, having been a Presbyterian and in Grade One at the time, it passed me by and none of the churches I have played at have ever used this song. My wife, the cradle catholic knew it instantly however. Having only guitars as musical options locally, folk songs like this one have appeal.

Peter provides the text at his Bandcamp site, where you can listen to his version. You can purchase the sheet music at his website. Over the years it appears many assemblies have removed some of the bars between the lines.

I made a backing that is faithful to the original arrangement:

I found YouTube clips from all around the world for this one.

There is another Willow song from before As One Voice that was collected by the Praise to God parish hymnal and it is Trish Watts and Monica O’Brien’s, “One For Others” from the album Take Shelter.

Even though this is aimed at young people, the lyrics are still thoughtful and pastoral.

The sheet music is still at Willow, where you can hear a sample of the track in all it’s eighties synth glory.

My backing attempts to out synth theirs.

Chorus

We’re God’s family, God’s children, lift up your voice;

We’re God’s family, God’s chosen, let your heart rejoice!

United in the Spirit, United in the Son.

We’ll be one for others! One in the Lord!

1 Have you ever been lonely?

Bewildered by the way in which life’s going?

Know it is true, someone is loving you, together we’ll see it through.

Remember the hope that’s been given to you, so reach out!

Reach out! This way is true.

Chorus

2 We are longing for wholeness, expand our minds to know the heart of Jesus.

Show us the way, reveal it this day, together as one we’ll stay.

Claiming the joy we’ve found in your name, so reach out!

Reach out! We proclaim.

Chorus

© 1987 Willow Music