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.
My mind is a complete blank about this Michael Joncas song. It looks like a Holy Thursday song, but could be for any Eucharist, as it really is material for about five songs, just pick a verse of two.
GIA sell it in this collection, but it is also in Gather Australia and Gather Comprehensive, I gather.
I have no idea how it is supposed to sound so my backing is rather speculative.
Coincidentally the next song in the miscellaneous folder is another Monica Brown song. It may have been from a school liturgy from when my children were younger. This one does sound like a children’s song, although the lyrics are solid enough from a liturgical perspective.
You can hear a sample and buy the music at Emmaus.
This is a very wonderful song by Monica Brown that we used to sing quite a lot but haven’t lately. It is more subtle and gentle than most. I’m sure you will find many situations where the words resonate.
It is available in “A Special Collection” on CD and music book at Emmaus.
Verse 1
Mothering and fathering, giving birth and protecting,
Nurturing and empowering love itself.
Chorus
Oh, God how shall You be named?
You are so much more than we could ever dare to dream.
Verse 2
Gentler than the falling spray, stronger than the mountain face,
Whispering and thundering life that is.
Chorus
Verse 3
Pondering and proclaiming, fashioning and creating,
Sheltering and unfolding deepest mysteries.
Chorus
Verse 4
Brighter than the morning sun, deeper than the deepest night,
Balancing and holding firm all that is.
Chorus
You are so much more than we could ever dare to dream.
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.
