We’ve used this quite a lot and it has the advantage as a second communion song of being very adjustable to match the liturgical flow. It is by Maggie Russell and you can hear the sample at AOV here. It has a solo part for flute, which is lovely if you have a tame flautist. Guitarist should play it capo 3 in G and save your poor aching hand. This one is good for singing without instruments as well.
Take and eat, this is my body.
Take and drink, this is my life blood.
Whenever you share this meal with others
Do so in memory of me.
Another song by Robyn Horner. You can hear the excerpt at AOV here. It is based on Ps147 and 139. The tune of the verses varies somewhat to fit the text.
What a lovely idea from Fr Kevin Bates. I remember sung graces from my youth (not Catholic) like “Be Present at our Table Lord.”
The first and second parts of these two part rounds have different chords, but I’m not sure that would be a problem. They remind me of something Tolkien’s creations might sing.
Gathered ’round our table hearts and voices raised in song.
Thanking God for all we share; thanking God who calls us here.
Gift of food, gift of time; God of grace, we thank you.
Love it is that brings us here. God all love we thank you.
Like a tiny seed we grow, fed by love and mercy.
Sun and rain and love’s good soil will see our fruitful growing.
A song for Australian churches only, although perhaps it should be made mandatory in the Northern Hemisphere so they get a taste of what singing something from the wrong hemisphere is all about – welcome to our world. It is by Geoff Bullock who has had a remarkable journey. The sample at AOV shows what it is meant to sound like. This is Geoff Bullock doing it live and somewhat faster. This is a nice guitar version.
My backing is a slower one, at 65 bpm.
1. This Is Our Nation, This Is Our Land
This Is Our Future, This Is Our Hope
A Land Of Reaping, A Land Of Harvest
This Is Our Land, This Is Our Home
Chorus This Is The Great Southland Of The Holy Spirit
A Land Of Red Dust Plains And Summer Rains
To This Sun-Burnt Land We Will See A Flood
And To This Great Southland His Spirit Comes
2. This Is Our Nation, This Is Our Land
This Land Of Plenty, This Land Of Hope
The Richest Harvest Is In Her Peoples
We See Revival, His Spirit Comes
(Chorus)
3. This Is Our Nation, This Is Our Land
This Lucky Country Of Dreams Gone Dry
And To These Peoples, We See A Harvest
And To This Land, Revival Comes
This is a song by David Haas I have never run across. There is a sample at AOV to get the idea. This appears to be the full song, but I prefer the version this choir is practicing. It is a lovely tune.
This is a chant by Michael Mangan, which is sung by children in the sample at AOV, so I suppose it is meant for children. An extra harmony is added every second line so it would also be useful as a musical teaching tool.
This is Marty Haugen‘s take on Ps 136. There is a sample at AOV but don’t let that put you off. It looks like the whole song can be heard at Myspace, but I can’t find any other versions and I’m sure it would sound fine sung normally.
The text is here. (scroll down) It can be purchased in a collection of psalms at GIA.
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.
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.
