Church Music

I have a soft spot for this song because we played it at Christmas every year for a decade or so.  It’s a Christmas song with a text by Shirley Erina Murray from New Zealand and a tune by Carlton R. Young.* I’m not the only one who likes it – see here and here   – well the publisher has to like it:

Shirley Erena Murray, New Zealand’s premier hymnwriter, first introduced the words to “Star-Child” on her Christmas card in 1994. Within 24 hours, Carlton R. Young responded and composed a simple lilting tune to the socially conscious text. Ms. Murray explained the genesis of her poem like this: “The carol grew out of increasing concern at the market values dictating our welfare system, now creating more and more ‘social reject.'” This relevant Christmas anthem can be embellished with various optional instruments or simply sung with piano accompaniment. Either way, the result is glorious.

 

This is the right text with the wrong music. (ie by David Haas) This is the right music and the children are very cute. This is a nice version (the song starts at 2:18).

We found we had to repeat the last two bars an an interlude between verses so I put that in my backing.

Verse 1

Star Child, earth Child, go between of God,

love Child, Christ Child, heaven‘s lighting rod,

This year, this year, let the day arrive

when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive!

Verse 2

Street child, beat child, no place left to go,

hurt child, used child, no one wants to know,

This year, this year, let the day arrive

when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive!

Verse 3

Grown child, old child, memory full of years,

sad child, lost child, story told in tears,

This year, this year, let the day arrive

when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive!

Verse 4

Spared child, spoiled child, memory full of years,

wise child, faith child, knowing joy in store,

This year, this year, let the day arrive

when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive!

Verse 5

Hope-for-peace Child, God‘s stupendous sign,

down-to-earth Child, Star of stars that shine,

This year, this year, let the day arrive

when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive!

© Hope Publishing Co. and Shirley Erena Murray

NB Shirley Erena Murray’s work may be accessed here at Hope Publishing and may be printed as a one off copy. Absolutely no alterations are to be made to the text. Any other use requires permission from the author.

*corrected 24/12/2017 – thanks Lauren Blankers.

Another absolutely wonderful wedding song from John Bell and Graham Maule of the WGRG. Like “Blessing the Marriage” (AOV 2/35) it is to a traditional tune, this time “Slane” (ie the tune for “Be Thou My Vision”). This priest mentions this song when talking about the need to have familiar tunes when people come together for a wedding who usually do not worship together and that is right up John Bell’s street.

The text is just great – I’m still getting over Jesus “taking the roles of waiter and priest”.

God, in the planning and purpose of life,
hallowed the union of husband and wife:
this we embody where love is displayed,
rings are presented and promises made.

Jesus was found, at a similar feast,
taking the roles of both waiter and priest,
turning the worldly towards the divine,
tears into laughter and water to wine.

Therefore we pray that his spirit preside
over the wedding of bridegroom and bride,
fulfilling all that they’ve hoped will come true
lighting with love all they dream of and do.

Praise then the Maker, the Spirit, the Son,
source of the love through which two are made one.
God’s is the glory, the goodness and grace
seen in this marriage and known in this place.

© WGRG, Iona Community, 1989.

http://www.iona.org.uk/wgrg_home.php

This Taize chant by Jacques Berthier is presented in eight languages in AOV. It also known as “Nade te Turbe”.

In English:

Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten,

those who seek God shall never go wanting.

Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten,

God alone fills us.

© Ateliers Et Presses De Taizé

This version is the Spanish one I think.

My version has the usual warning that BIAB and chant are uncomfortable bedfellows:

A traditional style hymn with a text by Delores Dufner from the nineties and a traditional tune (TWENTY FOURTH 86 86). She uses very direct and confronting words.

She talks about hymn writing here – highly recommended.

My backing is hopefully enough to learn the tune and then ignore.

In labour all creation groans till fear and hatred cease,

Till human hearts have understood: In Christ alone is peace.

 

In labour all creation groans till unjust wages cease,

Till poor are clothed and children fed and Christ becomes our peace.

 

In labour all creation groans till prejudice shall cease,

Till every gender, race and creed in Christ will live in peace.

 

In labour all creation groans till violent crime shall cease,

Till force gives way to gentleness and Christ becomes our peace.

 

In labour all creation groans till rape and murder cease,

Till women walk by night unharmed and Christ is this world’s peace.

 

In labour all creation groans till false divisions cease,

Till differences are reconciled in Christ who is our peace.

 

In labour all creation groans God’s justice to increase.

When right in place of might prevails then Christ will be our peace.

© Delores Duffner 1993.

The songs by John Bell and his colleagues at WGRG really lift this collection, because, apart from their quality, there are very different to the rest.  On the other hand they are rarely easily mastered with BIAB, as you can tell from the snippet at AOV.

It is a setting of Ps147 and is as well as being in AOV Vol 2, you can buy it in “Psalms of Patience, Protest and Praise”. In that Bell notes that the psalm “deals with the graciousness of God in caring for exiles and broken people, as well as the generosity of God in providing sustenance for the earth.” It appears Bell adapted a tune called “Glendon”.

If you get a chance to see John Bell’s DVD “Singing the Unsung” he devotes a session to singing the psalms.

Antiphon

Sing to God with joy and gladness,

hymns and psalms of gratitude;

with the voice of praise discover

that to worship God is good.

Verse 1

God unites his scattered people,

gathers those who wandered far,

heals the hurt and broken spirits,

tending every wound and scar.

Antiphon

Verse 2

Such is God’s great power and wisdom

none can calculate or tell;

keen is God to ground the wicked

and with humble folk to dwell.

Antiphon

Verse 3

God, with clouds, the sky has curtained,

thus ensuring rain shall fall;

earth, responding, grows to order

food for creatures great and small.

Antiphon

Verse 4

God’s discernment never favours

strength or speed to lift or move;

God delights in those who fear him,

trusting in his steadfast love.

Antiphon

© WGRG, Iona Community, 1993.

http://www.iona.org.uk/wgrg_home.php

Another song for children, this time by Marta McRae. Apart from being American and published by OCP, there is little about her on the net. This song appears to be written for a specific task – a greeting song, perhaps for confirmation and first Eucharist classes. There is a snippet to hear at AOV.

Refrain

In God’s circle of love we hold onto each other;

I can see God’s love through you.

In God’s circle of love we learn to love each other;

Each of us is special, in God’s circle of love.

Verse

Oh, yes [or name of child] did you know

that you are very special;

You’re so special to us all.

Oh, come if you will to our circle of love;

Each of us is special in God’s circle of love.

Refrain

© Marta McRae 1985

A song for children by Christopher Walker. The snippet at OCP lets you know what you’re in for! It is fine idea as an entrance for a childrens’ Mass or for a second rite of reconciliation.

It can be purchased for download at OCP.

Refrain
Children of God in one family,
loved by God in one family.
And no matter what we do
God loves me and God loves you.
Children of God in one family,
loved by God in one family.
And no matter what we do
God loves me and you.

1. Jesus teaches us to love.
Sometimes we get it wrong.
But God forgives us ev’ry time
for we belong to the (refrain)

2. Jesus wants us to forgive.
Sometimes we get it wrong.
But God forgives us ev’ry time
for we belong to the

3. Jesus wants us to be kind.
Sometimes we get it wrong.
But God forgives us ev’ry time
for we belong to the (refrain)

4. Jesus wants us to be truthful.
Sometimes we get it wrong.
But God forgives us ev’ry time
for we belong to the (refrain)

5. Jesus wants us to be sorry.
Sometimes we get it wrong.
But God forgives us ev’ry time
for we belong to the (refrain)

© Christopher Walker 1988.

This is a gentle social justice song from John Coleman. Listen to the excerpt at AOV. The lyrics are simple yet cover much of life … lovely.

It can be purchased for download at As One Voice.

 Verse 1

You are there when we call on your name.

You are there, always the same.

You are there in the softness of the rain,

always there.

You are there at the end of a life.

You are there to lead us to light.

You are there at the baby’s first cry,

always there, always there.

Verse 2

You are there like a mist on a hill.

You are there in the fac’tries and mills.

You are there for the beggar and the king,

always there.

You are there in the forests and streets.

You are there in the faces we meet.

You are there in the hungry and weak,

always there, always there.

Verse 3

You are there when we call on your name.

You are there, always the same.

You are there in the softness of the rain,

always there, always there.

© John Coleman 1989.

An unexpectedly delightful tune to bless a marriage from John Bell and Graham Maule at the Wild Goose Resource Group. Set to the traditional Sussex Carol, it would enhance any wedding. Get the flavour in the acappella snippet at the AOV site.

Verse 1

That human life might richer be,

That children may be named and known,

That love finds its own sanctuary,

That those in love stay not alone,

Refrain

Praise, praise the Maker, Spirit, Son,

Blessing this marriage now begun.

Verse 2

As two we love are wed this day

And we stand witness to their vow,

We call on God, the Trinity,

To sanctify their pledges now.

Refrain

Verse 3

Parents and families they leave,

Their own family to make;

And, sharing what their pasts have taught,

They shape it for the future’s sake.

Refrain

Verse 4

This is as God meant it to be,

That man and woman should be as one,

And live in love and love through life,

As Christ on earth has taught and done.

Refrain

Verse 5

Then, bless the bridegroom, bless the bride,

The dreams they dream, the hopes they share;

And thank the Lord whose love inspires

The joy their lips and ours declare.

Refrain

© WGRG, Iona Community, 1989.

http://www.iona.org.uk/wgrg_home.php

A song based on Job the Psalms and Isaiah from Scott Soper. You can hear the original here. It survives without a cantor (eg here)

1. I know that my Redeemer lives, the One who calls me home.
I long to see God face to face, to see with my own eyes.

Refrain: Cantor/All repeat
I know that my Redeemer lives, that I shall rise again.

2. I know that I shall one day see the goodness of the Lord,
when God will wipe away our tears, and death will be no more.

3. The last day I shall rise again, shall be remade like God.
My home shall be by God’s own side, the dying, rising Lord.

© Scott Soper 1990.