Church Music

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.

A folk song from the sixties from Sydney Carter, a songwriter best known for “Lord of the Dance.” His Guardian obituary is fascinating.

The kingdom of heaven as a journey is well sung in this allusive song where the repetition is very effective.  We must sing it occasionally because I had already made a backing for it – I made it a while ago and I don’t think I can do better.

Chorus

Travel on, travel on, there’s a spirit that is flowing,

a spirit that is flowing night and day.

Verse 1

Travel on, travel on with the spirit that is growing,

the spirit will be with us all the way.

Travel on, travel on with the river that is flowing,

the spirit will be with us all the way.

Chorus

Verse 2

Travel on, travel on there’s a spirit that is growing.

The spirit grows like flowers night and day.

Travel on, travel on with the flower that is growing.

The spirit will be with us all the way.

Chorus

Verse 3

Travel on, travel on, there’s a spirit that is playing.

The spirit plays like music every day.

Travel on, travel on with the music that is playing.

The spirit will be with us all the way.

Chorus

Verse 4

In the Kingdom of heav’n is our end and our beginning

and the road that we must follow every day.

Travel on, travel on to the kingdom that is coming.

The Kingdom will be with us all the way.

© Stainer & Bell Ltd 1969,1972.

This is a Marty Haugen song I’ve never got quite right.  This is what it is meant to sound like. I always played it 4/4 instead of cut common and that makes it flounder somewhat. You have to admire the guts of Haugen – this song is little more than “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and he even hints at that with the lyric “Twinkling star and burning sun.” Nevertheless, it is in high rotation as a joyful recessional around here.

The text is at spiritandsong. It can be purchased for download at OCP and in a collection at GIA.

I’m not sure if my jug band version is “light and dancing” but I hope I’ve fixed the timing problem somewhat with this backing:

This traditional sounding hymn, a setting of Ps 139, was written in the nineties by Bernadette Farrell. Listen to it here. You can hear what an average church sounds like singing it here and here. If you want feel really inadequate listen to this magnificent version from Songs of Praise.

It can be purchased for download at OCP.

1. O God, you search me and you know me.
All my thoughts lie open to your gaze.
When I walk or lie down you are before me:
Ever the maker and keeper of my days.

2. You know my resting and my rising.
You discern my purpose from afar,
And with love everlasting you besiege me:
In ev’ry moment of life or death, you are.

3. Before a word is on my tongue, Lord,
You have known its meaning through and through.
You are with me beyond my understanding:
God of my present, my past and future, too.

4. Although your Spirit is upon me,
Still I search for shelter from your light.
There is nowhere on earth I can escape you:
Even the darkness is radiant in your sight.

5. For you created me and shaped me,
Gave me life within my mother’s womb.
For the wonder of who I am, I praise you:
Safe in your hands, all creation is made new.

© Bernadette Farrell 1993.

Another gentle folk style song from Fr Kevin Bates. You can get the feel of it from the portion available at AOV. You could pick verses for Advent or Eucharist or just sing the whole thing.

Open hearts and open minds

Give the spirit freedom.

Let God’s dream be born in us –

Let God’s dream be born.

 

Hearts that wonder at the Word

Hear the Word with freedom.

Let God’s Word be gently heard –

Let God’s Word be welcome.

 

Voice and hands that speak the Word

Give the Word with freedom.

Let God’s truth be well explored –

Let God’s truth be spoken.

 

Mary help of Christians hear

Our prayer that we might carry

The Word with open hearts and hands

Enflesh the words for many.

 

Open hearts and open minds

Break the bread of freedom.

Jesus, bread for all our needs,

Break our heart gifts open.

 

Come, Lord Jesus, live in us.

Come to life among us.

Let us breathe your Spirit free.

Be the gift we carry.

 

Open hearts and open minds

Give the spirit freedom.

Let God’s dream be born in us –

Let God’s dream be born.

© Kevin Bates 1991.