Church Music

This song by Peter Grant is called simply “Communion” at the AOV site where a taste of the song can be heard here. I blogged his “Mass for a Pilgrim People” here and he is an Australian liturgical musician whose work should be better known. I’m not sure why we haven’t used this piece, as a good Eucharist song is always in demand.

It can be purchased for download at As One Voice.

My backing is at 96 bpm.

Verse 1

We see bread and wine before us,

But hidden there from our view

Lies the flesh and blood of Jesus

Now sacrificed for us anew.

Refrain

Jesus, we bring to you our bodies.

Jesus, we bring to you our souls,

Needing nourishment, needing healing

Seeking peace.

Verse 2

On the night before he suffered

He took the bread into his hands,

Giving thanks and praise he broke it

Saying “Take and eat, this is my body.”

Refrain

Verse 3

And when supper was then ended

He took the wine, again gave thanks,

Saying “Take and drink of my cup,

This is my blood to be shed for you.”

Refrain

© Peter Grant

We use Donald Fishel’s Alleluia No. 1, but this one is new to me. The text has a general application beyond the obvious Easter vigil use. You can hear a piano + choir version here that is quite slow – the snippet at AOV is more up tempo. My backing is at 80 bpm.

Refrain
The light of Christ has come into the world
The light of Christ has come into the world

1. All men must be born again
to see the Kingdom of God
The water and the Spirit
bring new life in God’s love

Refrain

2. God gave up His only Son
out of love for the world
So that all men who believe
in Him will live forever

Refrain

3. The light of God has come to us
so that we might have salvation
From the darkness of our sins
we walk into glory with Christ Jesus

Refrain

© Donald Fishel 1974, 1982.

This song by Fr Kevin Bates is sung extremely frequently at our church – it is a reliable eucharist song that everyone knows and will sing. I doubt it is well known outside Australia but it probably should be.

The snippet at AOV reveals a very gentle guitar based folk song that you will have trouble matching with the assembly.  This is one of the songs at AOV that can be bought as a single download, which is handy if you don’t want the whole collection.

I also noted that the singer wasn’t following the music slavishly. This makes me feel a little better, because neither do we. The very pretty introduction has a bar of 2/4 before the verse commences – we have always ignored that and stayed in 3/4 the whole way. Also, the second verse has a change in the tune for “food for the journey” which we have steadfastly ignored for years. I did put it in my backing just to hear what it should sound like but I don’t think we can sing it that way now.

Verse 1

Take of my bread and eat, drink my new wine.
Take of my life and live, branch of my vine.

Let me befriend you now; eat take your fill.
Don’t be afraid to dream; love has its will.

Verse 2

Take up your burden now, walk ’til you find
Just what the journey means; walk while there’s time.

Food for the journey will answer your need.
Don’t be afraid to walk; love, my love will lead.

Verse 3

Take of my bread and eat, drink my new wine.
Be a sweet nourishment to good friends of mine.

Let me befriend you now; eat, take your fill.
Share with your people, that love has its will.

Verse 4

Take of my bread and eat, drink my new wine.
Take of my life and live, branch of my vine.

© Kevin Bates 1985.

A folk styling of Ps 100 from the sixties by Lucien Deiss.

In the AOV snippet 1 1/2 bars of 6/8 are added at the end of the refrain before the verses commence and so I’ve added that to my backing.  BIAB added an intro of 2 bars: A F#m, D E7sus.

The text is available here. (scroll down) It can be purchased for download from OCP.

More imposing music from Christopher Walker.  It is a setting of Ps 118 with a major Easter application.

It can be purchased for download at OCP.

A snippet at AOV hints at the organ, brass and massed voices that is the natural home of this song. A more modest, but nice, illustration of a more normal church experience can be heard here. The verses lend themselves to cantor/assembly, but the repetitions would survive being sung by all.

Refrain
This day was made by the Lord,
let us rejoice, let us be glad.
This day was made by the Lord,
let us rejoice in salvation!

Verse 1

I thank you, your love is eternal,
you have given me life.
You have given me life.
I will proclaim the wonders you do!

Refrain

Verse 2

Your hand raised me up in triumph,
you have given me life.
You have given me life.
I will proclaim the wonders you do!

Refrain

Verse 3

The stone which the builders rejected
is the cornerstone,
is the cornerstone.
I will proclaim the wonders you do!

Refrain

Verse 4

You opened the gates of heaven,
you have given me life.
You have given me life.
I will proclaim the wonders you do!

Refrain

Verse 5

You are my strength and my Savior,
you have given me life.
You have given me life.
I will proclaim the wonders you do!

Refrain

© Christopher Walker 1988,1989.

PS Merry Christmas

We played at mass last night and this morning with all our family home and able to sing together – are rarity these days. It good to hear all the voices raised in song.

More seventies goodness from Dan Schutte, who has written what has always sounded to me a real country song. Based on various sources in Isaiah, it is lively enough for a recessional although the first two verses should do for that.

It can be purchased for download at OCP.

You can listen to the original here. You would never guess from my backing but the chorus is noisy and the verse restrained until the last line builds up to get you back to the chorus.

Refrain

Though the mountains may fall and the hills turn to dust,

Yet the love of the Lord will stand

As a shelter for all who will call on His name.

Sing the praise and the glory of God!

Verse 1

Could the Lord ever leave you? Could the Lord forget His love?

Though a mother forsake her child, He will not abandon you.

Refrain

Verse 2

Should you turn and forsake Him, He will gently call your name.

Should you wander away from Him, He will always take you back.

Refrain

Verse 3

Go to Him when you’re weary; He will give you eagle’s wings.

You will run, never tire, for your God will be your strength.

Refrain

Verse 4

As He swore to your fathers, when the flood destroyed the land;

He will never forsake you; He will swear to you again.

Refrain

© Daniel Schutte and New Dawn Music 1975.

Christopher Walker was certainly a favourite of the editors of “As One Voice”.

It can be purchased for download from OCP.

This is a stirring recessional indeed that probably needs a pipe organ, brass and massed voices for its major effect. It can be heard in all its pomp here. It is also very long if you are thinking of singing all six verses, so I think being selective would make sense – perhaps refrain – one verse – refrain and stop!   or just the refrain twice.

Refrain

Send us as your blessing, Lord,

Send us in the pow’r of your Spirit,

To live the Good News.

Proclaiming your gospel of peace;

That all the world will come to believe;

Salvation and glory, and wisdom and power

Are yours, are yours.

Salvation and glory and wisdom and power are yours,

Now and forevermore!

Verse 1

Bless the lips of those proclaiming your Holy Word,

With a voice of truth revealing your glory.

That the sound of your Word will be a blessing to all.

Refrain

Verse 2

Bless the ears of all who wait for your Saving Word,

May your voice be heard by those you have chosen.

Make then strong in faith and hope to face the unknown.

Refrain

Verse 3

Be with those whose hands are blessed with your healing pow’r.

Through their touch awaken those in depression,

From their darkness lead them into your light.

Refrain

Verse 4

Bless all those who suffer hours of sickness and pain,

May they feel your caring hand is upon them,

Through their suffering reveal your crucified son.

Refrain

Verse 5

Bless all those in prison for their belief in you.

Be with them and help their lives be your witness.

Let their faith in you grow stronger hour by hour.

Refrain

Verse 6

Bless us all the music makers who sing your praise.

In our songs and music speak to your people;

That the music of heav’n will sound out here on the earth.

Refrain

© Christopher Walker 1987.

A chant by Fr Lucien Deiss – You can read an appreciation of his life here. A snippet of the song can be heard at AOV here.

It is in irregular time, the bane of computer programmed music. You will also notice that the first two verses have a different tune to the last four.

The text is at Cantus Mundi. It can be purchased for download at OCP.

Dan Schutte wrote this very popular song. Based on Ps 91 we have used it all over the liturgy.  The harmony starts as an echo before actually harmonising with the main vocal line. There are some minor variations in the lyrics on the net – I’m using the ones in AOV.

It can be purchased for download at OCP.

I was surprised when I heard the original because we certainly haven’t sung it with the bounce he uses.  I realised I’ve been doing it in common time rather than cut common and have been giving it a very different feel.

This is how we often do it –  a bit slower and 4/4.

I’ve tried to get with the program and I’ve made a backing a bit more like the original intent.

Refrain

Blest be the Lord, blest be the Lord
The God of mercy, the God who saves
I shall not fear the dark of night
Nor the arrow that flies by day

Verse 1

He will release me from the nets of all my foes
He will protect me from their wicked hands
Beneath the shadow of His wings I will rejoice
To find a dwelling place secure

Refrain

Verse 2

I need not shrink before the terrors of the night
Nor stand alone before the light of day
No harm shall come to me, no arrow strike me down
No evil settle in my soul

Refrain

Verse 3

Although a thousand strong have fallen at my side
I’ll not be shaken with the Lord at hand
His faithful love is all the armor that I need
To wage my battle with the foe

Refrain

© Daniel Schutte and New Dawn Music 1976.

Folk stylings from Fr John Foley in the early seventies. We’ve never done it but it has merit as a setting of Ps 16. You can hear the original here.  This organ and voice version is great.

It can be purchased for download at OCP.

As for a lot of the songs from the seventies, there are phrases that sound odd – mainly I suspect because we have lost the boldness of the time.  Would we use the word “comrades” after the proscription of liberation theology?  Does an “alien band” refer to Daft Punk?

Refrain

For you are my God; you alone are my joy.

Defend me, O Lord.

Verse 1

You give marvelous comrades to me:
the faithful who dwell in Your land.
Those who choose alien gods
have chosen an alien band.

Refrain

Verse 2

You are my portion and cup;
It is You that I claim for my prize.
Your heritage is my delight,
the lot you have given to me.

Refrain

Verse 3

Glad are my heart and my soul;
Securely my body will rest.
For you will not leave me for dead,
Nor lead your beloved astray.

Refrain

Verse 4

You show me the path for my life;
In your presence the fullness of joy.
To be at your right hand forever
For me would be happiness always.

Refrain

© John Foley SJ 1970.