Church Music

Paul Baloche provides No 103 in AOV NG, “Open the Eyes of My Heart.”  There isn’t a lot lyrically to this song but it’s not a bad pop song.  I prefer his “Flowing River” which has more liturgical uses I think, but this is OK.  It must be because everyone seems to have done a version of it – just check YouTube.  Baloche’s version is here.

The sheet music in AOV NG has a glitch on p325, 2nd line – going into the second repeat can’t be right, there has to be a missing bit of the note left over from the previous bar.

The song can be purchased for download at spiritandsong.

My backing follows the printed music but the last bit could be repeated until the end of time if desired.

Open the eyes of my heart Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart,
I want to see You. I want to see You. (4x)
To see You high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your power and love,
As we sing holy, holy, holy.

Open the eyes of my heart Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart,
I want to see You. I want to see You. (2x)
To see You high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your power and love,
As we sing holy, holy, holy.

Holy, holy holy. Holy, holy, holy.
Holy, holy, holy, I want to see You.

© Integrity’s Hosanna! Music 1997.

No 102 in AOV NG is another winner from Amanda McKenna.  A great pop song but also an entrance or communion song.

Chorus

One Body in Christ

Called to share the Good News with the world.

Each of us gifted, made in God’s image,

We have a story to tell, a story of love.

Verse 1

We have been baptized in Christ,

The love of our God poured into our hearts.

Called to share the mission of Christ,

The Spirit of God alive in our hearts;

To be a light of welcome in the darkness of exclusion,

An out-stretched hand of love to ev’ryone.

Chorus

Verse 2

To give voice to the voiceless,

The unheard in the wilderness,

An outstretched hand of love to ev’ryone.

Chorus

a story of love.

© Amanda McKenna 2007.

Since the rest of Haugen’s Mass of Creation is pretty much the same as previously, it’s back to AOV NG.

No 101 is a funk hymn, “On and On” written by Steve McGregor and sung by his Re: Mission Choir on the CD.  You can see them perform the song live here.

Verse 1

I’m gonna make a noise,

I’m gonna make a joyful sound.

I’m gonna sing my soul,

I’m gonna sing so all may know

Chorus

The Lord is good and his mercy everlasting;

The Lord his truth goes on and on.

Verse 2

I’m gonna dance for joy,

I’m gonna dance before my king.

I’m gonna move my feet,

I’m gonna move in time and rhythm,

Chorus

Verse 3

I’m gonna bring my praise,

I’m gonna come into his courts.

I’m gonna lift my voice,

I’m gonna lift my arms and wave them

Chorus

© Steve McGregor 1996.

I’ve picked the “When We Eat This Bread” acclamation.

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

we proclaim your Death, O Lord,

until you come again.

The tune is changed to accomodate the few word changes but most of it is intact and very familiar.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

We’ve never used this either so again it is just a new song to learn.  I have chosen the response for ordinary time.

Alleluia x8

Speak, O Lord, your servant is listening;

You have the words of everlasting life.

Alleluia x8

Our local liturgical committee has made a decision that we will use the revised Mass of Creation as one of our new settings for the parts of the Mass.  This is for largely practical reasons.  We have never done this Gloria before, so we don’t have to unlearn the old version.  The Sanctus has only minor changes, as does the Lamb of God so it was thought it would be less of a challenge.

Refrain

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to people of good will.

Verse 1

We praise you,

we bless you,

we adore you,

we glorify you,

we give you thanks for your great glory,

Lord God, heavenly King,

O God, almighty Father.

Refrain

 Verse 2

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us;

you take away the sins of the world,

receive our prayer;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father,

have mercy on us.

Refrain

 Verse 3

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.  Amen.

Refrain

Inspired by the AOV conference last year, we are trying out sessions to enhance our singing and praising at St Edward the Confessor Daisy Hill.

They will be at 7pm on Friday nights from May 13th.  We will be learning new songs from As One Voice the Next Generation and participating in John Bell’s DVD program, “Singing the Unsung.”

It should be fun and definitely not music practice.  All are welcome even if you think you can’t sing (You can – just read the ten golden rules available here.)

100 not out

Amanda McKenna’s “No Hands but Ours,” is No 100 in AOV NG.  An uptempo update of St Theresa’s prayer (and St Francis’s as well).  AOV suggests its use for confirmation or recessional and that’s fine by me.

The sheet music can be purchased for download at As One Voice.

Chorus

Christ has no hands but ours,

No feet for the journey but ours.

We have been called to bring God’s love into this world.

Christ has no dreams but ours,

No eyes of compassion but ours,

We are his body here on earth to bless the world,

Bless the world.

Verse 1

Where there’s hatred and injustice,

Make us channels of your peace.

Be the face of Christ to others,

Shining for all to see.

Chorus

Verse 2

When it’s peace that we are seeking

Then it’s peace-filled we must be.

Show our love for one another,

Shining for all to see.

Chorus

Verse 3

Sing sweetly to the Father

And the Son who set us free.

Holy Spirit be our loving,

Shining for all to see.

Chorus (minus the last “bless the world”)

With no eyes but ours and no feet but ours,

No hands but ours

To bless the world

© Amanda McKenna 2007.

Trisha Watts in country swing mode gives us “Never Hide Your Love,” no 99 in AOV NG.  I like this a lot – it still has her trade mark accidentals and quirkiness despite being in a fairly set song style.  I reckon it would work for gifts if you are looking for a liturgical excuse to use it.  Otherwise around a campfire with friends would be even better.

This was apparently written for Saint Mary of the Cross (Mackillop) a big fan of country music.  You can see the super group of Trish Watts, Gina Ogilvie and Amanda McKenna perform the song here.

My only concern is the last line of the first verse, “we’re doing the best that we can” is not the best Trisha can do. Let’s look for alternatives:

eg

finding diamonds amongst the sand

or

given with wide open hands

or

and working on our tan

…perhaps it is harder than it looks.

Refrain

Never see a need without doing something about it.

Never hide your love without doing what you can.

Travel the Dreamtime tracks if you dare,

Find the sacred living there.

Never hide your love without doing what you can.

Verse 1

We are travellers here in this ancient land,

Offering hope and healing,

We’re doing the best that we can.

Refrain

Verse 2

Watch the little children, they’ll show the way.

Open your heart to freedom,

Reach out in love today.

Refrain

© Trisha Watts 2008.