Church Music

No 124 in AOV NG is Matt Redman’s, “The Heart of Worship.” It sounds like a mea culpa for all his P&W noise making but is more likely just a song that suits a mood of worship that is not assisted by more uplifting songs.  You can hear his version here.

A lot of praise and worship material has sheet music arrangements all over the web and this is no exception (eg here). It can be purchased for download at several sites on the net including onlinesheetmusic.

Verse 1

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless your heart

Prechorus

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You’re looking into my heart

Refrain

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
All about You, Jesus
I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You
It’s all about You Jesus

Verse 2

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

Prechorus

Refrain

It’s all about you, Jesus.
It’s all about you, Jesus

© Thankyou Music 1999,2001,2003.

“The Call” is another song from James Maher msc and is No 123 in AOV NG.  It is one of those songs we aren’t meant to sing, because it is sung from the perspective of God. Since this requires imagination, this song is only accessible and a consolation for those possessing the charism of thought.  In other words it’s fine.

There is a whole James Maher concert on Youtube that includes this song at 13:43.  Julie Jenkins sings the version on the CD and it has to be her singing on this live version as well.  The technical quality of this concert is extraordinary and contains versions of other James Maher compositions I’ve done backings for, “Closer Than You Know,” and “Spirit of Heaven.”

Refrain 

You are the one that I love.

Yours is the hunger I feed.

Yours is the life, yours is the living.

You are the one that I love. (Rpt)

Verse 1

Try to let your fear dissolve.

Let my spirit hold your heart.

Love your hidden self and let it live.

Come to me, be with me.

Feel the ease of trusting me.

Together we have bread to break and give.

Refrain

Verse 2

Hear the call I’ve given you,

Though at times it pierces you,

It will not fade as other voices do.

The heart of you remains with you;

My choice of you, my claim on you.

Embrace your life so others may live too.

Refrain x2

The one that I love

© James Maher msc 2002.

What a lovely reflective (and short song). I’m referring to No 122 in AOV NG, “Take This Day.”  It was written by Penny Elsley, who appears to be remarkable and versatile young lady.  My backing for once avoids overdoing things.

Take this night and take this day,

Let all sorrows fade away.

With you always I will be,

For you are my own,

For you are my own.

Be still and know that I am God,

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am God,

In the silence where I am,

In the silence where I am.

© Penny Elsey 2008.

No 121 in AOV NG is “Sweet Redeemer,” by Steve Angrisano and Sarah Hart, who are both big news in the States. This is a reconciliation song and a fine pop song too.

It is available for purchase for download at spiritandsong.

This is different to the version on the AOV NG CD which leaves out verse 2.  It has a lovely fiddle part that I have tried to do in MIDI in the backing…sigh.

Verse 1

King of Kings, blessed Jesus,
hand of mercy, giver of grace;
I have come to sing glory,
to lay my heart before you
in this place.

Refrain
Sweet redeemer,
I surrender all I am to you.
Sweet redeemer,
I surrender all I am to you.

Verse 2

I was lost and you found me;
in the darkness, you were my light.
When I fell down, you forgave me,
lifted me up and held me to your side.

Refrain

Bridge
From the shadows of the tomb
you called me,
you rolled away the stone.
From the burden of my sin
you saved me,
you made my heart your home.

Refrain

© Steve Angrisano 2001.

That’s two Michael John Poirier songs in a row. No 120 in AOV NG is “Strength for the Journey.”  This is another nice song of encouragement, which you can hear here.

The sheet music in AOV NG has an error:

top line p375 there is no note for “strength”

Also while not an error as such, bottom line p376 – suggests it ends at the end of the third verse, which is unlikely and better to follow the CD and finish on the refrain.

He has a lovely piano intro that I have replaced with MIDI harmonica – a regrettable lapse in my taste but I think I almost get away with it.

The text is here.

“Starmaker” is an unusual song from Michael John Poirier, and is No119 in AOV NG.  Laid back yet catchy, it is really just a fine pop song and I have no idea of any liturgical use to which it could be put.  There are images from the Psalms but I don’t think it corresponds enough to any specific psalm to be used there.  I suggest you listen to it on the AOV NG CD if you can or get the song however you can – it is outstanding.

My backing isn’t nearly as sure footed as his version but at least you can learn the song by singing along.

James Maher msc wrote, “Spirit of Heaven” and it is No 118 in As One Voice: the Next Generation.  Phil Simmons sings the song on the CD and I struggle with his style of singing (oh yeahs etc.), but the song lifts in the chorus when he is joined by the other singers.  The song is both a Eucharist song and a Pentecost song in a P&W style.  If you want to hear it how we heard it at the AOV conference last year go here.  Or you could just sing a long to my backing.

Verse 1

We gather in your name,
We gather to give praise.
We gather now to listen for your word.

We gather here as one,
Your pilgrims on the way,
Remembering your promise to be near.

Refrain

Spirit of heaven, fill this place!
Spirit of power, now arise!
Spirit of fire enflame our hearts –
Jesus alive!

Open our minds to know your truth.
Open our lives to live your word.
Make us your witnesses today,
To all the world.

Verse 2

We gather in your name,
We bring to you our lives.
We break the bread in memory of you.

We come just as we are,
Hungry to your feast,
Renew us with your living bread today!

Refrain

© James Maher 2008.

Keith Duke’s chant, “Spirit Divine” is No 117 in AOV NG. I don’t know if I’m getting any better at backings for chants but, as I’ve said before, learn it, then acapella is the way to go.

It can also be purchased as part of a huge collection of chants at Kevin Mayhew.

Spirit of love, enfold and teach us;

Spirit of peace, rest deep within;

Spirit of change, transform and heal us;

Spirit divine;

Spirit divine.

© Kevin Mayhew 2005.

This is not from AOV NG but from the http://songsofpraise.org website and was spotted by my friend Frankie from our parish.  She suggested I listen to it but the MIDI file was unlistenable really.  You can hear that, but more importantly download the sheet music from here.  I trimmed some redundant bits and made a backing that suggests there is a pretty good song in there.

Verse 1

Pour Your Spirit out upon me,
Let Your living water flow.
Let Your river quench my thirsty heart,
Touch me deep within my soul.
Waves of mercy crash upon me
In their wake my strength will grow.
As I wait upon Your Spirit, Lord,
Let Your living water flow!

Verse 2

Pour your Spirit out upon me,
Let Your holy fire consume.
Set my heart ablaze with a passion
For You rose up from the tomb!
May Your holy flame refine me,
For I know You’re coming soon.
As I wait upon Your Spirit, Lord,
Let Your holy fire consume!

Verse 3 (key change)

Pour your Spirit out upon me,
Let Your rain now start to fall.
Drench my weary soul with mercy sweet,
As I listen for Your call.
Your shower of love is so refreshing,
You, alone, are All-In-All.
As I wait upon Your Spirit, Lord,
Let Your rain now start to fall!

Copyright © 1999 Tom Lascoe, Larry Holder and Elton Smith

I’ve already done backings for this mass starting here.  Rex Urbano from Our Lady of Fatima asked for MIDI files so he can use them on his keyboard at church.  I’ve made MIDI versions of the BIAB files my usual backings were made from, so if anyone needs them e-mail me and confirm that your church has the licence for Paul Mason’s mass.  They aren’t the same as the MP3s because I mainly use the realtracks in BIAB now so I have to use a different style to allow a MIDI version.

Rex also asked for a backing for the Our Father, which I had not done as, shamefully, we rarely sing it at St Edwards.  I made him a MIDI for the piece up the the embolus only.

I’ve made an MP3 of the BIAB/MIDI that conveys the Latin style of his melody, although I’m not sure if it’s the sort of Latin of which Rome approves.

Don’t forget to download the assembly version of his mass here.