In my survey of songs at As One Voice/Willow in their digital archive I am coming across songs from As One Voice for Kids, which I have never covered, like this song from Nathaniel Ford. The text is based on Psalm 100:1-3.
It is intended as an a cappella round in up to 3 parts − maybe a children’s choir could do it. The sheet music at Willow has an optional percussion part. There is also a snippet of some children singing it – all near their 30s by now I’d wager.
My backing isn’t a capella and only has the first two melody lines.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Raise your voices in joyful song and know that the Lord is God.
Gen Bryant is a young songwriter who wrote this song for a school graduation with the class of 2019 from Our Lady’s Primary, Craigieburn.
There’s a bit of the feel of Hunters and Collector’s Holy Grail in it, which would be a rather more edgy graduation song.
The sheet music can be purchased at Willow and there are parts for all the school band.
I was just using the preview page so my backing busked the rest and is therefore inaccurate.
VERSE 1: Oh how time flies We’re not ready for all those goodbyes. And when times get rough, Will you be there to open my eyes? ‘Coz I can see the future before my eyes, I know this is gonna be my time to shine!
VERSE 2: Through the good times, and the bad times, You’ve been there for me, And I’ll keep holding on to our memories. I’ll keep holding on to our memories.
‘Coz I can see the future before my eyes, I know this is gonna be my time to shine.
Thank you for loving me Thank you for being there for me Thank you for the memories. Now I’m ready to shine!
Last Time: So until I can see you again We know this is not the end I’ll be there for you, you’ll always be my friend And you’ll be there for me ‘til the end.
I’ll be a light shining bright in the world I’m gonna shine. I’ll be a light shining bright, yeah you know I’m gonna shine.
I am still looking at the previews at As One Voice/Willow to see what they have in their digital archive.
This one is a song of praise from Peter Grant. You can only see the refrain at the site but it sounds nice so I thought I’d make a backing for that as a mantra. The whole song is available at Willow along with an instrumental snippet. There is a full SATB arrangement + descant + Flute solo so go crazy.
Praise the Holy name of Jesus, Christ our Saviour, Praise Jesus our Lord!
This is a Patricia Smith song that seems ideal for primary school masses, with its condensed version of the New Testament for verses, and an invitation in the chorus especially for children getting ready for first communion who are overwhelmed.
Like a lot a lot of songs suitable for children, that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t work in an all ages parish, especially if the Gospel pericopes were in the readings for the day.
I've worked my way through the As One Voice books and other collections making backings on Band in a Box to help me (& you if you're interested) learn new songs for church. This is aimed at churches and musicians that own the collections but haven't exploited them fully. If you don't have them they are certainly worth buying. This site is educational, nonprofit and designed to enhance the commercial prospects of songwriters. This site does not distribute copyrighted sheet music.
Disclaimer
Any opinions expressed here are personal views and not the responsibility of any Church.
All music backings posted are created by myself and the intention is for them to be used to learn the songs. If any copyright holder wishes me to cease publicising and promoting their wares and directing people to where sheet music can be legally purchased please let me know.
Mason’s “Mass of Glory and Praise”
To access my backings for Paul Mason's mass go to Feb 2011 in the archive.
