I am learning some things by scouring Gather 3rd ed. for the songs that haven’t come up here before. The Spanish/African/Irish ethnicities are catered for and Michael Mahler is a new one for me. It also appears a lot of Lori True’s work has not penetrated across the Pacific, although I do like her tune for Shirley Murray’s “A Place at the Table”.
Lori True shares the writing of this text with St Paul (Ephesians 4:1-24), but didn’t need his help for the music. Although acapella SATB sounds good for the refrain, the harmonically challenged amongst us can still use this one. It is a call for unity and mission.
The sheet music can be purchased at GIA and the words are here. She seems to be popular in the US, even amongst non-Catholic types.
I was sick a couple of weeks ago and being unable to work made a lot of backings just for something to do. That may explain things if a few sound like a fever dreams, but all these backings are quick sketches on BIAB to help sing along and learn the song.
This song from Gather 3rd ed. seems to be unavailable from GIA these days – there isn’t even a handbell arrangement left – so if you want it you are probably going to track down one of the hymnals listed at Hymnary, which, thankfully are pretty commonly available.
I am working my way through the songs in Gather 3rd ed. that I haven’t already blogged from other sources. I fear that some have been justly underused, but this one is an interesting setting of a useful text. Ruth Duck has written words that are just right for a celebration of commitment such as confirmation. The setting by Kate Cuddy has memorable modulations in the refrain that help it stand out. This hymn was a pleasant surprise.
I should note that I am using the guitar edition which has extra lines for the singers but can leave you uncertain of where the main melody is at times. Of all the large unwieldy guitar hymn books, however, it has the least awful binding and would be easiest to use on a music stand – a solid one mind you.
I have blogged a different arrangement of this already (Christopher Walker for OCP), but I’d lay odds John Bell did it first. This is his version of a traditional Cameroon song.
GIA also have a Marty Haugen arrangement that uses this for a Litany of the Saints, and yet another by Rob Glover. The text is here – scroll down.
I don’t think there’ s much between the versions but as my last attempt wasn’t great I had another go.
This is a rousing recessional from Gather 3rd ed. by Chris De Silva. He dedicated it to a priest in Uganda, and his version might be in an African style or even like Peter Gabriel, although it sounded more Indian to me. I’m sure it can be done in a more neutral style. It sounds familiar to me, but I can’t find that I’ve have ever blogged it − perhaps there are superficial similarities to Bolduc’s “Go Out in the World.”
In my survey of the songs from Gather 3 that haven’t found their way into this blog already, I have reached the section for mission and ministry.
This is by Tony Alonso, which is always a pleasure, and has the Ireland via US vibe. The first clip below has that odd choir sound that you only hear from the US that I suppose must be how church choirs are meant sound there. The other clips beat it for enthusiasm and sound more normal.
For all that, the song would be a fine recessional.
This is an African American folk song in Gather 3rd ed. As I noted previously, I should not be surprised that the Gather songs that I haven’t already come across as generally used in Australian churches, are likely to be those that are from another culture. That doesn’t mean they can’t be used, but it does mean they won’t come naturally to many parish musicians here.
My head is spinning from the number of different translations of this Spanish text (Vs 1 trad. Vs 2-4 Roberto Escamilla). It is in the “Christian Life” section of Gather 3rd ed. and is suitable for a healing mass or funerals, if, of course, you can credibly do Mexican music.
I have already blogged Haugen’s version, but the one in Gather 3 is Ronald Krisman’s arrangement. Like a lot of unloved GIA arrangements it has only a handbell arrangement that I can find at GIA. The screenshot at Hymnary has the Spanish lyric and a different English translation. The tune is SOMOS DEL SEÑOR.
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.
