Church Music

I suppose it makes sense that many of the songs left over from Gather 3rd ed. that I haven’t blogged from other sources already will be world music (Irish, African, Spanish etc.)

This one is traditional Xhosa, but the translation and adaptation are copyrighted. It is is a hymn of encouragement in times of trial.

GIA sell what appears to be a slightly different arrangement these days. Looking at their preview, the lyrics and the translation match what I have in Gather 3. I note other translations with “hold on” or “hold fast” rather than “never give up.”

Gather 3rd ed. puts this song in the “Christian Life” section but it could easily be a Gathering or Eucharistic hymn. The text is by Ruth Duck and it is set by Lori True in an Celtic style (OK Celtic via the US style).

The sheet music can be purchased at GIA and the text is here.

This is a Taizé chant and in Gather 3rd ed. they have the refrain in English, Spanish and Swedish and verses in English and Spanish. It is based on Psalm 63:1-4,7-8 and John 7:37-39 and credited to the Taizé community.

GIA only sell the handbell version that I can find, but Hymnary lists the hymnals in which this song is found and the lyrics are in the previews there. Cantus Mundi has some background information as well.

If you go to the Taizé site and click on “Kristus, din Ande”, they give all the words and practice melody lines for each part of the chant.

I just did a backing for the ostinato refrain.

This fine traditional hymn in Gather 3rd ed. has a text by Herman G. Stuempfle and is set to LAND OF REST.

GIA only seems to have a hand bell arrangement now, so you might have to hunt it down in one of the hymn collections noted at Hymnary. The text is in the previews there too.

This Shaker hymn is in in Gather 3rd ed. in the “Christian Life” section.

It was written by Joseph Brackett (1979-1882). While a fine old folk song, I can’t think of any use for it in liturgy. I don’t think the text is as clear now as it may have been when written. It now reads like a precursor to “How Sweet to Be an Idiot”.

The sheet music is at Hymnary. Mary at Godsongs has looked at this song further – I was sure she would have, it’s right up her alley.

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free,
‘Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be;
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed;
to turn, turn, will be my delight.
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

I know this is to misunderstand the song but:

Skipping songs I have already covered, takes us to “Whatever Be the Love” in the “Christian Life” section of Gather 3rd ed.

The text is by Mary Louise Bringle and it is set by Lori True. It would work for weddings or for mission and vocation.

The sheet music can be purchased at GIA and the text is here.

While their friends at OCP set this ancient text to WESTMINSTER ABBEY, which I blogged here, GIA set it to St THOMAS (John Wade). The text is C11 Angularis fundamentum, translated C19 by John Neale. It is in the “Church” section of Gather 3rd ed. thematically.

The sheet music is at Hymnary. The text below is as altered by GIA.

1 Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ, our head and cornerstone,
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Zion’s help forever,
And our confidence alone.

2 To this temple, where we call You,
Come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
With y0ur steadfast loving kindness,
Hear Your servants as they pray;
And Your fullest benediction
shed in all its bright array.

3 Here bestow on all your servants
What they ask of you again,
What they gain from You, forever
With the blessed to retain,
And hereafter in your glory
Evermore with you to reign.

4 Praise and honor to the Father,
Praise and honor to the Son,
Praise and honor to the Spirit,
Ever Three, and ever one:
One in might, and one in glory,
While unending ages run!

In Gather 3rd ed. we have left the “Comfort” section and thematically entered the “Reign of God” as it were.

This is a hymn from Swaziland and in this version of Gather 3 you only get the English lyrics. The sheet music that can be purchased from GIA is bilingual. The copyright here bothers me somewhat. The translation is by John Bell and he gets credit for that and fair enough. Both the music and the text is called “Swaziland traditional” and its transcription is copyright to the Swedish Youth Exchange Project. Hopefully they do something nice with any proceeds.

If you are up for this sort of music it sounds great for an entrance procession or recessional. Minimal accompaniment would seem best.

This is a very old song of comfort, especially suitable for funerals. The text is C18 by Nicholas L. von Zinzendorf (Jesu, geh voran) and translated in to English by Jane Borthwick C19. It is set to a C17 tune ROCHELLE by Adam Drese.

Mary at Godsongs has more background.

This is certainly worthy of it’s inclusion in the “comfort” section of Gather third edition. I was worried I would get only US artists from GIA, but I’ve already found a few Liam Lawton songs, so Ireland is represented. Looking ahead there are African and Scottish tunes so maybe it is just that I have hoovered up a lot of the American material from other sources.

Lawton based this on Psalm 34. It is playable and singable so it has its virtues. The sheet music is available at GIA and the lyrics are here.

In my BIAB backing, I left out the embellishments in the tune that you hear in the clips – I figure assemblies would do the same.

Watch how the pianist in this clip takes communion in both forms and carries on, what style: