I have moved along to the section on Christian Initiation in Gather 3rd edition. I am getting to all the songs that I haven’t covered already on my blog. It may be no coincidence that a lot of the songs that aren’t widely used enough to have already come up here are written by women.
This song is for RCIA and baptism and has a text by Mary Louise Bringle set by William P. Rowan to the tune, APPALACHIAN FALL. It is is simple, singable tune.
This is another Marian hymn and Gather 3rd edition gives the Latin and an English translation by Neil Borgstrom. The tune is SICILIAN MARINERS (aka O DU FROLICHE).
You can see the text and tune in the preview archived at Hymnary, but otherwise you are probably going to need one of the two hymnals in which it is noted to be included.
Having been raised a Presbyterian, I always struggle with Marian hymns. This one by Tony Alonso in Gather 3rd edition keeps it simple and successfully avoids the oversentimental – he based it on the Litany of Loretto and the “Ave Maria” chorus is based on the LOURDES HYMN. It is call and response, but could be sung through without issues. The Spanish version is provided as well, though the response is in Latin – I had to look up Ora pro nobis – still a Presbyterian at some level I suppose.
The sheet music can be purchased at GIA, where the text is in their preview.
It’s a good idea to use a familiar tune for a text used on one day of the year like All Saints or for liturgies where people who aren’t regular parishioners are likely to attend like funerals. To that end, John Bell’s moving words are usefully here set to O WALY WALY, and found in Gather 3rd Edition.
I have made a bit of a dent in Gather 3rd edition, picking up all the songs that I haven’t already covered on this blog. This one is for All Saints and is a text by Sylvia Dunstan set here to PLEADING SAVIOR.
GIA now only have other setting for sale of Dunstan’s lyric. The words are here.
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.