Church Music

This song is for the third Sunday of Easter Year A. It is from “God of Surprises” by Michael Herry.

The sheet music is free at Marist Music, where you can hear their version.

Did not our hearts burn within us when we met him on the road?

Did not our hearts burn within us when we met him on the road?

In the breaking of bread, we see your face, Jesus, Lord of life.

In the breaking of bread, our lives are one, Jesus, Lord of life.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

This is an Easter song from Michael Herry, specifically for Easter 2A.

The cantor or choir sings the first stanza and the assembly responds with the second to the same tune.

The sheet music is free at Marist Music, where you can hear his version.

Choir

See my hands and feet, see my wounded side;

Doubt no longer, believe.

See my hands and feet, see my wounded side;

Doubt no longer, believe.

Assembly

My Lord, my God, my Lord my God,

Jesus I believe.

My Lord, my God, my Lord my God,

Jesus I believe.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

I’m in the part of “God of Surprises” in which Michael Herry has short songs specific to certain celebrations or seasons.

This hymn, based on John 3:14-21, is noted for Lent and Holy Week (especially Lent 4 Year B). It could also be used anytime as a mantra of thankfulness.

The free sheet music and streamed audio are at Marist Music.

God loved the world so much, he gave his only Son,

So that all who believe in Jesus might have eternal life.

God loved the world so much, he gave his only Son,

So that all who believe in Jesus might have eternal life.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

I have never been very happy with Palm Sunday songs I’ve used, so I’m interested in Michael Herry’s song for Passion Sunday from “God of Surprises”. It is based on Matt 21:9.

The sheet music is free at Marist Music. You can hear his version there as well.

Hosanna to the Son of David, foretold by the prophets long ago.

Hosanna to the Son of David, who comes in the name of the Lord.

And so we worship you, O Christ and bless you.

By your cross you have redeemed the world.

By your cross you have redeemed the world.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

Michael Herry notes this as a song for Lent and especially Lent 5 Year B. But honestly, this will work as a communion hymn pretty much any time of the year where a minor key isn’t jarring and the tune is a peach. The text is John 12:20-33.

It is from his collection “God of Surprises” and I haven’t even scratched the surface of his output. You could seriously base an entire parish repertoire on songs like this, all provided for free at Marist Music, where you can also listen to his version.

I made a backing anyway once through, but it would easily bear repetition.

Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

It remains but a single grain.

Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

It remains but a single grain.

But if it dies, it springs to life:

Yes, if it dies it springs to life,

Losing itself, it yields a harvest rich in life.

But if it dies, it springs to life:

Yes, if it dies it springs to life,

Losing itself, it yields a harvest rich in life.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

This is a Michael Herry song from “God of Surprises” for Christmas. It has a neat harmony line and sounds lot of fun.

The sheet music can be downloaded for free at Marist Music, where you can hear their version of the song. The harmony line is Alleluia sung over the first and third lines, with the second and fourth lines having the same words as the melody line. In Herry’s version it kicks in on the third time round.

Tidings of great joy! A Saviour has come,

Jesus Christ the light of the world.

Tidings of great joy! A Saviour has come,

Welcome to the Word of God.

ⓒ 1995 Michael Herry

This section of “God of Surprises” by Michael Herry has songs designed for specific liturgical purposes. You may find uses outside what he suggests, but you can be at least sure they are all going to fit into the mass for which they are designed.

This is an Advent song for any cycle and especially for the second Sunday. He sources John the Baptist and Isaiah.

As with all this music, it can now be freely downloaded from Marist Music. All the songs also have a link to his version of the song.

As usual, I have made a backing to help us learn the song.

1 Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand;

Prepare a way for the Lord.

Hear a voice drying out in the wilderness,

“Make straight a path for the Lord, a path for the Lord.”

2 He carries a winnowing fan in his hand

In judgment over the earth.

He will gather the wheat and scatter the chaff

In a fire that will never go out, will never go out.

3 So listen again to the voice heard within,

To the challenging call of your God!

Turn away from sin and renew your lives,

Through the saving power of Christ, the power of Christ.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

It’s probably just me, but the minor key and the threat of judgment, give this song a “Nick Cave” vibe.

The next song would be “A Blessing Hymn for Australia”, but I have already blogged that in CWBII.

On the other hand, if you were looking for a country song about the feeding of the five thousand, look no further. Michael Herry has written one and it is in his collection, “God of Surprises”. To be fair this is more in keeping with a folk yarn than country music.

The sheet music is free at Marist Music. You can also hear his version there.

This is my backing.

1 When Jesus came to town, people talked for miles around.
They hadn’t seen the like of him for ages.
Then Mum packed a luncheon bag, so behind him I could tag,
And maybe get a job with fancy wages.
But I wasn’t with him long, when I heard another song:
His call to use my gifts in serving others,
So I decided then and there to follow him to God knows where,
And maybe light a candle in the darkness.

Chorus

This table of life all gather round
Our simple gifts can change to things profound.
Though there’s not much in my bag,
What I’ve got, Lord, you can have,
For you to multiply to go around.

2 So I joined his rag-tag band and we sang throughout the land
a song about God’s love for all and sundry.
But life’s not just sing-a-long; there was hard work to be done;
to clothe and heal the sick and feed the hungry.
Then one day as things turned out, when the crowds were round about,
I offered him my barley loaves and fishes.
And after giving out the lunch, Oh we were a happy bunch,
‘Cause at picnics no one has to do the dishes.

3 So may we a blessing be that all one day be free,
by sharing all we have and serving others.
Here’s the master’s wise advice, if you’re after paradise,
Think of others first, your sisters and your brothers.
This sign that Jesus gave left the people all dismayed.
They wanted him their king and that’s no wonder!
But he left them high and dry; he had other fish to fry,
To have us set our hearts on life beyonder!

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

Entrance: City of God (Schutte) AOV 1/57

Gifts: Bless Our Gifts (Grant) AOV

Communion: Table of Plenty (Schutte) AOV 2/20

Recessional: Go Make a Difference  (Angrisano/Tomaszek) AOV NG 52

St Peter’s Rochedale:

Entrance: Gather As One  (McKenna) AOV NG 48

Gifts: Bless These Gifts (Grant) AOV

Communion: One Bread, One Body (Foley) AOV 1/129

Recessional: All the Ends of the Earth (Dufford) AOV 1/76)

… from St Peter’s Rochedale, my previous parish: