One approach for once a year liturgies is a simple memorable refrain for the assembly and verses for a cantor. It allows all sorts of liberties with the tune in the verses. This is the approach for this song for Ash Wednesday with a text by Maryanne Quinlivan. She based the verses on Psalm 51. The tune is by Kevin Keil.
You can purchase the sheet music at OCP. Bits of the lyrics are around on the net, but the full text is provided by OCP in their preview.
My backing sounds a bit dark, but perhaps that’s OK. I have been experimenting with new instruments for melody lines again.
Chris Brunelle is amazing.
The song in its liturgical settting:
Piano and vocal: