This page has been updated for 2013
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Songs and Hymns for Easter Day (April 4 2010)
Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 65:17-25
1 Corinthians 15:19-26or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18or Luke 24:1-12
Tune In: God is walking in the garden (Brown) A gentle song perfect for Easter. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
Tune In: In the shape of a cross (Brown) A cry to God for help. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
Tune In: Making things new (Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
Iona / CH430 / SFFS2115 / G(II)308 / GC452 / GC(II)465 Christ has risen while earth slumbers (Bell / Maule) There are a number of tune setting for this. I prefer HOLY MANNA. Lyrics.
*TiS 383 Joyful the morning when Jesus Christ is risen (Traditional Torres Strait Islander) It's beautiful and joyful and Torres Strait Islander! We should sing this! I can't believe I hadn't noticed this song before!
Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (CHILDER) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Good for kids.
TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / HPSS302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS) Well known and very easy to sing. Lyrics and tune sample.
ATW 452 Halle Halle / Why do you look among the dead (Mann) Storytelling Easter song, with catchy hallelujahs. Lyrics.
TiS 720 / AHB 295 / aoVK-85 / AoV2-046 / ATOK 319 / NCH236 / Iona (Many & Great, There is one among us) / CH345 / VU958 / StJ / SFFS 2026 / HPP571 / RS 396 Halle halle hallelujah (Traditional Caribbean) Excellent – simple, great for kids, good rhythm. And Easter Day deserves many Hallelujahs! Sound sample.
SFFS 2078 / GC(II)271 Alleluia / Praise Praise God in the Temple (Glover / Honduras) I would just sing the refrain of this. It would make a great introit or postlude for Easter Day. Sheet music and lyrics (chorus only). I'm not wild about the sound sample, but it gives you some ideas.
TiS 370 / AHB 290 / NCH367 / CH411 / UMH302 / VU157 / LBW128 / ELW369 / G(II)315 / GC437 / GC(II)439 / RS602 / CP206 Christ the Lord is risen today (Wesley) (Llanfair) It's not quite Easter without this hymn, but be aware that the lyrics vary widely between hymnals. TiS is good, although some may not like the Kingly language. If you want fully inclusive language, the NCH has good lyrics. An example of lyrics and tune.
TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / HPP210 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / CP237 Now the green blade riseth (NOEL NOUVELET) I love these words and this simple French folk tune. I particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano arrangement too. Lyrics and tune sample.
TiS 392 / NCH308 At the dawning of salvation Good hymn words of Easter theology and Christ’s presence at Creation to a fun standard American folk tune (NETTLETON).
TiS 380 / AHB 303 / NCH253 / CH419 / UMH308 / VU173 / LBW145 / ELW376 / HPP203 / HPSS122 / CP210 / CP(E)160 / W&R310 / Cha218 / Srce694 Thine be the glory risen conquering Son One of the few older hymns that doesn't require updating. A great classic hymn! Lyrics and tune.
TiS 367 / AHB 287 / NCH242 / CH412 / UMH306 / VU159 / LBW135 / ELW366 / HPSS119 / GC446 / GC(II)459 / CP212 The strife is o'er the battle done There are two possible tunes for this hymn. I prefer to sing this hymn to the tune by James Minchin (THE STRIFE IS O’ER), which is found in the Australian Hymn Book, rather than the more traditional minstrellish VULPIUS. The newer tune is pretty groovy (I loved it as a kid!), and has lots and lots of alleluias. The words also vary a lot between hymnals. So, the best would be a combination of the TiS words and the AHB tune 287 (ii).
ATW 463 / Iona (T1AU) / R239 / ELW721 / SFFS 2219 Goodness is stronger than evil (Tutu / Iona) Words from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. "Victory is ours, victory is ours, through him who loves us". Some congregations change the last line to "Compassion is ours, compassion is ours...". It depends on the context in which you sing it, I suppose. Sound sample.
ATW 445 Roll the rock It’s a bit silly, but very joyous, catchy and good for the kids.
TiS 541 / CH674 / WoV722 / ELW535 / G(II)394 / GC562 / GC(II)529 / CP082 Hallelujah we sing your praises / Haleluyah! Pelo Tsa Rona. Joyous and simple song.
AHB 281 / NCH244 / CH431 / UMH317 / VU170 / LBW514 / ELW820 / HPSS116 / GC423 / GC(II)446 / CP228 O sons and daughters let us sing (O FILII ET FILIAE) Many versions and many verses. AHB has emphasis on Thomas verses, but Gather hymnals have some nice verses about the women finding Christ risen. This tune can be really pretty cool - either as plainchant, hymn or fairly majestic contemporary mass music. Listen to the sample of an altogether different version (with different words); search for GC(II)447 here.
TiS 393 / GA365 Christ is alive with joy we sing (Stotter) Joyful alleluias, and Easter images of Christ as grain of wheat, rising sun, vine and bread. Sung to the familiar tune VULPIUS.
Iona (TI1AU) / MV038 Glory to God / Nzamuranza (Mozambique / Matsikenyiri) Simple African call and response song. Great harmonies and particularly good for Easter Day. Thanks to Noodle Thrower for this suggestion.
GA338 People of God O welcome the light (Wood) Quite good simple refrain for the start of an Easter celebration
FFS55 Relentless lover God in Christ (Barrell/Gibson) Great words! Can also be sung to KINGSFOLD if you don't want to explore a new tune.
CH797 The Lord is risen from the dead (Halleyi) Simple chant for Easter day.
ATA 160 The Son is up the Word is out / Resurrection shout (Mann) A bit silly, but could be fun on Easter day with lots of kids.
GC(II)464 / CP230 The Tomb Is Empty (Dunstan) This one is so joyful it gives me goosebumps!! It would be a great start to worship on Easter Day. The verses say "Come and see", "Come and hear", "Come and touch", "Come and meet", "Come and serve". Sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music.
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Linnea Good / MV008 And on this path (Good) An energetic gospel style song.
TiS 74 / GA070 This is the day the Lord has made (Willcock) Unusual timing in this refrain, but once you've nailed it, it will be stuck in your head for the rest of the week, which is what I like about Psalm refrains.
MV122 This is the day (Harding) This is a really simple nice jazzy song. Sound sample. Sample sheet music.
GA071 / G(II)320 / GC449 This is the day the Lord has made (Haugen) Quite a groovy refrain and cantored verses OK too. Refrain could be sung to read verses. I wouldn't let the congregation sing the verses though. Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample.
1 Corinthians 15:19-26or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18or Luke 24:1-12
Tune In: God is walking in the garden (Brown) A gentle song perfect for Easter. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
Tune In: In the shape of a cross (Brown) A cry to God for help. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
Tune In: Making things new (Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
Iona / CH430 / SFFS2115 / G(II)308 / GC452 / GC(II)465 Christ has risen while earth slumbers (Bell / Maule) There are a number of tune setting for this. I prefer HOLY MANNA. Lyrics.
*TiS 383 Joyful the morning when Jesus Christ is risen (Traditional Torres Strait Islander) It's beautiful and joyful and Torres Strait Islander! We should sing this! I can't believe I hadn't noticed this song before!
Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (CHILDER) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Good for kids.
TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / HPSS302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS) Well known and very easy to sing. Lyrics and tune sample.
ATW 452 Halle Halle / Why do you look among the dead (Mann) Storytelling Easter song, with catchy hallelujahs. Lyrics.
TiS 720 / AHB 295 / aoVK-85 / AoV2-046 / ATOK 319 / NCH236 / Iona (Many & Great, There is one among us) / CH345 / VU958 / StJ / SFFS 2026 / HPP571 / RS 396 Halle halle hallelujah (Traditional Caribbean) Excellent – simple, great for kids, good rhythm. And Easter Day deserves many Hallelujahs! Sound sample.
SFFS 2078 / GC(II)271 Alleluia / Praise Praise God in the Temple (Glover / Honduras) I would just sing the refrain of this. It would make a great introit or postlude for Easter Day. Sheet music and lyrics (chorus only). I'm not wild about the sound sample, but it gives you some ideas.
TiS 370 / AHB 290 / NCH367 / CH411 / UMH302 / VU157 / LBW128 / ELW369 / G(II)315 / GC437 / GC(II)439 / RS602 / CP206 Christ the Lord is risen today (Wesley) (Llanfair) It's not quite Easter without this hymn, but be aware that the lyrics vary widely between hymnals. TiS is good, although some may not like the Kingly language. If you want fully inclusive language, the NCH has good lyrics. An example of lyrics and tune.
TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / HPP210 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / CP237 Now the green blade riseth (NOEL NOUVELET) I love these words and this simple French folk tune. I particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano arrangement too. Lyrics and tune sample.
TiS 392 / NCH308 At the dawning of salvation Good hymn words of Easter theology and Christ’s presence at Creation to a fun standard American folk tune (NETTLETON).
TiS 380 / AHB 303 / NCH253 / CH419 / UMH308 / VU173 / LBW145 / ELW376 / HPP203 / HPSS122 / CP210 / CP(E)160 / W&R310 / Cha218 / Srce694 Thine be the glory risen conquering Son One of the few older hymns that doesn't require updating. A great classic hymn! Lyrics and tune.
TiS 367 / AHB 287 / NCH242 / CH412 / UMH306 / VU159 / LBW135 / ELW366 / HPSS119 / GC446 / GC(II)459 / CP212 The strife is o'er the battle done There are two possible tunes for this hymn. I prefer to sing this hymn to the tune by James Minchin (THE STRIFE IS O’ER), which is found in the Australian Hymn Book, rather than the more traditional minstrellish VULPIUS. The newer tune is pretty groovy (I loved it as a kid!), and has lots and lots of alleluias. The words also vary a lot between hymnals. So, the best would be a combination of the TiS words and the AHB tune 287 (ii).
ATW 463 / Iona (T1AU) / R239 / ELW721 / SFFS 2219 Goodness is stronger than evil (Tutu / Iona) Words from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. "Victory is ours, victory is ours, through him who loves us". Some congregations change the last line to "Compassion is ours, compassion is ours...". It depends on the context in which you sing it, I suppose. Sound sample.
ATW 445 Roll the rock It’s a bit silly, but very joyous, catchy and good for the kids.
TiS 541 / CH674 / WoV722 / ELW535 / G(II)394 / GC562 / GC(II)529 / CP082 Hallelujah we sing your praises / Haleluyah! Pelo Tsa Rona. Joyous and simple song.
AHB 281 / NCH244 / CH431 / UMH317 / VU170 / LBW514 / ELW820 / HPSS116 / GC423 / GC(II)446 / CP228 O sons and daughters let us sing (O FILII ET FILIAE) Many versions and many verses. AHB has emphasis on Thomas verses, but Gather hymnals have some nice verses about the women finding Christ risen. This tune can be really pretty cool - either as plainchant, hymn or fairly majestic contemporary mass music. Listen to the sample of an altogether different version (with different words); search for GC(II)447 here.
TiS 393 / GA365 Christ is alive with joy we sing (Stotter) Joyful alleluias, and Easter images of Christ as grain of wheat, rising sun, vine and bread. Sung to the familiar tune VULPIUS.
Iona (TI1AU) / MV038 Glory to God / Nzamuranza (Mozambique / Matsikenyiri) Simple African call and response song. Great harmonies and particularly good for Easter Day. Thanks to Noodle Thrower for this suggestion.
GA338 People of God O welcome the light (Wood) Quite good simple refrain for the start of an Easter celebration
FFS55 Relentless lover God in Christ (Barrell/Gibson) Great words! Can also be sung to KINGSFOLD if you don't want to explore a new tune.
CH797 The Lord is risen from the dead (Halleyi) Simple chant for Easter day.
ATA 160 The Son is up the Word is out / Resurrection shout (Mann) A bit silly, but could be fun on Easter day with lots of kids.
GC(II)464 / CP230 The Tomb Is Empty (Dunstan) This one is so joyful it gives me goosebumps!! It would be a great start to worship on Easter Day. The verses say "Come and see", "Come and hear", "Come and touch", "Come and meet", "Come and serve". Sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music.
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Linnea Good / MV008 And on this path (Good) An energetic gospel style song.
TiS 74 / GA070 This is the day the Lord has made (Willcock) Unusual timing in this refrain, but once you've nailed it, it will be stuck in your head for the rest of the week, which is what I like about Psalm refrains.
MV122 This is the day (Harding) This is a really simple nice jazzy song. Sound sample. Sample sheet music.
GA071 / G(II)320 / GC449 This is the day the Lord has made (Haugen) Quite a groovy refrain and cantored verses OK too. Refrain could be sung to read verses. I wouldn't let the congregation sing the verses though. Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Songs and Hymns for Good Friday (2 April 2010)
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
The despised suffering one
TiS 356 / CH385 / Cha 203 Here hangs a man discarded (Wren). Beautiful and powerful words to a very well known tune (SHRUB END). Lyrics (first verse only)
TiS 345 / AHB 261 / AoV1-103 / NCH229 / UMH288 / VU144 / LBW81 / ELW353 / HPP185 / HPSS102 / G(II)302 / GC416 / GC(II)438 / CP192 Were you there when they crucified my Lord? A classic - well known, beautiful to sing and listen to. Lyrics and sound sample.
Tune In: A grain of wheat (Sheree Anderson) A more upbeat song for Good Friday, but it could be sung more reflectively if you would like. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
Tune In: In the shape of a cross (Dave Brown) A cry to God for help. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
Tune In: Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
Psalm 22
Crying out to God. A Psalm of suffering.
VU146 / SFFS 2106 / HPP183 / HPSS312 When Jesus wept (Billings) I like this simple, and very well known round. The words are pretty amazing for Good Friday. It’s also written by my favourite shape note hymn writer!
Tune In: Save us in the time of trial Reflective taize-style chorus and verses. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
MV073 / LBW320 / ELW632 / GC(II)570 O God Why Are You Silent? (Haugen) Excellent seeking words expressing grief and fear and the absence of God. Sung to the familiar PASSION CHORALE. Lyrics, sample sheet music. Music sample.
HPSS168 Lord Why Have You Forsaken Me (Conditor Alme Siderum) Simple and honest lyrics. A paraphrase of the psalm to a modified Gregorian chant tune.
VU744 / G(II)28 / GC29 / GC(II)22 My God My God O why have you abandoned me? (Haugen) Simple chant and good cantor lines. Sample sheet music. Sound sample.
CH537 / AA147 We do not hope to ease our minds (Barrell) Excellent words of standing with the crucified Christ against injustice. A number of different tunes are offered. I do not have a copy of Alleluia Aotearoa which has two possible tunes. MARY MORISON is the tune in Church Hymnary 4, and it is very straightforward.
Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
God’s new covenant, our new confidence, Christ as high priest.
TiS 529 / AHB 598 By your priestly power O risen Lord Formal and beautiful words from James McAuley. This would work well if some of the bread from Thursday remains on the communion table. The responsive chant could also be used on its own “By your priestly power O risen Lord, All we lost and needed is restored. God in our communion be adored”
Worldmaking.net O Christ, Lamb of God An updated Kyrie. Lyrics and sound sample here.
TiS 259 / Iona (Love From Below) Among us and before us Lord you stand (Bell). Good words. The set tune (GATEHOUSE) will need to be taught. It can also be sung to SURSUM CORDA. Lyrics (downloads a word document).
John 18:1-19:42
The long story of Jesus’ arrest, betrayal and crucifixion
TiS 340 / AHB 256 Before the cock crew twice This storytelling song uses words from the 17th century. The tune is a little tricky, but it could work very well if sung by a soloist (even unaccompanied if you have a brave soloist!).
ATA 135 / VU132 Bitter was the night (Carter) Lyrics based on Peter's denial of Christ. Lyrics (scroll down).
Online resource: I will drink the cup (Harding) A simple 4 part chant. Available here.
Iona (Common Ground, M&G, T1AU) / CH805 / MV151 / StJ / R257 / ELW741 / G(II)416 / GC592 / URW440 Your will be done on earth, O Lord / Mayenziwe 'ntando yakho (South African - Xhosa) This is a really good South African song, simple to sing, beautiful harmonies and would work well for reflection for Good Friday, sung slowly. Maybe it could even be sung in a minor key? Sound sample.
TiS 730 / AoV1-152 / ATOK 387 / CH775 / UMH488 / WoV740 / ELW616 / HPP214 / HPSS599 / G(II)293 / GC404 / GC(II)422 Jesus remember me (Berthier)
Taize / GA331 / GC421 / RS 567 All You Who Pass this Way (Taize) Simple chant and cantored verses. Keyboard sound ample, lyrics and sample sheet music.
AoV2-048 See His Hands (Sears) Excellent. Simple. Crucifixion focus, but not morbid.
FFS08 Broken the body (Murray / Bray). Good words of a broken body of Christ and a broken Church seeking healing, unity and courage.
GA511 I walked through the lonely streets (Bell) Good Friday Contemporary reproaches. Very challenging words.
FFS70 What have we done to you? (Murray) Good Friday Tricky tune. Would be good to have musicians present this the first time.
FFS79 Who will carry the cross for me? (Bennett) Simple tune, and good questioning words about who will walk the hard road with Christ.
ATA 171 Dying You destroyed our death (Boucher) Simple chant for Good Friday.
Iona / VU881 / GA510 When the son of God was dying (Bell) This song has lots of words, which I don't generally like during a more reflective service, but maybe you like that, and these words are quite good. Tune is pretty straightforward.
Adoration of the Cross
If this is a tradition in your congregation, here are some songs that could work well.
GA305 / GC396 / GC(II)400 / RS542 / CP338 Adoramus Te Christe (Haugen) It's really nice. Might be good to some musicians singing this quietly on Good Friday. The Refrain is a canon which could work on its own. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample (maybe a little energetic for my liking).
CH750 Adoramus te Domine Deus (Rizza) A fairly simple chant which would be good for an entire congregation to sing.
Taize / URW389 O Christe domine Jesu (Berthier) The very simplest, and best known song for this purpose. Very simple, haunting chant. Cantor verses over the top add more beauty, but are not neccessary. Sheet music and lyrics.
GA329 O my people what have I done (Lundy) This song is pretty incredible. The tune is very straightforward, but I'm not sure how you would use it. It's really about the veneration of the cross and Christ's suffering. Not a very popular theme, but important and I think this would work well if you choose to focus on that.
The despised suffering one
TiS 356 / CH385 / Cha 203 Here hangs a man discarded (Wren). Beautiful and powerful words to a very well known tune (SHRUB END). Lyrics (first verse only)
TiS 345 / AHB 261 / AoV1-103 / NCH229 / UMH288 / VU144 / LBW81 / ELW353 / HPP185 / HPSS102 / G(II)302 / GC416 / GC(II)438 / CP192 Were you there when they crucified my Lord? A classic - well known, beautiful to sing and listen to. Lyrics and sound sample.
Tune In: A grain of wheat (Sheree Anderson) A more upbeat song for Good Friday, but it could be sung more reflectively if you would like. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
Tune In: In the shape of a cross (Dave Brown) A cry to God for help. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
Tune In: Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
Psalm 22
Crying out to God. A Psalm of suffering.
VU146 / SFFS 2106 / HPP183 / HPSS312 When Jesus wept (Billings) I like this simple, and very well known round. The words are pretty amazing for Good Friday. It’s also written by my favourite shape note hymn writer!
Tune In: Save us in the time of trial Reflective taize-style chorus and verses. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
MV073 / LBW320 / ELW632 / GC(II)570 O God Why Are You Silent? (Haugen) Excellent seeking words expressing grief and fear and the absence of God. Sung to the familiar PASSION CHORALE. Lyrics, sample sheet music. Music sample.
HPSS168 Lord Why Have You Forsaken Me (Conditor Alme Siderum) Simple and honest lyrics. A paraphrase of the psalm to a modified Gregorian chant tune.
VU744 / G(II)28 / GC29 / GC(II)22 My God My God O why have you abandoned me? (Haugen) Simple chant and good cantor lines. Sample sheet music. Sound sample.
CH537 / AA147 We do not hope to ease our minds (Barrell) Excellent words of standing with the crucified Christ against injustice. A number of different tunes are offered. I do not have a copy of Alleluia Aotearoa which has two possible tunes. MARY MORISON is the tune in Church Hymnary 4, and it is very straightforward.
Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
God’s new covenant, our new confidence, Christ as high priest.
TiS 529 / AHB 598 By your priestly power O risen Lord Formal and beautiful words from James McAuley. This would work well if some of the bread from Thursday remains on the communion table. The responsive chant could also be used on its own “By your priestly power O risen Lord, All we lost and needed is restored. God in our communion be adored”
Worldmaking.net O Christ, Lamb of God An updated Kyrie. Lyrics and sound sample here.
TiS 259 / Iona (Love From Below) Among us and before us Lord you stand (Bell). Good words. The set tune (GATEHOUSE) will need to be taught. It can also be sung to SURSUM CORDA. Lyrics (downloads a word document).
John 18:1-19:42
The long story of Jesus’ arrest, betrayal and crucifixion
TiS 340 / AHB 256 Before the cock crew twice This storytelling song uses words from the 17th century. The tune is a little tricky, but it could work very well if sung by a soloist (even unaccompanied if you have a brave soloist!).
ATA 135 / VU132 Bitter was the night (Carter) Lyrics based on Peter's denial of Christ. Lyrics (scroll down).
Online resource: I will drink the cup (Harding) A simple 4 part chant. Available here.
Iona (Common Ground, M&G, T1AU) / CH805 / MV151 / StJ / R257 / ELW741 / G(II)416 / GC592 / URW440 Your will be done on earth, O Lord / Mayenziwe 'ntando yakho (South African - Xhosa) This is a really good South African song, simple to sing, beautiful harmonies and would work well for reflection for Good Friday, sung slowly. Maybe it could even be sung in a minor key? Sound sample.
TiS 730 / AoV1-152 / ATOK 387 / CH775 / UMH488 / WoV740 / ELW616 / HPP214 / HPSS599 / G(II)293 / GC404 / GC(II)422 Jesus remember me (Berthier)
Taize / GA331 / GC421 / RS 567 All You Who Pass this Way (Taize) Simple chant and cantored verses. Keyboard sound ample, lyrics and sample sheet music.
AoV2-048 See His Hands (Sears) Excellent. Simple. Crucifixion focus, but not morbid.
FFS08 Broken the body (Murray / Bray). Good words of a broken body of Christ and a broken Church seeking healing, unity and courage.
GA511 I walked through the lonely streets (Bell) Good Friday Contemporary reproaches. Very challenging words.
FFS70 What have we done to you? (Murray) Good Friday Tricky tune. Would be good to have musicians present this the first time.
FFS79 Who will carry the cross for me? (Bennett) Simple tune, and good questioning words about who will walk the hard road with Christ.
ATA 171 Dying You destroyed our death (Boucher) Simple chant for Good Friday.
Iona / VU881 / GA510 When the son of God was dying (Bell) This song has lots of words, which I don't generally like during a more reflective service, but maybe you like that, and these words are quite good. Tune is pretty straightforward.
Adoration of the Cross
If this is a tradition in your congregation, here are some songs that could work well.
GA305 / GC396 / GC(II)400 / RS542 / CP338 Adoramus Te Christe (Haugen) It's really nice. Might be good to some musicians singing this quietly on Good Friday. The Refrain is a canon which could work on its own. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample (maybe a little energetic for my liking).
CH750 Adoramus te Domine Deus (Rizza) A fairly simple chant which would be good for an entire congregation to sing.
Taize / URW389 O Christe domine Jesu (Berthier) The very simplest, and best known song for this purpose. Very simple, haunting chant. Cantor verses over the top add more beauty, but are not neccessary. Sheet music and lyrics.
GA329 O my people what have I done (Lundy) This song is pretty incredible. The tune is very straightforward, but I'm not sure how you would use it. It's really about the veneration of the cross and Christ's suffering. Not a very popular theme, but important and I think this would work well if you choose to focus on that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)