Songs, Hymns and Carols for Advent 2A (December 4 2022)

See also general Advent songs

Isaiah 11:1-10
A prophecy of a righteous judge to come; a shoot of Jesse with the spirit of God.

• TiS 284 / VU901 / ELW552 / W&R158 / GtG109 / Cha135 / URW012 / Lau008 Blessed be the God of Israel / O Bless the God of Israel (Michael Perry) Good words of Christ as the fulfiller of the prophets who will set God's people free From fear and darkness. Be aware that some versions (like TiS) use exclusively masculine language for God. URW and Chalice are inclusive. Set to the simple tune MERLE'S TUNE. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• GA281 Gather in hope people of God / Advent Song (Deidre Browne / Jane Wood) Joyful refrain, and cantor response verses. "Gather in hope, people of God, sing the Advent song! Song of faith, song of trust, a song to welcome the Christ". The verses seem a bit tricky. Lyrics.
• PH601 / WoV725 / PfAS1032 / URW010 Blest be the God of Israel (Song of Zechariah) (Carl Daw) A simple and inclusive paraphrase to the well-known hymn tune KINGSFOLD (TiS 262). Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 663 / NCH108 / CH241 / VU680 / GtG077 / PH337 / W&R532 Isaiah the prophet has written (Joy Patterson) Excellent words of Isaiah's vision for the future; I prefer to sing this to the tune JUDAS AND MARY (this is not the set tune in TiS). Lyrics (note: a different tune).  New words to old(ish) tunes. 
• G(II)249 / GC319 / GC(II)325 Close as tomorrow the sun shall appear / Walk in the Reign (Rory Cooney). I really like this one. “Close as tomorrow the sun shall appear. Freedom is coming and healing is near. And I shall be with you in laughter and pain to stand in the wind and walk in the reign”. Nice little lyrics twist there! The 4th verse mentions specific locations (Soweto, Gdansk, Tiannemen Square, The Bronx), which you could retain or change, as you feel appropriate. This sound sample gives it a bit of a gospel feel. Sheet music and lyrics.
• NCH109 With joy draw water (Anne McKinstry) Good words based on this and another Isaiah Advent reading. Sung to a familiar Celtic tune (ST COLUMBA) this would not be difficult. A little formal. Sound sample and lyrics (in the comments under the video).New words to old tunes.
• AoV1-071 / GA530 / GC(II)742 / G(3)837 / Lau462 Gather Your People (Bob Hurd) Excellent eucharistic theology. Sound sample. Lyric and sheet music sample.
• Online Resource / ACS901 / GWA098 Now the heavens start to whisper (Mary Louise Bringle) Excellent words of the whole of creation waiting for the rod of Jesse to spring forth, set to the Welsh tune SUO GÂN. Sound sample, sheet music sample and choral version for purchase. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 294 / NCH127 / UMH216 / VU008 / LBW058 / ELW272 / HPP133 / GtG129 / PH048 / GC368 / GC(II)373 / CP117 / W&R190 / Cha160 / 82Hml-081 Lo how a Rose e'er blooming / Behold a rose is growing (German 15th Century) I love this traditional Advent song; it's not so well-known in Australia. Be aware that older versions are far less inclusive. History. Cha126 is a responsive reading and sung response based on the same Advent hymn. Lyrics and sheet music. Here's Sufjan Stevens singing it. And Feist. 
• Online Resource / Tune In Making things new (Sheree Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook. Good for kids.
• TiS 265 / AHB 193 / AoV1-174 / NCH116 / CH273 / UMH211 / VU001 / LBW034 / ELW283 / GA285 / HPP92 / PH009 / GC317 / GC(II)323 / G(3)395 / CP089 / CP(E) 32 / W&R154 / Cha119 / 82Hml-056 / Lau112 / StF180 / MP493 O come O come Emmanuel (Psaleroilum Cantionum Catholicarum) A very well known ancient Advent carol - so you may want to wait another week before singing it, depending on the traditions of your congregation. Most versions are pretty inclusive. History. Lyrics and sheet music. There are also two alternate versions (one by Sue Wickham and one by John Henson), set to the same tune, but with more modern lyrics and ideas. See the Facebook Group for lyrics. Here's Sufjan again. And Sam Billen. Those last two recordings are maybe a bit too laid back, really... Here's a beautiful arrangement for choir by Kodaly. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource The prophets caught a vision (David Bjorlin) A song about the vision of the prophets, and our call to have prophetic visions too. Set to the old Welsh tune LLANGLOFFAN. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource God be with your weary people (Hannah Brown) Excellent words for Advent; the first verse picks up the weariness of the Israelites, and Christ being the root of Jesse. It can be sung to HYFRYDOL or a newer tune by Sally Ann Morris. Lyrics. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
• UMH729 / VU682 / LBW161 / WoV762 / ELW711 / GtG373 / PH450 / CP573 / W&R539 / Cha711 / URW140 / 82Hml-597 O day of peace that dimly shines (Carl Daw) A song of hoped-for peace. The tune in Chalice hymnal is really nice (CANDLER) or O WALY WALY which is used in URW. Other sources use JERUSALEM, which is a bit too militaristic for me. Lyrics and JERUSALEM sheet music.  New words to old tunes.
• Unknown source Alleluia, the great storm is over (Bob Franke) lift up your wings and fly! I especially love the image of the infant sleeping while the mother sang until the bridegroom returned. The chorus is really catchy and very easy to sing. If not familiar, you can use a cantor or soloist for the verses and invite the congregation to join in the chorus. We tend to sing this more like a gospel anthem. Lyrics. Video with poor image but good sound.
• Online Resource After the flood (David Bjorlin / Mark Miller) Gosh. A beautiful, meditative and healing song, specifically about recovery from a flood. I would use a soloist for the verses, and invite the congregation to join on the chorus, which is a Kyrie (you might need to play it a little more quickly perhaps). Sheet music and sound sample and purchasing options.   
• ATFG510 Sing a song of praise and glory / Advent News (Donald Schmidt) A fun and simple advent song - would be good any week of Advent, but fits particularly well this week. Sheet music & lyrics.
• Online resource A child will lead the dawn of grace (Richard Garland) Sung to a standard hymn tune (MARYTON), lovely new words that speak of justice through this child that is coming. New words to old tunes. Free sheet music.
• Iona / NCH153 / GtG138 / CH295 / G(II)267 / GC350 / SP22 / StF222 Who would think that what was needed (God's surprise) (Iona community) I love the challenge to our priorities in this song. The lyrics are to the traditional tune SCARLET RIBBONS. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Keyboard sound sample. New words to old tunes.

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

• Emergent Psalter For he shall deliver the poor (Isaac Everett) A Psalm refrain. It's not amazing, but I'm having trouble finding good Psalm refrains for this particular Psalm. Sheet music (refrain only).
• Online Resource / NCH36 / PH219 To God compose a song of joy (Ruth Duck) “The God of Justice comes to save; let earth make melody; For God will judge with righteousness and rule with equity” Beautiful words. I prefer this sung to the tune in NCH – the standard hymn tune RICHMOND (TiS 425). Sound sample, lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.  
• AoV2-137 / Iona (SBL) / CH262 For the world and all its people (John Bell / Manuel Dávila) This is a beautiful, haunting song set to a melody from Missa Nicaraguaense. It will need to be taught, but once your congregation gets it, I'm sure they'll love it. Particularly good to use during intercessions. Lyrics and sheet music samples of the tune from Missa Nicaraguaense.
  
• WCC website / Online Resource Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos (Eleazar Torregoza) This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. Free sheet music!
• NCH588 / StJ / WoV763 / ELW717 Let justice flow like streams (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words to the very familiar tune ST THOMAS. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• SP&P137 The world is hungry for justice / Sweet Justice (Louis Gilio / Scott Ressman) This song is new to me, and the words are very suitable for this reading. It's a ballad and the verses would be best sung by the musicians at first, with the congregation joining in on the chorus until they get to know it.
• AoV2-043 / ATFG520 / CoC40 / NCH538 / SFFS 2095 / GC(II)355 / G(3)449 / SP&P174 / W&R223 / ZSS63 Star-Child (Shirley Murray) A lovely lovely carol. Very easy to sing. A big favourite! Lyrics and sample sheet music.
• Online Resource Be a blessing (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A song of encouragement based on this Psalm. This would be a wonderful song to sing at someone's commissioning, or as a benediction song to your congregation. It would be tricky for a congregation at first, so I would get your musicians to present it as a gift to the congregation. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.

Romans 15:4-13
Living in harmony; root of Jesse. See also the suggestions for the Isaiah reading above.

• TiS 650 / ATA 191 / CH694 / A&M604 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / GtG727 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / G(3)751 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 / W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 / StF611 / Lau924 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Richard Gillard) I think you all know this one. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line. Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / GtG293 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 / StB220 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Shirley Murray). There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION and OMNI DIE. Lyrics New words to old tunes (depending which tune you choose).
• VU619 / WoV738 / ELW612 / SFFS 2213 / GtG795 / G(II)642 / GC882 / GC(II)854 / G(3)960 / RS 958 / CP612 / W&R630 / Cha506 / URW161 / Lau427 Healer of Our Every Ill (Marty Haugen) Good straightforward words of healing and simple tune. "Give us strength to love each other, every sister, every brother". Can get overly mushy. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
• AoVK-99 May the hope of God surround us (Schmidt) A simple blessing. 
• TiS 265 / AHB 193 / AoV1-174 / NCH116 / CH273 / UMH211 / VU001 / LBW034 / ELW283 / GA285 / HPP92 / PH009 / GC317 / GC(II)323 / G(3)395 / CP089 / CP(E) 32 / W&R154 / Cha119 / 82Hml-056 / Lau112 / StF180 / MP493 O come O come Emmanuel (Psalerolium Cantionum Catholicarum translated John Mason Neale) A very well known ancient Advent carol - so you may want to wait another week before singing it, depending on the traditions of your congregation. Most versions are pretty inclusive. History. Lyrics and sheet music. There are also two alternate versions (one by Sue Wickham and one by John Henson), set to the same tune, but with more modern lyrics and ideas. See the Facebook Group for lyrics. Here's Sufjan again. Here's a beautiful arrangement for choir by Kodaly. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• NCH158 / UMH247 / LBW076 / GtG827 / W&R230 / Cha105 O Morning Star How Fair and Bright! / O Morning Star how clear and bright (Philipp Nicolai transl. Catherine Winkworth) A traditional German Epiphany chorale, which also works nicely with this reading. Lyrics and sheet music samples. 
• GP1_51 / STB021 / URW299 O many people of all lands (Natty Barranda) A good song supporting multicultural harmony at home, at work, and in church. Lyrics (scroll to page 2).
  

Matthew 3:1-12 
John the Baptist; Prepare a way; the brood of vipers bit.

• Online Resource A morning star draws near the earth (Mary Louise Bringle) Excellent words of the promise prophesied by John the Baptist and the joy that is to come. Set to the familiar tune MORNING SONG. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
• ACS904 / TiS 688 Come to be our hope O Jesus / Tú Jesús, nuestra esperanza (Jaci Marachin) This is a really fun Latin American song from the World Council of Churches Assembly in Canberra. It's not easy the first time, but once you've heard it, it's very catchy. The words are really excellent, despite a slightly clunky translation. It would be worth teaching to your congregation! We sang this a couple of times during Advent. Sound sample with a great guitar line. Here's another quite different version. Good for kids.
• TiS 263 / CH607 The bright wind is blowing the bright wind of heaven (Cecily Taylor) Excellent words of the changes brought about by a "bright wind" that blows away the chaff of our hating, and fans the flames of love.  Joyful tune. Sound sample.
  
• StS008 / SFFS 2089 / GtG163 / PH409 / StF189 Wild and Lone the Prophet's Voice (Carl Daw) Excellent, challenging words. I prefer this sung to ABERYSTWYTH which is well known and easily accessible. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / AoVK-50 / ATW 430 Come let us praise our God / A voice is heard (Trisha Watts) Excellent and energetic. Sound sample and purchasing options. Good for kids. 
• TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people (Robin Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is “Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. Note that most sources only list 2 verses, but there are two additional (more challenging) verses you may wish to consider using written for the Christmas Bowl in 1988; thanks to Simon for alerting me to them. Lyrics (including additional verses), mp3 sample.
• Online resource Down by the Jordan (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette). Good inclusive words to the familiar tune LOBE DEN HERREN. Lyrics.
• TiS 270 / AHB 199 / NCH115 / CH334 / VU20 / LBW548 / ELW842 / A&M046 / GtG096 / PH010 / G(II)260 / GC321 / 322 / GC(II)344 / G(3)418 / CP103 / CP(E) 34 / W&R156 / 82Hml-076 / Lau094 / StF182 / MP538 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (Charles Coffin) If you would like inclusive lyrics, have a look at the New Century Hymnal’s version. If you’d like a groovy tune, check out AHB 199(ii) / GC322 – ST JOHN BAPTIST by Gary Lewis Miles and Betty Pulkingham. This is an excellent, fun tune. You can even combine the words of NCH115 with AHB199(ii) for the best of both worlds. But WINCHESTER NEW is also very good, and easy to sing if you don’t have a congregation full of people who grew up in the 60s and 70s. Lyrics and sheet music.
• CH281 / UMH202 / VU9 / WoV626 / LBW626 / ELW248 / HPP83 / GtG105 / PH012 / G(II)337 / GC318 / GC(II)337 / CP091 / CP(E) 35 / W&R161 / Cha142 / SP15 People look East. The time is near (Eleanor Farjeon) Quite nice and joyful Advent song. Note that it is cold-climate Northern Hemisphere specific. Lyrics.
• Seeds of Faith Prepare the Way For Love (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A good song for kids. I think it would be fun to make up additional verses for this one so it could carry through the whole of Advent. Sound sample and lyrics. BUC people, I have this book. Good for kids.
• Online resource Prepare the way with quietness (David Bjorlin) Excellent words that pick up on Advent as a time of preparation. Sung to the well known tune LAND OF REST. Lyrics. Song book for purchase. New words to old tunes.
• Taizé / UMH207 / VU10 / StS014 / GtG095 / GC336 / GC(II)330 / G(3)400 / W&R174 / Cha121 Prepare the way of the Lord (Jacques Berthier) A lovely simple round. Sheet music and clunky sound sample. Good for kids.
• AHB 329 / VU200 / GC462 / GC(II)475 / G(3)551 / CP638 / 82Hml-501 O Holy Spirit by whose breath (Rabanus Maurus) Quite nice hymn. It varies in translation and inclusivity in all hymnals. I would sing this to DUKE STREET. One version of the lyrics. New words to old tunes.  
• VU010 Prepare the way of the Lord (Michael Burkhardt) A lovely simple round in 6:8. "Prepare the way of the Lord! X2 Make a straight path for him, make a straight path. Prepare the way of the Lord!" You can split into 6 groups for this one! What fun! Sheet music sample. Sound sample.  Good for kids. 
• Online Resource Prepare the way of the Lord (Tom Council) A nice setting for a choir. Free sheet music.
• Recorded Music Prepare ye the way of the Lord - Godspell (Stephen Schwarz / John-Michael Tebelak) This is still a great call to worship for this Sunday.  The more up to date Broadway release is a bit better than the original recording, which now sounds a bit dated. Get that gospel choir going if you have the sheet music. Track it down! 1973 film version. Newer Broadway Revival version (listen to the guitars!).
  
• Recorded Music Prepare ye the way of the Lord (Michael We Smith) Love the Aussie accent in the readings for the Intro to this. I wish they had used TaikOz for the drumming.... I really like the excitement of the intro, and the song is just a chorus really. Maybe I just like those jangly U2-esque guitars. Youtube.
• Tune In / Online ResourceDare to Dream (Elaine Loukes) A great song about having a vision for the future, being lead by the light of Bethlehem’s star. "Dare to dream of new beginnings, Paths untried, by faith supplied".  Sound sample, lyrics, free downloadable song book
• VU028 / LBW556 / CP111 / 82Hml-070 Herald Sound the note of gladness (Moir Waters) Good words to an adapted old hymn tune (NEW MALDEN). Some versions start with a verse about a note of judgement. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.

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VU199 Creative Spirit come to us (Latin 9th century) Great words to an old tune. I like the "Kaleidoscope of sevenfold light" bit. Sung to VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS. New words to old tunes.

Do you have some ideas you'd like to add? Please leave a comment below...