Songs, Hymns & Music for Advent 1B (December 3 2023)

General songs about Advent are listed here.

Isaiah 64:1-9
A cry to God for restoration. You are the potter, you made us. Come on God, don’t be mad. Remember we’re your people.

• Online Resource / Resounding Voices / VT044 We long to know her the maker of heaven (Jacque Jones) Rich feminine imagery of God as creator, wisdom and bringer of justice. Sung to a tune that may be familiar (STAR OF THE EAST). Free book download here. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource Advent begins in the darkness of night (David Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody) A haunting tune and beautiful words of Advent beginning in a place of darkness. Sheet music for purchase and download. Sound sample. 
• CH252 / VU578 / GA481 / SFFS 2237 / G(II)471 / GC663 / GC(II)643 / G(3)744 / W&R551 / Lau828 As a Fire Is Meant for Burning (Ruth Duck) Excellent lyrics of unity across all nations set to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING. Not terribly Adventish, but great. Lyrics & sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource Drawing Nearer (Christopher Grundy) An excellent contemporary song about the lack of peace within the world and within our souls, and the desire for God to "steal our hearts - like a baby". It's great. I would use this first by a soloist, and invite the congregation to join in as they get the hang of it. Free sheet music. Sound sample (Youtube).
• Online Resource / GA279 / A&M56 / SP019 Word of Justice / Advent Litany (Bernadette Farrell) A good call and response for Advent, with many many verses. Only use a few each week. The cantor says one line, then the congregation respone "Allelulia!", the cantor again, then "Maranatha! Sound sample, sheet music previews, and purchasing options for mp3s and sheet music.
• Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / GtG127 / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / G(3)429 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love / Jesus came bringing us hope (Traditional Cameroon) The translation in "More Voices" (Jesus came bringing...) seems particularly appropriate for Advent and it could easily work as an Advent Candle lighting song. Just sing hope, love, peace or joy, depending on the week. Would be more exciting and energetic with some African drums, rather than a quiet reflective candle lighting song. Lyrics and sound samples. Good for kids.
• NCH112 Keep awake be always ready (Arthur Clyde) New words to the tune for "Wake awake for night is flying", which I thought was a familiar Advent tune until we sang this at Brunswick last year... I particularly like the second verse of this one. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
• Traditional / ATA 124 / SLW42 / UMH494 / GtG472 / PH338 / W&R487 / Cha590 / PfAS079A Kumbaya, my Lord (South Carolina Creole Song) I think this song is really beautiful sometimes. Sometimes it’s really awful too, unfortunately. If we sing this as a song from an enslaved community seeking the presence of God, it is much more meaningful than if we sing it as a 1960s folk song. My thoughts and some helpful links.
  
• AA162 Yes as the clay in the potter's hand (Cecily Sheehy) I do not actually have this book or know this song, but you might, and it fits this reading well. 
  
• TiS 626 / AHB 557 / CH500 / GA423 / Lau888 Lord of creation to you be all praise! (Jack Winslow) A wonderful traditional and quite inclusive hymn to the familiar tune SLANE. Lyrics.
• StF183 Praise to the God who clears the way (Jan Berry) Good words to a simple tune. Each verse reflects on a different nature of God: clearing the way, coming to judge, waiting with us, and bringing comfort. Lyrics and chords. 
• AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Tony Barr) Simple three part chant "Remember we are your people, your people O God". This would work really well as a sung refrain during the prayer of confession. It would also be good for kids if you can explain the concept. Sound sample. 
• Online Resource / ACS902 Come now O God when our love is forsaken (David Bjorlin) Reflective words of seeking for God to come in the midst of sadness. Set to a traditional folk tune, which may not be familiar, so will need to be taught. Or perhaps the congregation could just listen. Sound sample, sheet music and lyrics sample and purchasing options.
• Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC '07 Forgive us now (Dave Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. “Forgive us now, O mother love for all the idols we have built, For all the time we’ve worshipped there in company of dark despair. Forgive us mother of all hope”. Free downloadable songbook.
• Online Resource / Tune In You in all our worries / All will finish well (Dave Brown)“In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Free downloadable songbook.
• SP&P020 We are waiting for you (Christopher Grundy) A gentle song of waiting. Would be good for the musicians to sing for the congregation during a meditative part of the service, or to commence the service. This song would also work well during distribution of communion. Sound sample.
• Online Resource We are clay (Bruce Harding) A simple chorus which could be used prayerfully or in an upbeat style; if you sing it about twice the speed of the sound sample, swung, with some percussion, it would be a great song for kids if you are talking to them about pottery wheels. Free sheet music. Sound sample.   
• Online Resource In ruins where we sit and weep (David Bjorlin / Sally Ann Morris) Beautiful words about our brokenness, and God's grace, sung to a solemn and beautiful tune. Probably better for a soloist than a congregation. Sheet music and lyrics sample, and purchasing options. Sound sample.  
  

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Restore us, let your face shine that we may be saved. 

• TiS 265 / AHB 193 / AoV1-174 / NCH116 / CH273 / UMH211 / VU001 / LBW034 / ELW283 / GA285 / HPP92 / GtG088 / PH009 / GC317 / GC(II)323 / G(3)395 / CP089 / CP(E) 32 / W&R154 / Cha119 / 82Hml-056 / Lau112 / StF280 / MP493 O come O come Emmanuel (Psalerolium Cantionum Catholicarum) A very well known ancient Advent carol. The lyrical reference to Israel is confusing and this year (2023) in particularly will require some exposition for your congregation. Most versions are pretty inclusive. Lyrics, 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. Oldy-but-a-goody and New words to old tunes.
• CH573 / UMH523 / GtG789 / PfAS061B / STB059 Jesus Savior Lord lo to thee I fly / Saranam Saranam (Daniel Thambyrajah Niles) I think this would be an excellent song to sing, not only because the words are good and because the tune is simple and beautiful, but because we need to keep praying for the people of Sri Lanka. You could use just the refrain if you would like a short song - it works quite well on its own.  Story.  Lyrics & chords.
• TiS 42 / GA047 Lord make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved (Kathleen Boschetti) A simple refrain and mostly inclusive cantor part. We have sung this at Brunswick some years ago and it went very well. Don't forget that you can use these refrains with a reader if you don't have someone confident enough to cantor.
• PfAS080C O Shepherd hear and lead your flock (Michael Morgan) Strong mournful and formal words to the rather Christmassy tune ST LOUIS. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Tune In / Online Resource Longing for you (Elaine Loukes) A simple chant of longing for God. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics and sound samples. Good for kids.
• W&R632 / Cha512 When Aimless Violence Takes Those We Love (Joy Patterson) Excellent words for a time of grieving violent death; this won't suit most congregations, but perhaps there is one who needs it this Advent. It's sung to the well known tune SURSUM CORDA. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Emergent Psalter Restore us God (Isaac Everett) Another good refrain and read Psalm with instrumental backing. I'm still loving this book. Sheet music (refrain only, click on the Downloads tab)
• Tune In / Online Resource Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Free downloadable songbook, sound samples and lyrics.
• Online Resource Restore us (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A hopeful contemporary song. This is simple enough for a congregation to sing the first time, I think, but if you're feeling less hopeful about the singing ability of your congregation, they could just join in on the VERY simple chorus! Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
• Online Resource / AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Tony Barr) Simple three part chant "Remember we are your people, your people O God". This would work really well as a sung refrain during the prayer of confession. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
• VU239 O great Spirit how I long to hear (Doreen Clellamin) Written by a First Nations Canadian woman, this very simple song would be best with a good hand-clapping rhythm or drumming. Lyrics (in an order of service). 
• StJ / G(II)346 / GC506 / GC(II)508 / G(3)586 You Are All We Have (Francis Patrick O'Brien) A nice refrain and good cantor parts. Somewhat formal. Sound sample, sheet music sample and a different sound sample.
• NCH563 / MV143 / HPP260 / GC710 / GC(II)703 / G(3)811 / RS 636 / Cha684 / URW169 / Lau688 We cannot own the sunlit sky / Abundant life (Ruth Duck) I like these words full of hope for the future. I would prefer to sing it to the tune of "How can I keep From singing". LA GRANGE is the other option. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Psalm Project (2010) Shout for Joy Turn and restore us (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is a little bit country. Very cool, and I think a younger congregation would probably pick this up fairly quickly. Sound sample.  
• G(II)69 / GC74 The vineyard of the Lord (Michael Guimont) A very simple refrain and read or cantored Psalm. Sample refrain music and lyrics. Sound sample.

1 Corinthians 1:3-9  
Words of greeting. Not lacking in spiritual gifts as you wait for Christ; Any Advent song listed on the general Advent songs page would work for this reading. 

• Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Tricia Watts) This is so easy, and so cool. If you have some groovy musicians, this can even be a very funky rock song. Very easy, and great for kids and non-readers. Sound and sheet music samples, purchasing options.
  
• ATFG514 Emmanuel Carol / God of light we are waiting for you (Gael Berberick) This is a lovely song; you will need to teach it, but once it's known, it's pretty easy. Sheet music sample. If you sang this during Advent, this may be a good opportunity to repeat it.
• Online Resource / AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord (Nathaniel Ford) Simple acapella round "We wait in hope for the Lord, God is our help and our shield. And so our hearts rejoice, for we trust in God's holy name". Sound and sheet music samples, purchasing options.
• Tune In / Online Resource Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Dave Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". Free downloadable songbook.

Mark 13:24-37
Keep awake. The son of Man is coming in the clouds.

• Online Resource Come Christmas Child (Shirley Murray) A wonderful new song expressing that Christ will come amid the pain and hurt that exists in the world. The tune is not easy - it will need to be taught, but the lyrics will make it worth the time! Lyrics and sheet music.
• AoV1-057 / G(II)485 /  GC678 / GC(II)663 / G(3)766 / Lau824 Awake from your slumber / City of God (Dan Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day”. There is a little bit of non-inclusiveness in the middle "bridge" section; last time we sang this, we just left the bridge out, and it made the song simpler too! Being Advent, maybe it would be OK to change it to "WILL turn the night into day"? Sample sheet music & lyrics. Sound sample.
• NCH121 / UMH210 / VU005 / WoV629 / ELW266 / W&R163 / Cha139 All earth is waiting / All earth is hopeful / Toda la tierra espera al Salvador (Alberto Taule) Fun Catalonian tune, good words, although the English translations vary between sources. Could be good for kids. A nice recording from Chile in Spanish. Slow and majestic organ sample and English lyrics.
• GC324 / RS 492 Here in this world where darkness surrounds us / Come O Hope of your people/Advent Gathering (Rory Cooney) Excellent questioning words. Cantor and response. Simple to sing, and quite beautiful "Show us your face, O promise of dawn". It's in 7/8 so it immediately appeals to me.... Sheet music sample. 
• Recorded music The Trumpet Child (Over the Rhine). We used this song a fair bit in Advents past. For those who have not heard it, it's really worth a couple of listens. You can watch a video and read lyrics of the song here.
• GA281 Gather in hope people of God / Advent Song (Browne / 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.
• Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / GtG137 / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / G(3)429 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love/ Jesus came bringing us hope (Traditional Cameroon) The translation in "More Voices" (Jesus came bringing...) seems particularly appropriate for Advent and it could easily work as an Advent Candle lighting song. Just sing hope, love, peace or joy, depending on the week. Would be more exciting and energetic with some African drums, rather than a quiet reflective candle lighting song. Lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.
• TiS 309 / AHB 235 / NCH126 / CH324 / UMH220 / VU036 / LBW050 / ELW275 / GtG143 / CP143 / G(3)438 / CP(E) 44 / W&R189 / Cha149 / Srce2-29 / 82Hml-093 / Lau131 Angels from the realms of glory (James Montgomery) Sometimes I am very hard core about not singing Christmas Carols in Advent, but I'm getting less strict, especially since learning about Sheffield Carols, and this song would fit. Lyrics and one possible tune.
• AoV2-140 / NCH125 / UMH238 / VU038 / LBW071 / ELW289 / GA286 / HPP125 / PH022 / GtG113 / GC358 / GC(II)369 / G(3)430 / W&R188 / Cha155 / 82Hml-096 / Lau130 Angels we have heard on high (French traditional) See above. Christmas or Advent?! History, sheet music and sound sample.
• UMH719 / VU708 / WoV627 / ELW832 / GtG352 / PH449 / W&R537 / Cha708 / StF179 My Lord what a morning (Traditional African-American)  I quite like this one. Needs some context, so most appropriate for congregations in the USA. Lyrics.
  

What will you be singing? Please share your ideas in a comment below!