Ezekiel 37:1-14
Ezekiel and the bones!
- Traditional Ezekiel connected them dry bones / Dem Bones (James Weldon Johnson, USA) Would be great for the kid’s song. Good for kids. Here's the Delta Rhythm Boys.
- Online Resource We seek you with our questions Lord (Hannah Brown, USA) Excellent new words, which could be used to many familiar tunes (e.g. ELLACOMBE) or a new one. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- GWA029 In ages past the mighty Lord by prophets spoke the word
(Michael Morgan, USA) This is a song with very many verses; choose at least
verses 1 and 4 this week, and you can sing other verses when you want to
sing about other prophets. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (vs 3 is the Ezekiel verse!). New words to old tunes.
- WoV658 / ELW506 / URW078The word of God is source and seed (Dolores Dufner, USA) "The
Word of God is breath and life; It comes to heal and wake and save. So
let the Spirit touch and mend and rouse your dry bones from their
grave". Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
- StF163 When listening prophets dare to speak
(Daniel Damon, USA) Great words, especially for a time when the church is
grieving past wrongs it has committed and working out how to live
meaningfully again. Lyrics.
- Online Resource Come watch for the green that shows after a fire (Hannah Brown, USA) Beautiful words about renewal, set to the familiar tune COLUMCILLE. Sheet music sample and lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies
(Marty Haugen, USA) A very joyful song for cantor and congregation, or small group
and congregation; this is a big favourite in our church. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample.
- TiS 409 / AHB 322 / CH595 / UMH543 / VU202 / StJ / SLW43 / W&R328 / Cha250 / StF391 / MP488 O Breath of life come sweeping through us (Elizabeth Porter Head, Northern Ireland / England) This is a really good older style hymn with inclusive lyrics. Lyrics and sheet music. Not all verses are in all hymnals. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS
419 / NCH270 / CH592 / A&M252 / UMH544 / VU205 / WoV685 / ELW403 /
HPP222 / GtG285 / PH314 / CP635 / CP(E) 185 / W&R327 / SP92 / 82Hml-513 / StF389 Like the murmur of the dove's song (Carl P Daw, USA) Excellent words and a simple tune about Christian unity. Each verse ends with "Come holy spirit, come". Lyrics and sheet music.
- Online Resource O dry bones hear the word of God (Linnea Good, Canada) A story-telling songs - not so much a congregational song, but you could watch the video, or some musicians could present it to the congregation. Thanks to Judy for this suggestions. Video.
- Protest and Praise / Online Resource Holy Spirit Come / The whisper of a distant wind (David
Bjorlin, USA / Sally Ann Morris, USA) This is really beautiful. The refrain could
be used on its own as a meditation, or include the verses, sung slowly
either by the congregation or by a soloist. "Within a field of dry bones
where nothing grows but death, the whisper of a distant wind inspires
the lifeless breath". See what I mean? Songbook for purchase.
- Online Resource Can these bones live? (David MacGregor, Australia) Thoughtful lyrics and a restful soothing tune. Youtube, lyrics and sheet music.
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord
- Iona (Sent By the Lord) / MV066 Senzenina? / What have we done?
(South African) This beautiful chant from South Africa asks the
question that we often ask when things go wrong beyond belief. It's
important to know what the song means when singing it. If you have some
part-singers in your congregation, this would be particular good. It's
good to let people ask this question. It is also on the soundtrack for
"The Power of One" so you could also play the recorded music if
appropriate. Free sheet music.
- Online Resource With the Lord there is mercy
(Val Parker) A simple gospel refrain with cantored chant for the
verses. You could use a reader for the verses if you don't have a
cantor, the refrain makes sense without the verses. Sound and sheet music samples, and purchasing options.
- Recorded Music Out of the depths (Sinéad O'Connor) A sensitive and heart-felt version of this Psalm. From the album Theology. Youtube video. Lyrics.
-
TiS 683 / WoV735 / ELW603 / W&R416 / StF649 God when human bonds are broken (Fred Kaan)
These words pick up an unusual theme, and fit really well with this
reading. There are a couple of possible tunes, none of which are
immediately familiar, but they are not difficult either. Lyrics.
-
SFFS 2136 / NCH554 / GA227 / VU611 / G(II)636 / GC877 / Cha510 Out of the Depths O God we call to you
(Ruth Duck) A simple and honest hymn, which sings this Psalm from
the perspective of a community trying to work out its faith together.
Excellent words and the tune is quite straightforward. Lyrics and video.
-
Taizé / CH276 / VU22 / GtG090 / ELW262 / GA283 / A&M053 / G(II)256 / GC332 /
GC(II)340 / G(3)406 / CP094 / W&R166 / PfAS037B / SP28 / URW396 / Lau088 Wait for the Lord
(Jacques Berthier) Wait for the Lord whose day is near, wait for the
lord, keep watch, take heart. A lovely simple Taize chant. Sheet music, translations and sound samples.
- PfAS130E In deep despair I cry to you (Joy Patterson) Good words of hope, sung to the familiar and lovely tune MORNING SONG. Sheet music sample (downloads an order of service). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord / Wait in hope
(Nathaniel Ford) Simple a cappella 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 sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
-
PfAS103B Out of the depths (Kathleen Harmon) A nice refrain. "Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord".
- G(3)143 With the Lord there is Mercy
(Michael Guimont) A simple refrain to a cantor- or reader-lead reading.
Sound sample.
-
Cha762 From the depths I cry to you God listen hear my voice
(Goodrich) Simple sung response, and responsive reading.
- Protest and Praise / Online Resource In our deepest grief / We wait for you (David
Bjorlin / Randall Sensmeier) A beautiful song of waiting, even in
sorrow and fear; not so easy to sing - I would use a soloist. Songbook for purchase. Sound sample (I prefer it to be a little more tentative than this).
-
Online resource Out of the Depths (Bruce Harding)
A simple four part arrangement which would be nice if you have a choir
or quartet that could sing this. Sound sample and sheet music.
-
Online Resource / NCH472 /
UMH474 / VU670 / R297 / ELW875 / HPP434 / GtG834 / PH404 / G(II)637 / GC874 /
GC(II)847 / G(3)955 / CP509 / W&R500 / Cha628 / LUYH465 Precious Lord take my hand (Thomas Dorsey) A classic gospel song. Free sheet music. Lyrics. Sound sample. Story.
- Online Resource / TiS 667 / G(II)415 / GC591 How shall I sing to God
(Brian Wren) The words are excellent, but neither the tune in TiS or Gather
hymnals is straightforward because of the difficult meter; this might be
a good song for your musicians to present to start teaching the
congregation so they can remember it in more difficult times. Lyrics and sheet music for the TiS version.
-
PfAS130G For you my God I wait (Adam Tice) A good reflective song, needs to be played quite slowly and meditatively I think. Sound sample.
- Online Resource Out of the depths (Thomas Keesecker)
Although arranged for choir, this song is simple and repetitive enough
to be used as a meditative song for congregational worship. Sound sample, PDF sample, and purchasing options.
The
next 3 are all variations of the same Gelineau (cantored) Psalm, but
with different responses. They are all pretty good, so I'm listing them
all! There is just one change needed to make the Psalm inclusive (just
change "his word" to "God's word" and it will be fine). -
GA077 / GC128 Out of the depths / I place all my trust in you O God (Gelineau) The original response from Gelineau. Very simple. Words to
the response are "I place all my trust in you O God, all my hope is in
your saving word".
-
G(II)113 / GC127 / GC(II)71 / G(3)87 Out of the Depths / With the Lord There Is Mercy
(Gelineau / Haugen) This response is also quite simple, but a slightly
different emphasis. "With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of
redemption". Not all versions are inclusive Sound sample and sheet music.
-
TiS 81 Out of the depths / With the Lord there is Mercy
(Gelineau / Carroll) Simple response is "With the Lord there is mercy
and fullness of redemption". We have used this once at Brunswick Uniting and
it went quite well. Sound sample.
Romans 8:6-11
Flesh vs. spirit
- Tune In / Online Resource Spirit of the Father, Spirit of our Mother / Alive in me (Sheree
Anderson, Australia / Canada) Catchy boppy pop song about God's spirit within us and within
the world. Music sample, sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids. Music sample, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
- Online Resource The gospel of my body (Amanda
Udis-Kessler, USA) This song affirms the holiness of our bodies, and how our
nature as embodied beings drives our call to social justice. Sound sample. Sheet music.
- TiS 410 / AHB 323 / LBW523 / ELW582 / NCH59 / CP655 / 82Hml-511 Holy Spirit, ever dwelling (Timothy Rees, Wales) I like these words, but prefer to sing it to NETTLETON (TiS 392). Lyrics and sound sample. New words to old tunes.
-
NCH057 / VU379 / WoV688 / LBW459 / ELW399 / SFFS 2121 / CP(E) 188 / Cha251 / URW079 / VF055 O Holy Spirit root of life (Jean Janzen, Canada / USA) Good words from Hildegard of Bingen of "Holy Spirit","Eternal
Vigour" and "Holy Wisdom". I like the phrase "encompass us with wings
unfurled". Simple known tune (PUER NOBIS). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 421 Where the Spirit is there's freedom (Per Harling, Sweden)
Fun and good. Can be sung with the congregation in two halves singing
each part, which is not too hard once they have the hang of singing it
in unison. Good for kids. Lyrics.
- SFFS 2228 / Online Resource Sacred the Body (Ruth Duck, USA) Excellent words - and it's not easy to find good songs for this
passage. The
tune is new, but very simple and beautiful. It will be picked up very
quickly by most congregations. "Sacred the body God has created, temple
of Spirit that dwells deep inside. Cherish each person; nurture
relation. Treat flesh as holy, that love may abide." Lyrics and sheet music.
- NCH060 O Spirit of God
(Johann Niedling, Germany) Good words of the many facets of the Spirit. The first verse
is particularly appropriate for times when there seems to be more
suffering in the world than usual. The tune (O HELIGER GEIST - TiS 401)
is quite simple and familiar. This is a new translation of the hymn "O
Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God". New words to old tunes
John 11:1-45
Healing of Lazarus
- Tune In / Online Resource See our God with the tear-streaked face / Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
- Recorded Music Lazarus (Malcolm Gordon) A song seeking personal healing of our own Lazarus within. Sound sample and purchase options.
- Online Resource / TLUS065 When all else is gone (Shirley
Murray, New Zealand) These words of holding on to hope, faith and love
in difficult times have been set to a simple tune by Jim Strathdee. It
would be a very soothing song for those who are struggling. Lyrics and sheet music.
- NCH192 / VU146 / SFFS 2106 / HPP183 / PH312 / Cha199 / 82Hml-715 When Jesus wept
(William Billings) I like this simple round - partly because it's by a Sacred
Harp composer. It's also very restful and beautiful. I quite like this video sound sample. This might be a good song for the musicians to sing during the offering, or in a prayer of confession.
- FFS09 Christ of the sad face (Shirley Murray) Christ weeps for the city, the earth. A longing for peace. Lyrics and an alternative tune.
- Online Resource / VU471 / W&R692 / URW122 Eat this bread and never hunger
(Daniel Charles Damon) Very simple tune. The first verse refers to this passage.
Particularly good if you are celebrating communion this week, but will
be fine if you are not. I will suggest this song again next week and the week after, so this is a good week to introduce it! Lyrics and sheet music.
- Online Resource / TiS 682 / ATW 490 / GA236 / A&M355 / AA151 / SP148 When human voices cannot sing
(Shirley Murray) Lovely words of healing in the face of grief. I prefer
this sung to ST COLUMBA, which is the tune in GA and TiS. Lyrics and sheet music.
- TiS
382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW379 / GA364 / A&M212 / HPP210 / GtG247 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / G(3)534 / CP237 / CP(E) 153 / W&R311 / Cha230 / 82Hml-204 / Lau278 / StF306 Now the green blade rises (John McLeod Campbell Crum) I love these words and this simple French folk tune (NOEL
NOUVELET) . I
particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano
arrangement too. Lyrics and tune sample. New words to old tunes
- Online Resource Lord if only you had been here (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) Good words about Mary's reproach to Jesus, and our own questioning of where God is in times of difficulty. Sung to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 210 / AHB 141 / NCH042 / CH352 / UMH57 / VU326 / LBW42 / ELW295 /
A&M742 / HPP74 / GtG610 / PH466 / CP306 / CP(E) 534 / W&R96 /
Cha005 / Srce506 / 82Hml-493 / StF364 / MP496 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Charles Wesley)
A classic. I particularly love NATIVITY for these words, and it's such a
fun tune. Be careful with the words "ye
dumb". Voices United has "Hear him you deaf, you voiceless ones, your
tongues again employ" which is more respectful. Lyrics and sheet music.Oldy-but-a-goody.
- WoV658 / ELW506 / URW078 The word of God is source and seed (Delores Dufner) "The
Word of God is source and seed; It comes to die and sprout and grow. So
make your dark earth welcome warm; Root deep the grain God bent to
sow." Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
- TLUS091 In life in death (Bruce Harding, Canada) A simple chant that can be sung as a round; picks up on the idea of living and dying in Christ.
- AoVK-125 / ATW 489 Turn our sadness upside down (Leigh Newton) Good for kids, and adults too. Simple tune, but not so simple that it’s boring. Sheet music.
- Tune In / Online Resource 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. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
- Recorded Music See How Deep (Malcolm Gordon) This song of devotion is based on the thought of Jesus weeping over Lazarus and the crucifixion. Sound sample and purchse options.
What ideas do you have? Please share them in a comment below!
The sacrifice and eating of the Passover lamb.
Agnus Dei
- GWA073 / GtG602 O Lamb of God / Ya hamalaLah (Yusuf
Khill, Palestine) This would be good to sing, particularly as we hope for a continuing ceasefire between Palestine and Israel. It is not too difficult, and can even be sung in Arabic (see GtG for that). If you choose to use it, there is also a Kyrie (GWA051) and a Sanctus (GWA072)
from the same mass, which you may also want to use. Sound sample (clunky instrumental)
- Online Resource / GWA074 Lamb of God with love poured out you suffer with the world (Lenora and Gary Rand, USA / The Many) This would be particularly good for a Maundy Thursday service. Beautiful. Sound sample and purchasing options.
- Online Resource O Christ, Lamb of God (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) A more modern Agnus Dei, with Christ sharing our weakness. Lyrics and sound sample.
- Sing Alleluia / Fresh Sounds 041 Jesus Lamb of God (Betty Pulkingham, Australia) This is one of my favourite
Agnus Deis (what's the plural of Agnus Dei?). A little bit of the tune. Good for kids.
- ATAR657 / The word became a song Jesus, lamb of God
(Robin Mann, Australia) A nice new Agnus Dei. Quite simple to sing. Youtube.
- Online Resource Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world (Jayne Southwick Cool, USA) A very simple and beautiful Lamb of God. Sheet music (look for the PDF symbol) and lyrics.
- ATAR648 / Online Resource Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
(Kevin Keil, USA) A simple and quite lovely extended Agnus Dei (written for Advent, but I think you can sing it in Lent also), with extra verses
of Morning Star, God with Us, Prince of Peace… Sound and sheet music samples, and download options.
- Iona (CAYP) / SP228 / URW413 / StF790 Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world / Lamb of God #1 (John Bell, Scotland) I really like this one. A simple, and quite meditative overlapping cantor and
response. It will need to be taught, but it will not take long for
people to pick it up. Keep it slow. Lyrics and teaching notes.
- Iona (T1AU) / CH790 / SP228 O Lamb of God (St Bride Setting)
(John Bell, Scotland) A simple, and quite beautiful setting, particularly if you can include the parts. A little challenging. Sound sample.
- AoV1-196 / GC171 / GC(II)152 / RS 329 Jesus, Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) (Marty Haugen, USA) from the Mass of Creation, so particularly good if you are using that entire setting. Sound sample and lyrics.
- GC213 / GC(II)319 / RS 469 / URW414 Jesus Lamb of God (Michael Joncas, USA) from his Psallite Mass. Sheet music sample.
- GtG603 Lamb of God (Paul Vasile, USA) This is really nice; will need to be taught. Jazzy chords! Sheet music preview.
- GtG604 Lamb of God (Robert Farlee, USA) A nice simple Agnus Dei. Lyrics & sound sample.
- TiS 705 / Iona (Common Ground, EoA) / W&R282 / SP320 / StF234 / Lau610 Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin (John Bell, Scotland) A simple Agnus Dei. Best if you can manage to get all four parts involved. Sheet music sample.
- ACS960 O lamb of God / Oi Jumalan Karitsa
(Petri Laaksonen, Finland) A lovely gentle Finnish Agnus Dei. Sound sample.
- AHB 448 Holy most holy Lamb of God (Daniel Thambyrajah Niles, Sri Lanka) Funky Philippino tune. Yeah, something groovy in the AHB!
- Music by Heart 06 Lamb of God
(Robinson McClellan, USA) A simple, and quite lovely call and response. This would
be very easy to sing even if new, provided you have a good song leader. Good for kids.
- CH778 Lamb of God you take away
(Fride Gustafsson, Sweden) A very simple Agnus dei. Easy to sing. Sound sample (choral).
- Lau1011 Lamb of God (Belmont) (Christopher Walker, England/USA) A very simple and beautiful meditative Agnus Dei. Sound sample.
- GC(II)318 / G(3)392 O Lamb Of God (Ralph Stewart, USA) Quite lovely and soothing call-and-response Agnus Dei. Sheet music sample.
- ELW198 / STB129 Lamb of God
(Mabel Wu, Hong Kong) An unusual Agnus Dei set to a Taiwanese tune. Will need to be
taught
- WoV621 Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world (Marty Haugen, USA) A canon. In 3/4. Seems quite nice and simple.
- TLUS141 / VT559 O Lamb of God I come / Agneau de Dieu je viens (Abraham Arpellet, West Africa) More a devotional song than a traditional Lamb of God. It is simple to sing.
- Public Domain / make it up as you go along O Lamb Of God (Donald Schmidt) You can sing the Agnus Dei to the traditional tune SHALOM CHAVERIM and sing it as a round. I really like this, and it's very simple. I don't know if it's actually published anywhere. "O Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, have mercy on us, and grant us your peace". Sheet music. New words to old tunes Good for kids.
- Recorded music Agnus Dei
There are very very many classical versions of the Agnus Dei. It might
be nice to play a recording while communion is distributed, or while
people light candles for their prayers. Some favourites: Agnus Dei set
to Samuel Barber's Adagio; I also like Palestrina. And Dunstable.
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
Commitment to God; lifting the cup of salvation- TiS 709 / Taizé Chuyo chuyo
(Korean words, Jacques Berthier, France) A short Korean chant, appropriate for an intercession
response, and can be sung as a round. Not hard for non-Koreans! It means
"Lord hear us". Good for kids. Sound sample (instrumental only).
- Unknown Source Psalm 116
(Linnea Good, Canada) is particularly beautiful and simple “I love you God; I know you
listen. You listened on the day I cried. When I called out to you in
anguish, you were my presence and my guide”. I think this is in our folders at church. I cannot find it online. Good for kids.
- URW311 I love you Lord you hear my cry
(Isaac Watts, England) A simple song with two verses, or PfAS116D uses it as a Psalm
refrain. It would be pretty amazing if
you can sing it in 4 parts, I reckon. The 2nd verse could be quite
appropriate on its own during intercessions. Older versions are not inclusive. Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 71 / VU617 / G(II)97 / GC108 I will walk in the presence of the Lord (Richard Proulx, USA) A beautiful cantored Psalm. The refrain is very simple. Doesn’t make sense without the cantor. Lyrics (in an order of worship).
-
GC109 I Will Walk in the Presence of God (Garry Daigle, USA) A simple lilting refrain. Inclusive verses. This could maybe be used as a chant on its own. Sheet music & lyrics. Sound sample.
- Taizé / TiS
741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW751 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 /
GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908
O Lord hear my prayer
(Jacques Berthier, France) A simple and very well known Taizé chant. Works well during
intercessions. You could read the Psalm between repeats of this chant,
or just use as a chant as is. Sheet music samples. Good for kids
- TiS 727 / SiS361 / ATE 208 / CH121 / AA70 / PfAS022F In the presence of your people (Brent Chambers, New Zealand) A good Yiddish tune - lots of fun for kids and adults. Good to get fast and dance around on this one. Good for kids. Or you could try: VU745 which uses the refrain only for singing with a reading of a
different Psalm, but it would also work for this one too. Lyrics (3 verses, but I only ever sing the first one).
- GC(II)755 / G(3)864 O the weary world is trudging / The trumpet in the morning (Rory Cooney, USA) Song of release of prisoners and the trumpet's blast. Sound sample. Lead sheet.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and John 13:1-17, 31b-35
The words of institution;
You might also like to look at the Communion songs page.
- Online Resource Lay down your palms
(Craig Mitchell / Leigh Newton, Australia) Excellent new words set to a thoughtful
tune which takes us from Palm Sunday through Maundy Thursday to the
Cross and Resurrection. You may wish to save the final verse until Sunday. Lyrics and sheet music.
- BUC Resource We are humbled by your grace
(David Stephens, Ian Ferguson, Saide Cameron, Australia) Some years ago, this song was written for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is in our folders.
- Praise for all Seasons I Remember
(David Brown, Australia) Our musicians sang this in 2014 while people were moving in to the space for communion "I
remember a man who came for his last meal, ate it with a group of
friends and it changed the world".
- ATAR658 Jesus, you are the bread we long for
(Bernadette Farrell) Excellent communion song, with 5 verses about God being bread
and wine for those who starve and thirst; themes of healing,
restoration and justice. Very straightforward flowing melody. We sang this not long ago, and it is really beautiful. It would be good to sing it again. Lyrics (in an order of service)
- ATAR659 The night of his betrayal / Remember now my children (John Ylvisaker) A good simple song of the words of institution. Will be easy to sing
- Online Resource / WoV701 / ELW487 / URW119 What Feast of Love
(Dolores Dufner) Very poetic devotional language about Christ as the bread,
light and wine. Sung to GREENSLEEVES. Maybe better as a solo initially
so people can just listen to the beauty of the words. Perhaps sung
during distribution of communion, or a song to sing while thinking about the prepared table? Sound sample, lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes
- Online Resource / AoVNG15 Bread of Life (Michael John Poirier) A nice gentle song. Would be good for distribution of communion.
Particularly good for Maundy Thursday. Our musicians sang it a couple of times in the last few years,
and it was just lovely. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purhasing options.
- Online Resourrce / GtG207 Sharing Pascal bread and wine / Shadows lengthen into night
(Mary Louise Bringle) Maundy Thursday A great song for a Tenebrae service, with
the chorus "Shadows lengthen into night", but could work for other
services too. Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- CH763 / MV193 God bless to us our bread
(Frederico Pagura / Traditional Argentinian) A lovely simple grace for meals and for
communion. More Voices has Spanish and French lyrics as well as English.
"God bless to us our bread, and give bread to all those who are hungry,
and hunger for justice to those who are fed. God bless to us our
bread". Sound sample (Track 1). Good for kids.
- ELW466 / FFS38 / SFFS 2255 / GtG533 / TLUS026 In the singing in the silence (Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Lovely words, simple tune in FFS; there are quite a few tunes to this. Lyrics.
- NCH344 / Iona (Enemy of Apathy) / GA385 / G(II)611 / Lau638 The time was early evening / Song of the Supper (John Bell) Great words to a familiar Celtic folk tune. We used to sing this one
often on Maundy Thursday; would be good to revisit it. "Oh the food comes from the baker, the drink
comes from the vine...". Sample sheet music.
- ATW 472 / NCYC'99 As we take this bread (Jane Dyson) A lovely simple communion chant. Good for kids.
- TiS 538 / AoV2-093 Feed us now Bread of life
(Robin Mann) One of my favourite communion songs. Simple to sing, and
beautiful simple theology. “Piece of bread, cup of wine, Lord this food
is good”. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / VU458 / AA017 / W&R276 Christ let us come with you (Shirley Murray) Tune in AA is simple, but not familiar. Good song for Maundy Thursday and the last week of Lent. Lyrics and sheet music.
- AoV1-132 / Cha289 / ELW524 / GA479 / GtG404 / G(II)541 / GC748 / GC(II)736 / VT023 What is this place where are we meeting?
(Hubertus Oosterhuis, Canada) Words about communion; being welcome at the table, sharing bread and
wine with each other, and being bread and wine for each other and the world. Simple tune. Lyrics & sound sample.
- ACS966 / GtG498 Loaves were broken words were spoken (Herman Stuempfle) Communion Excellent words for communion sung to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING (in GTG) or a new tune by Marty Haugen (in ACS). Lyrics (downloads a pdf that you will need to scroll through) New words to old tunes (if using BEACH SPRING).
- TiS 707 / Iona (Common Ground, LFB) / A&M429 / SP214 / StF576 Bread is blessed and broken (John Bell / Graham Maule) Very simple. Good for distribution of communion; not all versions are inclusive. Lyrics.
- ACS931 Where charity and love are shown / Donde hay caridad y amor (Joaquin Madurga) A joyful song telling the story of all of us gathering around the table together. Sound sample lyric video (in Spanish) with guitar chords.
- TiS 536 / AHB 453 / VU130 / GtG202 / PH094 / CP(E) 130 / W&R275 / Cha385 / Lau248 / StF569 An upper room did our Lord prepare (Fred Pratt Green) I really love this song, but we have not sung it much, even though it's so easy and lovely. Lyrics.New words to old tunes
- TiS 357 / ATA 147 When his time was over the palms lay where they fell / When our life began again (Robin Mann) Beautiful and mournful. Lyrics and sound sample.
- BUC Song Project Harvest our love
(Dave Brown). This song is just perfect for every communion service ever. It
would be good to sing this again, because it's been a while. Jazz.
- TiS 737 / Iona (Common Ground, HSNW, T1AU) / A&M516 / SP142 / URW427 / Lau437 Lord Jesus Christ lover of all
(John Bell) A beautiful and simple chant. Note that some versions (T1AU at
least) have a beautiful 4 part harmony arrangement with excellent moving
parts in the lower registers. Would work well during intercessions or during times of movement in the service. Sound sample.
- ATA 135 / VU132 Bitter was the night (Sydney Carter) Lyrics based on Peter's denial of Christ. Lyrics and sheet music.
- Iona (T1AU) / Cha430 Lo I Am With You to the end of the world (John Bell) Simple repetitive verses, in a nice minor key. Sound sample (youtube).
- ATOK 397 / Iona (LFB) / CH658 / VU462 / A&M426 / GtG428 / CP610 / Cha391 / SP211 / StF575 Before I take the body of my Lord / These I lay down (John Bell) A pre-communion confession. Lovely tune which is easy to sing. Lyrics.
- Taizé / TiS
714 / AoV1-125 /ATE 270 / CH661 / UMH628 / VU466 / WoV709 / ELW472 /
GtG527 / GA205 / A&M442 / G(II)588 / GC838 / GC(II)806 / G(3)941 / RS928 / CP063 / W&R697 /
Cha414 / SP229 / URW379 / Lau633 / StF583 Eat this bread drink this cup
(Robert Batastini) Excellent, particularly if you have a capable
cantor. Some resources say "Come to him and never be hungry", but others have "come to me / trust in me".Sound sample.
- ATW 478 / Iona (T1AU) / CH799 / A&M469 / G(3)951 / SP230 / URW420 This is the body of Christ
(John Bell) A very simple and gentle chant for distribution of communion
"This is the body of Christ, broken that we may be whole; This cup, as
promised by God, true to God's word, cradles our Lord: food for the good
of the soul." Note, I did a sneaky little lyric change there... see if
you can find it. Sound sample.
- Iona (Enemy of Apathy) He comes in the gathering gloom (John Bell)
- Online Resource / CH484
/ UMH579 / WoV666 / ELW358 / A&M169 / PH353 /
CP442 / CP(E) 133 / W&R55 / SP57 / URW087 / StF499 Great God Your Love Has Called Us Here
(Brian Wren) Good words to a standard hymn tune (MELITA). Gathering,
confession, response, communion, and sending out all in one hymn. This
is a good all-rounder. Sheet music and lyrics. New words to old tunes.
-
STB297 Broken communion tore you apart / Gallajin apŭmŭl (Junchol Hong) A simple and solemn Korean chant, including a section that is just hummed; the two sections could be sung at the same time. Can be sung in English or Korean. Sample sheet music.
Songs for foot-washing:
- TiS 640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 /
HPP446 / GtG203 / PH367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / G(3)505 / CP504
/ W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 / Lau241 / StF249 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Tom Colvin & people of Ghana) Lyrics. Good for kids.
- Online Resource In this room a towel and basin (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, USA) Excellent words, set to a standard hymn tune. Lyrics.
- On the road Mystery of servant love (Ross Langmead, Australia) Excellent song, with much feeling about Christ's suffering, death, and servanthood. Sound sample.
- Online Resource On this night (David MacGregor, Australia) A simple song about the events of this night. Sheet music.
- Online Resource / GWA116 All the room was hushed ans still / Love Each Other (Graham Kendrick, England) Quite anthemic. A strong call to love each other, as Jesus has loved us, and to walk together. Lyrics, sound samples, purchasing options.
- Recorded Music The basin and the towel
(Michael Card, USA) Excellent lyrics about how this story lives again every
time we "wash the feet" of others. You could play the song, or ask your musicians to sing it. Thanks to Pam Purdin in the Facebook group for suggesting this song. Lyrics. Youtube. Sheet music.
- ATN38 One by one you call us home / Like autumn leaves upon the ground (Robin Mann, Australia) Lovely words of comfort to a folk tune; includes imagery of Jesus washing our feet. Lyrics.
- GC(II)431 / G(3)507 Jesus our teacher and our Lord / So you must do (Marty Haugen, USA) A nice song for the musicians to sing during foot-washing; it's not so easy. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
- Taizé / CH801
/ MV170 / StJ / GtG205 / WoV665 / ELW642 / SFFS 2179 / GC408 /
GC(II)430 / G(3)500 / CP553 / W&R399 / Cha523 / URW394 / StF783 / Lau244b Live in charity / Ubi Caritas (Jacques Berthier, France)
Usually sung in Latin, but can also be sung just as beautifully as "Live in
charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell with you."
Sheet music and sound samples for practice. Good for kids.
End of service:
- Online Resource Nothing is wasted (David
Bjorlin) A simple gospel-style chorus, which fits well with the idea
that even difficult times are not a waste. I love this. We sang this last year on Maundy Thursday and it was great. I suspect we only sang verse 1. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / BUC Song Project The night is dark and lonely / In Darkness (for Maundy Thursday) (Julia Potter, Australia) A lovely chant that can be sung as a round. It will need to be taught; once you get it, it's mesmerising. Free sheet music, sound sample and lyrics.
- Online Resource / GWA118 Stay with me the night has come (David Bjorlin, USA) A beautiful simple chant, set to an old Welsh tune. This is very lovely, and will be easily picked up. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- Iona (The courage to say no) / CH371 / StS085 Lay down your head Lord Jesus Christ
(John Bell / Graham Maule) This song would be good for the end of a Maundy Thursday
service, particularly if sung simply by a soloist if it is not familiar
to your congregation. "What lies ahead we fear to guess… Lay down your
head and, by your side, we'll sleep and stay".We sang this a couple of years ago. Sound sample.
- Online Resource Watch and pray with me a while (Helen Wright) A lovely simple song, particularly appropriate for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Youtube and link to downloads.
- Iona (T1AU) / Cha430 Lo I am with you to the end of the world (John Bell) Simple repetitive verses, in a nice minor key. Sheet music sample.
- Online Resource O Jesus who travelled
(Hannah Brown / Sally Ann Morris) Following Jesus on the journey to the
cross. If you choose to use this, I recommend using it again on Good Friday. The tune is excellent and immediately
singable. Beautiful. Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample, and purchasing options.
- Online Resource Pray with me the night has come (David
Bjorlin) A beautiful song of waiting and watching; sufficiently repetitive for people to sing without lyrics if you would like. Sung to a beautiful old Welsh tune. Lyrics, sheet music sample, sound sample, and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Taizé /
AoV2-088 / ATOK 395 / CH793 / VU950 / ELW348 / GA325 / A&M172 /
SFFS 2198 / GtG204 / W&R286 / SP61 / Lau249 / StF780 Stay with me / Bleibet hier (Jacques Berthier) A very well known chant. Sheet music and sound samples.
- Iona / VU33 Watch, watch and pray (John Bell) This Advent chant also has lyrics for Maundy Thursday.
- Taizé / ATE 287 / WoV667 / GA321 / G(II)298 / GC411 / GC(II)433 / G(3)502 Stay here and keep watch
(Jacques Berthier) Not very well known, but very good for the end of Maundy
Thursday. Most would use "Stay with me, remain with me", but this is a
nice alternative. Sound sample.
- Taizé / CP194 / URW392 Stay with us / Bleib mit deiner Gnade / Night will soon fall (Jacques Berthier) Another good one from Taizé. The phrase "Night will soon fall" is particularly appropriate for Maundy Thursday. Sheet music and sound samples.
- VU182 Stay with us through the night (Walter Farquharson) Simple and gentle sorrowful, but hopeful song. Instrumental sound sample.
- AoV2-024 / URW407 Holy Darkness (Dan Schutte) Beautiful words based on John of the Cross. Might want to use a cantor if this is not familiar to your congregation. URW has only the refrain. Lyrics and sound sample.
- StF267 Jesus in the olive grove (Fred Pratt Green) This is full of the horror of the end of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. I'm not sure that I actually like it, but Good Friday's not necessary a day full of songs that make you feel good. Particularly suitable for a tenebrae service. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / GWA150 Darkness is a gift of God
(David Bjorlin / Swee Hong Lim) Not specifically about Maundy Thursday, but since this is one of the few evening services we have at our church, this reflection on the presence of God particularly in darkness could work. Lyrics and sheet music sample, and purchasing options.
Share your ideas - what will you be singing? What did you sing this year? Post a comment below.
