1 Samuel 2:1-10
and Luke 1:39-57
Hannah wants a son, and prays to God without a mediator; Mary is expecting a son too!
Songs that fit more with the 1 Samuel reading:
- Online Resource / GWA027 My soul rejoices in the Lord (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) A hymn setting of Hannah's song set to the folk carol "Seven Joys of Mary". Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource My heart exults in the Lord (Jason
D Locke) This is a beautiful chanted version of Hannah's song with a
simple refrain. Best if you can use parts, but also lovely without the
parts. Sheet music. Sound sample. Please contact Jason on jason_@_islingtonunited.org to seek permission.
- NCH015 My heart is overflowing
(Miriam Therese Winter) Excellent words to a simple flowing tune. This song is one of
very few written specifically based on Hannah's song. The
tune is new, but would not take too long to learn. Lyrics.
- Online Resource My heart exults in the Lord
(Jason Silver) This could be sung quite beautifully by a soloist. Probably too challenging for a congregation. Sound sample, and links to sheet music available.
- Online Resource My heart rejoices, my horn is lifted up
(Alicia Samaai) You may like to
listen to this song, and perhaps play it for your congregation. Again,
this is not a congregational song, but I think it's really nice. Video.
- WoV692 / ELW419 / GtG324 / RS885 For all the faithful women
(Herman Steumpfle) Great words of the faithfulness of women, including
Hannah, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Deborah and Miriam. Sung to a very
familiar tune (AURELIA). You could choose just the verses you want so
it's not too long, (but all the verses are good). Some words are a bit
odd (like the bit about saving "our race" could unfortunately be easily
misconstrued). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Taizé / TiS
741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / 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) 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.
- SFFS 2189 A mother lined a basket (Mary
Nelson Keithahn)
Quite a remarkable song about the nurture mothers provide and the risks
they take in letting children go, with Jochabed and Hannah being prime
examples.
This celebrates more that Hannah's son did arrive. "A mother sewed a jacket lined in the softest wool, then dressed her
little boy-child, her cup of blessing full. She brought him to the
temple where he would serve and live. God's people had a prophet. She
had such faith to give.". Could be sung to other tunes such as
THORNBURY. Lyrics. New words to old tunes (if you choose one) .
- TiS 690 / CH259 / A&M557 / StS115 / SP237 / Srce54 / StF693 / MP806 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Graham Kendrick)
Themes of healing from personal and universal suffering and an emotive
chorus. “Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear, cities for sanctuary,
freedoms to share, peace to the killing-fields, scorched earth to
green; Christ for the bitterness, his cross for the pain”. It's a bit schmaltzy. Lyrics, sound samples and chord charts.
- TiS
560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 /
A&M584 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 / 82Hml-665 / Lau959 / StF455 / MP016 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded
(Joachim Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not
inclusive, but the translation by Fred Pratt Green in UMH, NCH and WoV are; these are also available online, so use them! A really interesting article about the various translations. Oldy-but-a-goody.
Songs about Mary visiting Elizabeth:
- SoG827 A wife so long childless (Elizabeth Smith, Australia) Excellent words reflecting on the joy shared by Mary and Elizabeth, set to the lovely tune COLUMCILLE. Lyrics (scroll down in the PDF). New words to old tunes.
- VU012 She walked in the summer / The Visit
(Miriam Therese Winter, USA) This has lovely words about Mary visiting Elizabeth. It's a
little mushy, but I like it. "Be brave with the burden you are blessed
to bear for it's Christ that you carry everywhere". Lyrics. Recording.
Settings / Interpretations of the Magnificat:
-
Online Resource My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord / Canticle of Mary (ValLimar Jansen / Frank Jansen) This is a setting for gospel cantor and response. I would just use the response with a reader in our congregation, because the verses are quite tricky. Sound and sheet music samples and purchasing options.
- Online Resource / GWA094 My soul sings in gratitude (Joy Cowley) No tune! This is a poem, which would be lovely to have read (preferably by a young woman) to your congregation. Poem.
- MV120 / StS124 / R245 / ELW723 / HPP88 / GtG100 / G(II)376 / GC556 / GC(II)527 / G(3)622 / PfAS075B / URW018 My soul cries out with a joyful shout (Canticle of the Turning)
(Rory Cooney) This is my favourite Magnificat! No, really!! "Could the world be about
to turn?" It's sung to a folk tune (STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN). Lyrics & Sheet music samples. New words to old tunes.
- CH291 When out of poverty is born (Kathy Galloway)
An excellent set of words for Advent that reflects on God's good news
for the poor and the strength of Mary's faith. Set to the familiar tune
KINGSFOLD. Lyrics (downloads PDF) 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.
- MV134 There was a child in Galilee / Dreaming Mary (Janet Gadeski)
This is a thoughtful, imaginative song of Mary, which would be best
sung by a soloist, with the words made available for the congregation to
ponder. Lyrics (scroll down past the videos, but make sure you watch the "Parody of a Modern Worship Service" video on the way down)
- Online Resource / A&M185 / GC(II)362 / G(3)434 / SP069 Dark is the night / Sing Alleluia
(Francis Patrick O'Brien) Excellent and simple Christmas song which reflects the
magnificat and the happiness of Jesus’ parents. I especially like the
last verse “Hope for the poor, release for the captive, Love for the
outcast, light for weary eyes; Word that brings life, embracing
humanity, Jesus, companion be born into our lives”. It would be
particularly good for a Christmas eve service. The chorus would also
work very nicely on its own. Sound sample, sheet music sample, choral version sheet music for purchase.
- W&R172 For Ages Women Hoped and Prayed
(Jane Parker Huber) This is one of those "Coming, but already here songs" of
Advent, and could be sung at other times of year, too. Thought-provoking
words about what it may have been like for Mary to bear Christ. Lyrics. Set to VOX DILECTI, but could be sung to other tunes. It fits New Britain (the tune for Amazing Grace) quite nicely. New words to old tunes.
- GA250 / StF060 My soul rejoices / Canticle of Mary (Owen Alstott) A simple, formal hymnlike Magnificat. Lyrics and pretty slow sound sample.
- Online Resource Mary did you know? (Jennifer Henry) This not the original, which was a bit odd (reader, Mary did
know). It is a new set of lyrics to the original tune by Buddy Greene.
They pick up on how Mary could not have known that her song would
have lasted so long. It's quite wonderful, but would be best sung by a soloist rather than a congregation. Sound sample and lyrics. I especially love this version.
- Online Resource / TiS 172 / NCH119 / UMH198 / VU899 / GtG099 / PfAS1042 / Cha130 My soul gives glory to my God (John Mueller) Simple and beautiful words to a simple and beautiful tune. Inclusive lyrics. Lyrics
(plus lyrics to lots of other magnificats). Scroll down and look for
"ecumenical". I recommend the newer translation by Mary Louise Bringle,
which can be seen, heard, and purchased here.
- Online Resource / GWA094 My soul sings in gratitude (Joy Cowley) No tune! This is a poem, which would be lovely to have read (preferably by a young woman) to your congregation. Poem.
- Online resource Magnificat (Bruce Harding) A fun magnificat, using the Latin phrase “Magnificat
amina mea deum”. I think our musicians would like this one! Sound sample. Free sheet music.
- HiOS101 My heart is leaping (Marion Kitchingman) Good words, and a joyful tune.
- Taizé / Iona (T1AU) / StS012 / GA545 / GC(II)522 / G(3)630 / PfAS1018 / VT097 Magnificat “Magnificat
amina mea dominum” (Jacques Berthier) A catchy and happy Taize round. "Magnify!". There
are also alternative English lyrics (Sing out my soul), which are good if your congregation prefers it. Sheet music, sound samples, and English translation.
- CH141 / A&M548 / SP250 / URW077 / StF114 Oh the life of the world is a joy and a treasure
(Kathy Galloway) This is not a Magnificat, but holds some similar concepts!
Good inclusive words about God's presence in "the life of
the world" (nature, seasons, childbirth, justice). The tune is a simple
Celtic-style melody. Lyrics.
- VU323 Maker of the sun and moon and mother of the earth
(Peter Sharrocks) Wonderful inclusive words, and a beautiful tune, that for
me sounds a lot like "Lord Jesus Christ, Lover of All" so melodically
ties Advent in with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. You may like to
sing it this Sunday and leave the last verse until Christmas day. Highly
recommended. Lyrics.
- Online Resource The lowly will be lifted up (Carolyn
Winfrey-Gillette) The magnificat imagery with a call to continue the
work of Christ with the openness of Mary. Sung to a familiar tune. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource God make us agents of joyful rebellion (David
Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody) Joy as a tool of rebellion, and our role as
modern-day prophets. Set to a new tune, which is lovely to sing. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource A word went out to Mary (Hannah Brown) Beautiful new poetry, with floral imagery, set to the tune ES IST EIN ROS' ENTSPRUNGEN. Sheet music sample and lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- ACS907 Filled with hope and gratitude
(Paul Damico-Carper) Good new words, sung to a simple tune (that sounds
a bit like Loch Lomond). I like that the first and last verse
specifically reference breastfeeding. Lyrics. Sound sample (with a bit of dancing).
- Online Resource / GW095 Holy holy holy O Wisdom from on high / Blessed and Holy
(Bernadette Farrell) This is a setting of some of the O Antiphons which are sung with the Magnificat in the last week prior to Christmas in some traditions. They speak of our hope in Jesus to transform the world. This setting is easy to sing and has great words. Sound and sheet music samples and purchasing options.
- GC(II)782 / Lau338 My soul proclaims your greatness O God (from Holden Evening Prayer) (Marty Haugen) Nice, simple to sing. Sheet music sample (you'll need to scroll through). Lyrics (where it says "Magnificat".
Psalm 113
You could also use an Alleluia as a Psalm refrain.
- TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / StJ / GA379 / URW073 Praise with joy the world's Creator (John Bell and Graham Maule, Scotland) It's not a direct fit, but I think it would work well, and it's great. Lyrics.
- CH169 / VU245 / SFFS 2020 / HPP26 / CP309 Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet (Natalie Sleeth, USA) Fun. Good for kids. Good if you have extra instruments at your worship service. Lyric video.
- SiS??? From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same (Unknown) An old chorus that will be familiar and fun for older congregations; it
is not at all inclusive. This is particularly excellent in churches that
face North or South, because then you can get the whole congregation
doing jazz hands above their heads going East to West. Surely my
childhood church (One Tree Hill Uniting) was not the only church to do
this in the '70s? Rock on to this version on Youtube. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- PfAS113A / MP163 From the rising of the sun to its going down (Kathy Wonson Eddy, USA) This is a lovely response for leader, congregation and choir with cantored verses.
- TiS
72 / AHB 42 / NCH27 / CH146 / UMH101 / LBW550 / A&M637 / HPP36 /
GtG327 / PH229 / CP344 / CP(E) 431 / Cha49 / PfAS117C / 82Hml-380 / StF075 / LUYH570 From all that dwell below the skies
(Isaac Watts, England) A very old hymn, known by many, which is entirely inclusive in
its language for God, save for one Lord which you can replace with God
if you like 'cos it's Public Domain! Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics and tune samples.
- Online Resource From the rising of the sun (Bruce Harding, Canada) A simple contemporary Psalm refrain. Sheet music.
- ATAR676 Lord, be the rising (Sandra Sears, Australia) This is quite lovely. The tune is simple and the words seek God in all goodness.
Romans 12:9-16b
A bunch of wise instructions for living a peaceful life
- TiS
607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / A&M725 / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 /
GtG753 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / G(3)828 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 / Lau898 / StF707 / MP456 Make me a channel of your peace (Sebastian Temple) Lovely. Nice if you can just start a capella... Sinéad O'Connor singing it and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / NCH287 / FFS11 Come teach us Spirit of our God (Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Excellent words and a good tune. Lyrics and sheet music.
- 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. Lyrics. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- ATW
463 / Iona (T1AU) / ELW721 / SFFS 2219 / A&M835 / GtG750
/ GC(II)451 / G(3)528 / W&R296 / URW436 Goodness is stronger than evil (Desmond Tutu, South Africa) "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. Lyrics. Good for kids.
- TiS 648 / NCH388 / UMH560 / HPP289 / GtG754 / PH358 / W&R596 / Cha487 Help us accept each other
(Fred Kaan, USA) Very nice simple words about acceptance and love for all
people. The tune varies in each hymn book. I like the lilting tune
RUNNYMEDE in TiS, but if a more standard hymn is needed for your
congregation, it can also be sung to AURELIA (The church's one foundation). Lyrics and sheet music.
- TiS 672 / GA554 Lord of earth and all creation
(Michael and Honor Mary Thwaites, Australia) A call for renewal of creation and all God's created people
in Australia; it verges on being a bit nationalistic, so please check the lyrics. Two possible tunes. I prefer to sing it to
WESTMINSTER ABBEY which is very well known. Lyrics. New words to old tunes
- TiS 599 / AHB 520 / NCH448 /
CH502 / UMH399 / VU506 / LBW406 / ELW685 / A&M787 / HPP349 / GtG697 / PH391
/ CP435 / CP(E) 581 / W&R466 / Cha609 / Srce633 / 82Hml-707 / Lau874 / StF566 / MP624 Take my life and let it be (Frances Havergal) An oldy but a goody. Lyrics and story.
Oldy-but-a-goody.
