You may also find the songs listed for Funerals helpful.
- 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. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. Sound sample.
- Online resource In times like these (Paul Janssen) Written for a tidal wave / tsunami, these words to the tune Was Mein Gott Will might also be useful in the case of earthquake. It also works to ST COLUMBA (TiS 523) Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / ATAR606 / StS121 / FFS50 Nothing is lost on the breath of God (Colin Gibson) A beautiful song and very easy to sing even if new. "Nothing is lost on the breath of God, nothing is lost for ever; God's breath is love, and that love will remain, holding the world for ever. No feather too light, no hair too fine, no flower too brief in its glory; no drop in the ocean, no dust in the air, but is counted and told in God's story." Words and full sheet music. Sound sample.
- Online resource God we've known such grief and anger (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette) This hymn was written after the World Trade Center disaster and is still appropriate for today. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
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TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 /HPPS380 O Christ the healer we have come (Fred Pratt Green) A song of prayer for healing for others. I prefer the tune in TiS (INVERCARRY). "From every ailment flesh endures our bodies clamor to be freed; yet in our hearts we would confess that wholeness is our deepest need." Lyrics and sheet music.
- 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 is available here (loads a pdf).
- ATAR656 Heavy our hearts (Trish Watts / Gabrielle Lord) A lovely soothing chant naming our heaviness and seeking God's shelter and healing.
- Online resource: O God our words cannot express (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette). Words to the tune "Our God our help in ages past" (ST ANNE). Words here.
- AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ Don't be afraid (John Bell) I love this song of reassurance. "Don't be afraid, my love is stronger. My love is stronger than your fear".
- URW311 I love you Lord you hear my cry (Isaac Watts) A simple song wth two verses, or you could use it as a Psalm refrain with the text read by a leader. It would be pretty amazing if you can sing it in 4 parts, I reckon. The 2nd verse could be quite appropriate as a lament on its own during intercessions.
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Iona (Love From Below) / CH734 / CP296 O Christ you wept when grief was raw (Iona Community) This is a funeral song, that may be appropriate for those in communities more directly affected by the fires. A better tune for a congregation is ROCKINGHAM. Words can be changed quite simply if you, sadly, need to remember more than one person who has died. Lyrics.
- Online resource The voice of our grief (Bruce Harding). A quite groovy chant "God of sorrow, God of justice, God of healing hear the voice of our grief". Sheet music and sound sample. There is also a sample PDF and mp3 file with a really strange synthesizer part.
- FFS05 Be their names remembered (Shirley Murray / Jillian Bray) Simple chant, good for singing in response to a list of names of those who have died in this event or any other. "Be their names remembered in the heart of God.
- Online Resource / VU182 Stay with us through the night (Walter H Farquharson) Simple and gentle sorrowful, but hopeful song. Lyrics and sheet music.
- CH464 / A&M521 / SP139 Though hope desert my heart (John Bell) Excellent words of grief / trial, with the knowledge that Christ has been there first.
- Online resource / TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people (Robin Mann) In 2020, Robin wrote two verses for this song that is very well known (and beloved) in Australia, specifically with reference to bushfires. Here's the lyrics.
- Online resource O God of mighty wind and flame (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette) This hymn was written at the time of the 2007 fires in California, and is just as appropriate for Australian fires. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online resource Abide with me, there seems no place to hide (Peter Oliver) Please see in the comments section below some lyrics written by Peter. Thank you, Peter for contributing this.
- MV 74 When painful mem'ries haunt each day / When painful memories haunt each day (Ruth Duck). I suggest singing it to the more familiar Celtic tune KINGSFOLD (TiS 262). "When painful mem'ries haunt each day and dreams disturb the night, when life is washed with shades of grey and phantoms fill our sight, Christ stay beside us and embrace the child who dwells within; come, Healer, touch or lives with grace; restore our lives again."
- Iona (Enemy of Apathy) Sing my soul when hope is sleeping (Iona community) "Sing, my soul, when hope is sleeping. Sing when faith gives way to fears; Sing to melt the ice of sadness Making way for joy through tears." Simple to sing.
- SFFS 2216 When We Are Called to Sing Your Praise (Mary NelsonKeithahn) A good hymn for times of trouble, sung to a very standard hymn tune, KINGSFOLD. Maybe a little bit preachy?
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Iona (Last Journey, When Grief is Raw) / CH746 There is a place prepared for little children (John Bell / Dunblane Primary) This song particularly grieves for children who have died. "There is a place where God will hear our questions, Suffer our anger, share our speechless grief. Gently repair the innocence of loving And of belief." Lyrics.
- MV111 / Online resource A voice was heard in Ramah (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) Lament, death of children; peace; war; Good words to a very straightforward hymn tune (LLANGLOFFAN). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
3 comments:
Abide with me; there seems no place to hide;
Nature’s furnace threatens; Lord with me abide.
When through this hell we lose security,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift was the change that scorched this summer’s day;
Red sun grows dim; we start to lose our way;
When will the path come clear enough to see?
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Though many questions haunt me through this loss
With them your heart burned suff’ring on the cross.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I want to know if you’ll abide with me.
We need Thy presence all these passing hours.
Sometimes we need faith that is just not ours.
Held by the prayers which cannot come to mind
Sharing together help us peace to find.
Christ in the midst before our tearful eyes;
Gather us all and help us realise
Hope through compassion and humanity.
Lord you abide with even two or three.
Peter Oliver Rev. Dr February 2009
Sdaly another beginning of the year lament. I pray my words combined with this wonderful may help some. Rev. Dr Peter Oliver uniting Church Chaplain
O Lord my God,
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all
The frailty of this earth
We see the stars,
We hear the mighty thunder,
We feel such fear
When nature’s done its worst.
When through our towns
And flooded plains we wander
Some have survived on rooves or in the trees;
When we look down
On what was once such grandeur
And hear the news
Of loved ones’ hopes and pleas;
Then cries my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
“Will this grief pass?
Will this grief pass?”
Then cries my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
“Will this grief pass?
Will this grief pass?”
Pray Christ shall come,
To hearts in devastation.
Help them find homes,
Help mend their broken heart!
Help us to flow Jesus' compassion to this nation.
Help us proclaim
“We pray this grief will pass.”
Then cries our soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
“Help this grief pass.
Help this grief pass.”
Then cries our soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
“Help this grief pass.
Help this grief pass.”
When time has passed, floods of despair are over
and there's a sense this suffering won't be long.
When hope's restored,
When sadness heals with mem’ries
In hea’en, on earth, we will proclaim this song
“Then sings my soul my Saviour God, to Thee
‘How great thou art!
How great thou art!’ ”
Thanks for posting this Peter. I was just wondering if anyone had written something for the floods.
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