Songs, Hymns and Music for Epiphany (January 6 2024)

You can still sing Christmas carols! 

• Online Resource Praise God all you Christians! (Nelson Varcoe) This song will need to be taught because all the verses are in Kaurna (the language of the region now known as the Adelaide Plains in South Australia). A good song for South Australians to learn for Christmas and Epiphany - the 3rd and 4th verses are especially appropriate for Epiphany. Book available here.
• Online Resource Song of the Magi (Anais Mitchell) This powerful song reflects on modern day Bethlehem and the struggles there, and may be appropriate to play to your congregation. Lyrics. Original Song. Powerful video cover version recorded in Bethlehem at the Israeli West Bank barrier. 
• ACS914 / NCH160 / GtG127 Hark the herald angels sing / Jesus the light of the world (Charles Wesley / George Elderkin) This is a fun variation on Hark the Herald Angels sing, with a Gospel Chorus of Jesus the Light of the World. Great for Epiphany. Sample sheet music.
• Online Resource / ACS915 / VU97 / GC(II)376 / G(3)450 When a star is shining / Where the Promise Shines (Sylvia Dunstan) This new carol would also be good for Epiphany. Sheet music sample including string quartet if desired, sound sample, and purchasing options.

Isaiah 60:1-6

• Online Resource O Children of the Light / Ay Farzandane Nur (Anonymous Farsi) This is simple enough if you just limit yourself to one verse and chorus in both languages. Sheet music, Farsi, transliteration and English translation (the English translation is not for singing). Sound sample on youtube (which includes a singable English translation). Don't do it too fast! Here's a great video teaching the pronunciation.
  
• Online Resource Lift your head / Your light has come (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A really lovely refrain that could be used at various points throughout the service. Sound sample, lyrics & sheet music. Here's some verses from John Grummit (thanks John!). Lyric video.
  
• NCH164 / VU79 / StS030 / WoV652 / LBW652 / ELW314 / PH411 / GtG744 / W&R231 / URW138 Arise your light is come! (Ruth Duck) Good general words of Christ coming to bring justice to the familiar tune ST. THOMAS (TiS 271). Sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / A&M483 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / GtG853 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 / StF483 / MP954 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando (South African) A very popular chorus, with possible alternate verses, depending on your source. Sometimes people get anxious about the word "marching", but remember that this song comes from apartheid-era South Africa, where people were protesting so that they could vote in their own country. And the marching is toi-toing, much less militaristic than what you may imagine. A pretty impressive concert performance. Good for kids.
• SP&P070 Although it looks as if the sky is falling / Isaiah's Dream (Bill Green) Joyful words; the tune will need to be taught. Sound sample with a great video for guitarists to see the chords.
  
• Music by Heart 61 Arise shine for your light has come (Ruth Cunningham) A simple two-part chant, which can easily be taught before, or during, the service. Sheet music. Good for kids.
• UMH725 / SP25 Arise shine out your light has come (Brian Wren) Excellent hopeful words sung to the hymn tune DUNEDIN; it also works quite nicely to CHURCH TRIUMPHANT. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online resource Arise, Shine! (Bruce Harding) A simple repeated chorus. It would work well at the end of the service. Free sheet music and Sound sample. 
• 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.  Lyrics and sound sample.
• NCH112 Keep awake be always ready (Arthur Clyde) New words to the tune for "Wake awake for night is flying". I particularly like the second verse of this one. WACHET AUF. Lyrics (in a PDF). New words to old tunes.
• ATOK 389 Light of the nations (Robin Mann) A simple yet powerful song. Lyrics.
• URW432 Radiant light divine (Rufino Zaragoza) This is pretty lovely. A nice chant based on the Phos Hilaron. Sound sample.
  
• ATA 128 / NCH584 / VU087 / Cha469 I Am the Light of the World you people come and follow me (Jim Strathdee) Good song for the Christmas season (not immediately after Christmas day. Reflects on Jesus as the coming of the light, which we should follow. Lyrics.
  

Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Praise for a just and righteous king Solomon

• 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 sample (refrain only).
  
• 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). New words to old tunes. 
• WCC website: Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos (Eleazar Torreglosa) 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 / Come 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. Sound sample (at the end of a Pentecost service).
  
• Online Resource / AoV2-137 / Iona (SBL) / CH262 For the world and all its people (Iona Community) This is a beautiful, haunting song set to the tune of Somos pueblo que camino (Welcome, pilgrims on the journey). It will need to be taught t, but once your congregation gets it, I'm sure they'll love it. Particularly good to use during intercessions. Lyrics. Sound sample and purchasing options. More traditional tune sound sample (different words).
• 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.
• Online Resource Lord every nation on earth will adore you (Val Parker) Big gospel style refrain, which could be a bit challenging, depending on your congregation. Could be used on its own with spoken verses, or cantored (if you have a gospel singer!). Sound and sheet music samples, and purchasing options. 
  

Ephesians 3:1-12
Paul's call & mission; inclusion into the body of Christ.

• Iona (M&G, T1AU) / MV099 / GC(II)673 / G(3)763 / Lau996 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple and powerful song. Very easy for your congregation. You can make up cantor parts too “Oh my sisters…. Oh my brothers… Oh my children….” or you can name countries you are praying for in your intercessions. Good for kids. Scottish sound sample. Lead sheet.
• TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / GtG293 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 / StB220 / VF051 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 and sheet music sample.
  
• TiS 428 / AHB 340 Help us O Lord to learn (William Reid) Great challenging (but quite formal) words about being committed to learning the faith. Good for a New Year message. Boring tune though. I would sing it to ST THOMAS (TiS 271 / AHB 198) Lyrics (with thees and thys, which are not in TiS). New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / Walk as One God the great mystery (Sharonne Price) An excellent hymn of God's abundance, mystery, and creative power. Set to the tune BONNIE GEORGE CAMPBELL. Book (PDF) for purchase. Sound samples and backing tracks. New words to old tunes

Matthew 2:1-12

Here come the Magi...

• Online Resource As the magi scanned the heavens (David Bjorlin) Great lyrics asking us to choose the way of the Magi. Sung to a familiar Polish folk tune. At least, it's familiar to me, but maybe not really to congregations, but it is easy to sing and very beautiful. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. Youtube video.  
• Online Resource Set the sun dancing (Shirley Murray) Joyful song of celebration, with an uplifting key change for the chorus. Lyrics and sheet music
• Online Resource We had seen the star (Leigh Newton) A beautiful song, better for a soloist than a congregation. Sheet music and sound samples.
• CoC49 Who are these who ride by starlight? (Marnie Barrell) Powerful words! The tune is simple enough too. Lyrics.
  
• Online Resource Take us home by another way (Christopher Grundy) An excellent and simple song encouraging a thoughtful response to tyrants. A great song for response after the sermon.  Sound sample. Lyrics and lead sheet and purchasing options.
  
• CoC51 / Online Resource Wise men came journeying (Shirley Murray) Good, imaginative words, including reference to New Year, sung either to a new tune or to BONNIE GEORGE CAMPBELL if you need something familiar. New words to old tunes. Lyrics and sheet music.
• AoVK-60 / AA04 / CoC05 And did you see him little star? (Helen Clyde) I quite like this song. It's very imaginative and good for kids. Lyrics (scroll down).
• URW416 Listen to the song of the wind (Thomas Turner) This is quite lovely, and you could choose whichever verses are most appropriate for any service; this week, you might like to sing "Listen to the dreams in the night". Lyrics. Good for kids.
• NCH370 / W&R685 / URW127 What gift can we bring? (Jane Marshall) A good offering song. Also good for a church anniversary. Lyrics. This song has great words for the offering, and seems appropriate to both Epiphany and New Year. The tune is a bit tricky.
• VU94 / Cha175 / STB132 Lovely star in the sky (Korean text) Good words. Lovely simple Korean tune. The peoples of the two Koreas could do with some songs from us. Sound sample.
  
• AA014 / CoC09 / STB144 / StF194 Child of joy and peace (Shirley Murray) Excellent words for Christmas and Epiphany; recognises the poverty of Christ and constrasts it with the greed of Christmas - without being too heavy handed. I like Ian Render tune (JENNIFER'S GIFT) best, even though it's a little tricky. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
• Online Resource / NCH155 The magi who to Bethlehem did go / Los magos que llegaron a Belén (Manuel Fernandez Juncas) Traditional Puerto Rican carol. This is so much fun to sing. A great alternative for Epiphany. Sound sample (in Spanish) and purchasing options.
  
• VU092 In the darkness shines the splendour (Bernadette Gasslein) Good new words sung to the tune IRBY (Once in Royal David's City). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource From the void sprang all creation (David Bjorlin) Words linking the birth of the cosmos to the birth of Christ and all human birth. Set to the familiar tune AR HYD Y NOS. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes. 
• Online Resource What can we bring? (Pat Mayberry / David Kai) A simple song offering justice, compassion, respect and recognition of the holiness of all things. This is really lovely.  Free Sheet music.
  
• TiS 314 / AHB 239 / NCH159 / CH326 / VU81 / A7M094 / LBW082 / ELW302 / HPP144 / PH063 / GtG150 / GC374 / GC(II)384 / CP160 / CP(E) 83 / W&R236 / Cha173 / Srce2-39 / 82Hml-119 / Lau166 / StF224 / MP039 As with gladness men of old / those of old / sages bold (William Dix) A well known traditional Epiphany carol. Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics and tune. 
• Online Resource Ancient peoples searched the sky (Adam Tice / Shirley Ann Morris) Gosh, this is lovely. Beautiful tune and words the bring the Magi clearly into focus, as well as our continuing search for light. Sound and sheet music sample, purchasing options. There is also a choral version available here. 
• GC(II)386 / G(3)462 Every nation sees the glory (Francis Patrick O'Brien) BEACH SPRING (TiS 493) Beautiful words and very familiar tune. “Every nation sees the glory of a star that pierced the night. As we tell the wondrous story we are bathed in radiant light. Star sent forth from highest heaven, dancing light of God’s design, Shine upon the gift that’s given; Word made flesh now born in time.” Highly recommended! Lyrics and sound sample. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / HiOS105 Now the star of Christmas (Shirley Murray) A multifaith epiphany song: "Where the three kings travel, three great faiths arise: Jesus Christ for Christians, Jesus, Judah's son, Prophet for the Muslim, wisdom in each one". Some congregations will find this a bit too much, but others will find much to celebrate in this song. Can also be sung to NOEL NOUVELET if you don't want to try a new tune (the new tune is not hard). Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 281 / AHB 214 When God Almighty came to be one of us (Michael Hewlett) This is a great Christmas and Epiphany song. It’s also set to a very easy (and fun) tune to sing (URQUHART). I especially love verse 3 "Wise men, they called them, earnest astrologers, watching for meaning in the moving stars, science or fancy, learned or laughable, theirs was a vision that was brought to pass. Sing all you wise men, dance all the scientists whether your theories are false or true. God uses knowledge, God uses ignorance. God at his coming had a need of you". Lyrics. Good for kids? I liked it when I was a kid.
• UMH243 / VU089 / PH064 / W&R238 From a Distant Home / De Tierra Lejana Venimos (Puerto Rican) Nice tune and pretty standard words. Would be a good change for Epiphany. Sound sample.
• SFFS 2094 I sought him dressed in finest clothes (John Bell) Excellent words that speak of the search for a king in high places, and finding him among the poor. Sung to a Celtic folkish tune. Lyrics.
• TiS 255 / CH135 / VU434 / CP018 O laughing Light O first-born of creation (Sylvia Dunstan) A slightly more modern version of the Phos Hilaron. Words are good but the tune in TiS (ADRIAN) is a little tricky.  Sound samples with a range of possible tunes.
• LBW648 / ELW312 / CP437 / W&R669 / SP28 / URW085 Jesus come for we invite you (Christopher Idle) Excellent words to a well known hymn tune. This picks up themes of the Wedding at Cana, the transformative power of Christ to energise our faith. "Jesus,come! surprise our dullness; Make us willing to receive More than we can yet imagine, All the best you have to give: Let us find your hidden riches, Taste your love,believe,and live!". It's set to the tune UNION SEMINARY, which is not in that many hymnals. You could also sing it to WESTMINSTER ABBEY (TiS 432). New words to old tunes. Lyric and sheet music
• TiS 307 / AHB 232 / CH300 / VU73 / SFFS 2098 / G(II)264 / GC345 / GC(II)378 / G(3)454 / CP128 The Virgin Mary had a baby boy (Trinidad traditional, collected by Edric Connor) This fun carol from Trinidad includes those wise men. Sound sample (earliest recording!). Lyrics. Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Previously Online Resource Last night among the stars (Helen Wiltshire) Imaginative words, to a standard hymn tune about the sorry of the word, and the hope of the Christ Child. "We join the sages from afar and bring the gift of who we are". This book is no longer available online - if you have a copy, now's the time to dig it out.
  
• Recorded Music Heavenly Child (Peter Mayer) This is a great song from the viewpoint of one of the wise men. A great song for those who have travelled far in their spiritual journey but hold on to the image of the heavenly child. Lyrics and sound sample
• TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / A&M483 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / GtG853 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 / StF483 / MP954 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando (South African) A very popular chorus, with possible alternate verses, depending on your source. Sometimes people get anxious about the word "marching", but remember that this song comes from apartheid-era South Africa, where people were protesting so that they could vote in their own country. And the marching is toi-toing, much less militaristic than what you may imagine. Sound sample. Good for kids.
• BUC Song Project Jesus Was a Carpenter (Chris Lees) A slightly daggy but cool song for kids. Brunswick UCA only, as it's not published yet. Good for kids.
• URW432 Radiant light divine (Rufino Zaragoza) This is pretty lovely. A nice chant based on the Phos Hilaron. Sound sample.
• VU093 When heaven's bright with mystery (Rob Johns) Good new words to the tune SUSSEX CAROL. Lyrics (PDF). New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource God help the weary travellers (Daniel Damon) Timely lyrics with reference to travellers who may be refugees, and/or women fleeing from domestic violence and a lovely simple tune and our call to travel with love. Lyrics and sheet music.
• UMH254 / WoV646 / GA299 / HPP148 / A&M574 / PH066 / GtG151 / GC373 / GC(II)382 / CP(E) 91 / W&R233 / Cha172 / 82Hml-128 / Lau170 We Three Kings of Orient Are (John Hopkins) I used to think this carol was silly until I read the lyrics properly. Lyrics and story. Good for kids, just for the O-o-o, bit. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• VU096 Will you come and see the light? (Brian Wren) Excellent Christmas / Epiphany words to the tune KELVINGROVE (The Summons) "Will you hide, or decide to meet the light?". Lyrics and sheet music sample.
  
• Online Resource A Star Shone Bright (Richard Garland) Sung to the familiar tune O WALY WALY, this new set of words sing of the star of long ago, still leading us today. New words to old tunes. Free sheet music. 
• Online Resource Wise Men Seeking Jesus (James East) Simple, welcoming words about seeing Jesus in our everyday world. It's a little old-fashioned, and it may help to share the story of the origin of the hymn. Thanks to David Higham for sharing this hymn. Lyrics and sheet music. Story of the hymn. 
• GtG152 / PH068 / GC378 / GC(II)389 / G(3)461 What Star Is This? (Charles Coffin) Slothful hearts could do with singing this sometimes. A standard hymn sung to PUER NOBIS NASCITUR. Lyrics. Different words to old tunes..
• AoV1-165 NCH148 / UMH219 / VU074 / LBW040 / ELW296 / HPP138 / PH053 / GtG145 / GC380 / GC(II)387 / G(3)466 / CP137 / CP(E) 74 / W&R184 / Cha162 / 82Hml-115 / Lau145 What child is this? (William Dix) "Come bring him incense, gold & myrrh"...  Lyrics.  Oldy-but-a-goody.
• ATAR632 Share your gift (Busch) A good song for the offering, particularly on Sundays when the theme of being part of the body of Christ, or sharing gifts or talents is being explored. Words are simple enough to make sense to kids. Good for kids.

What will you be singing? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in a comment below.