A song
4 today

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For Today...

'Amazing Grace'

There are many versions of this great John Newton hymn. I tend towards the view that if you make it too complicated for the bagpipes, you may be doing it wrong!

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06wcjxq - a Songs of Praise recording, mixing the styles, and with the now customary added verse. From iPlayer.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb4oMRbJg0g - We have repurposed secular tunes for sacred songs since forever. In a good case, you get a song that's more accessible and has a great tune. In a bad case, people can't get the secular song out of their heads, and you stray towards I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue's "One song to the tune of another". This one adds to Newton's original and set it to "Auld Lang Syne". Perhaps surprisingly, it works pretty well. I rather like it...

(02/10/2026)

Recent links

'He was pierced for our transgressions'

A Maggi Dawn song - goes back to the 1980s, but it has an enduring quality. Can be used liturgically, or in worship, lends itself to harmonising...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujOsj-J04i8 - a recording from a Baptist church in Kenya - beautifully done.

(01/10/2026)

'You laid aside Your Majesty'

A song which we, like many, first learned from Mission Praise 2... or if not that, then from Songs of Fellowship 1. The chorus melody contained what appears to be a curious misprint, which many church musicians (in churches I visited, anyway) faithfully taught their congregations and which they sang for years afterwards!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFICAbIxv_M - gets the tone about right - a version noticeable for the backing vocals.

(30/09/2026)

'Father in Heaven how we Love You'

Not the easiest rhythm for a congregation to get hold of, but a good worship song, whether it gets smoothed out or not!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pWINTctJVc - nice rendering, with the obligatory chorus repeat modulation... plus a nice little twist at the end.

(29/09/2026)

'Speak, O Lord, as we come to You'

Townend-Getty opener / pre-Word song.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubRlJj8xkds - The Gettys' official slow-paced take.

(28/09/2026)

'Let all the world in every corner sing'

George Herbert and Basil Harwood - a great poet paired with a fine musician - gives you a great hymn. A particularly good choice if you want a short opener.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfXldoDnvq4 - a Songs of Praise recording.

(27/09/2026)

'There is a Redeemer'

Works well after communion - and at other times. A song we know very well: I like to pull it around, and the congregation is ready for it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUqfdaCLm0Y - a very steady Robin Mark take on the famous Melody Green song.

(26/09/2026)

'Your word is a lamp unto my feet'

Beautiful and moving song by Amy Grant. Needs to be piano based. I rather like an old-fashioned electric piano kind of sound for this. Also, the middle section is a gift if you're playing bass.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=npWJZwgmKMo - this version by the Maranatha Singers.

(25/09/2026)

'Open the eyes of my heart, Lord'

Great worship song by Paul Baloche, and fun to play too - plenty of ways to do it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwqpKD-qBt4 - Live recording from Maranatha Music.

(24/09/2026)

'All my Days'

Makes a great opener, and the chorus lends itself to improvisation.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEiZ2RlPQeo - a live recording from Stoneleigh.

(23/09/2026)

'Even though I walk through the valley (Never Let Go)'

A good song, though the vocal range is too wide for good congregational singing, so the verses need to be well-enunciated by a lead singer, with the focus on bringing the congregation along with the rest of it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFIDj5QF1vI - a Matt Redman recording.

(22/09/2026)

'Strength will rise'

Upbeat song, with a strong rhythm and variety of melody.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=egPS5aZZHrg - album recording.

(21/09/2026)

'Lead us, Heavenly Father, Lead us'

A good Trinitarian hymn, which is also co-opted for occasions when state and church mix.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGsvbqErM2A - a Songs of Praise recording, from a parade service.

(20/09/2026)

'Love is the touch of intangible joy'

A useful lyric: we sing it to Slane, which works well although it does squeeze out an opportunity for another.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlBAX0cCKeI - a Naxos recording (Lori True)

(19/09/2026)

'Give thanks with a grateful heart'

Useful golden oldie - though I've always played my own version of it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=047xtru0ZR0 - playing it straight

(18/09/2026)

'On the Cross'

Standard communion repertoire - one of Geoff Baker's more well-known songs. It's very hard to find recordings of Geoff Baker songs on Youtube, or I'd feature more.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdHGc4ncZAg - we have several songs from this album in repertoire.

(17/09/2026)

'This is the body of Christ'

A short song for use during communion.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTrdJTGgN40 - lovely arrangement with choir and a little instrumental decoration.

(16/09/2026)

'Mayenziwe'

Your will be done on earth, O Lord.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ6Gkdb4_Bk - a very choral performance.

(15/09/2026)

'Christ's is the World'

A song of challenge and hope.