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For Today...
'Night has fallen'
An old evening favourite: not much use at other times, alas.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qduinik0WM - the video includes a preamble in which the congregation are taught to sing it.(19/03/2024)
Recent links
'Church of God, elect and glorious'
A traditional-style hymn, which we sing to the tune Lux Eoi, by the masterful Arthur Sullivan.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVSVfRAVjU0 - a lockdown recording, nicely done.(18/03/2024)
'God of Grace, Amazing Wonder'
This rendering is a bit slow for my taste (and has been extended a bit), but it's a superb hymn.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6crNdna2_4E - by Keith Getty and Jonathan Rea.(17/03/2024)
'Longing for Light, we wait in darkness (Christ be our Light)'
A fine hymn from the excellent Bernadette Farrell. Makes a good opener.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJq3bhdgQoc - beautifully done, but a tiny bit slow, I'd say.(16/03/2024)
'From the squalor of a borrowed stable'
One of Stuart Townend's para-Celtic songs (needs a flute or two), which has been part of our Advent repertoire ever since it first appeared. And it's good to use at other times too. Repeating and stretching the last 4 lines works well for us.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YksTeR61O1I - live worship recording led by Mr Townend himself.(15/03/2024)
'All the way my Saviour leads me'
Quality US Victoriana. There's a fair bit packed into the words, and Robert Lowry is perhaps the finest exponent of this musical genre.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnEZyfzkJgs - Grace Community Church, California.www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekUELQCnQlM - short version, sung by the Mennonite Hour Singers.
(14/03/2024)
'Blessed be the Name of the Lord'
A lively golden oldie, by Clinton Utterbach.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXNDPpk82Tk(13/03/2024)
'There's a place where the streets shine'
Upbeat Paul Oakely song, rocks along very nicely: a good ending song for any service looking forward to heaven. If you're leading this on your own, grab your electric guitar!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k_meEp3cjk - album recording.(12/03/2024)
'All Heaven Declares'
One of those songs where the improvisation opportunities (singing / playing 'in the holes') seem endless... a hallmark of musical quality.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-s9Kk6tfVU - a Robin Mark interpretation - relatively understated - so you can fill it in as you sing along.(11/03/2024)
'How deep the Father's love for us'
A top-drawer Stuart Townend song. If you're leading it on your own, an open-string guitar version can be very effective.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLDGVl8D5UU - under-stated piano-led version, nicely done.(10/03/2024)
'Jesus, All for Jesus'
Beautiful folk ('Celtic') style worship song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Wa2msOq9c - a Robin Mark interpretation.(09/03/2024)
'Have you heard God's voice'
Jacqueline Jones's powerful and challenging song deserves to be more widely known.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwZAxlHf91o - nice arrangement, presumably tailored for this choir.travelswithwesley.blogspot.com/2017/07 (...) - a copy of the words.
(08/03/2024)
'My life flows on in endless song'
There are many variations on this old hymn:- we use the version published in "I will not Sing Alone", from Wild Goose. Robert Lowry was in a different league to most of the late 19th century evangelical hymn writers and composers, and this song illustrates the point.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BifkC92nT8 - a quite different version to the one we use - by a church choir from Oakland CA, nicely done.(07/03/2024)
'The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want'
Sung to Crimond. (Though the tune is much newer than the words: look in an older hymn book and you will probably find Wiltshire or St Fulbert set.) Some people love it, some people hate it. I suspect it has to do with the associations: I've not played it for some years, except at funerals.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=syJFsLZmO8o - from the choir of York Minster.(06/03/2024)
'Yet will I praise Him'
A useful song, which can be sung by a congregation (in full, or chorus only).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=An6OtWrHETA - Geraldine Latty singing a lovely arrangement of her own song.(05/03/2024)
'Benediction'
Extended beyond the actual blessing, giving it an 'end of service' context.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6cf0V62PSU - Aaronic Blessing from Matt Redman. (This is the recording I learnt it from.)(04/03/2024)
'Let us build a house where love can dwell'
Brilliant, moving, anthemic masterpiece by Marty Haughen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbyZQnPw-wk - with all the verses, including the 'communion' one.(03/03/2024)
'The God of Abraham praise'
A good solid old hymn, with a great tune, which we haven't used in a while.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZZAp7FzwXg - a 4 verse version, with a florid introduction.(02/03/2024)
'One more step along the world I go'
A children's song from the incomparable wordsmith that was Sydney Carter.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jhAzbdKq6U - provided by Chet Valley Churches.(01/03/2024)
'Lord Jesus Christ, Lover of All'
Two different interpretations of this John Bell / Wild Goose song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpTacRtQKQ8 - a capella.www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2fNp9SaiGw - with guitar.
(29/02/2024)
'We bow down and confess'
Different to our arrangement, but the harmony is very similar...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tblhqgHfVrI - opening verse is beautifully done.(28/02/2024)
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