For the background to this site, please see About.
For Today...
'Holy Spirit, from before the dawn of time'
It rambles a bit (musically):- possibly one where it's better to be in the band than the congregation. But I like it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzPKOK0_Rh4 - it's by Michael Sandeman and Nathan Fellingham, and this is Phatfish doing their thing.(26/05/2026)
Recent links
'Like a gentle breeze'
This Maggi Dawn song is a Whitsuntide essential, in my reckoning.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFd00w7YdXU - the only recording I've found- 2 voices and acoustic guitar. This song seriously needs an electric guitar and a Hammond... and a beat.(25/05/2026)
'Holy Spirit, we welcome You'
A Chris Bowater song. From 1991, when the rhythm seemed to be a little tricky for the average congregation.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUIXBmT-JNk - album recording by Mr Bowater himself.(24/05/2026)
'Breathe on me Breath of God'
A fine Victorian hymn, inexplicably set to Trentham in many books. My preference is Carlisle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TssHTATafi0 - a Songs of Praise recording of this hymn, sung to Carlisle.(23/05/2026)
'Jesus shall take the highest honour'
Top-drawer song from Chris Bowater. A gift to church musicians and congregations alike.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GaiRYYOB0Y - done well, but the recording isn't perfect.www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGYVN5RyL1c - an alternative rendering with no recording glitches.
(22/05/2026)
'Everyone needs compassion / Mighty to save'
Great fun for the band, and the congregation can certainly get stuck into the chorus.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt4_fxU94xA - a Hillsongs recording - lockdown style, from home.(21/05/2026)
'Holy Holy / Lift up His name'
One we haven't used for a while, but which I still think of as 'in repertoire'. The second half can usefully take a fair bit of Hammond!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBnNHiyEo5Q - a Phatfish live recording.(20/05/2026)
'The Awesome God you Are'
A lively one from Matt Redman - makes a good opener. If I'm leading on my own, I prefer guitar to keyboard. (I also go a wee bit quicker than Mr Redman.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGUP4fD0ZaE - sung by Matt Redman.(19/05/2026)
'O let the Son of God enfold You'
John Wimber's classic song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cfbJVYMMi0 - a slightly twitchy rendering, straightforward but nicely done.(18/05/2026)
'King of Kings, Majesty'
A powerful worship song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnuRIdNwiwg - - bends it in different ways to us - nice to have a change.(17/05/2026)
'Faithful God'
One of several songs in our repertoire which can be described as 'a versatile, well written short worship song by Chris Bowater'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=85-YVcJwe8w - Mr Bowater at the piano, with a very laid-back version.(16/05/2026)
'Lift up Your Heads'
Different harmonies to our version, but pretty good.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma2HKbJTfkY(15/05/2026)
'There is a Higher Throne'
Powerful hymn of hope - a modern classic from the Gettys.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhFhVb7wLsU - sung by a church choir from Jakatra, Indonesia, with a bit of harmony and a few twists.www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAGX9iWQ8kI - the official Getty recording.
(14/05/2026)
'You are the Mighty King'
A song that often gets revived at Advent, but can also find use at other times.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWoSSB-FvDA - arrangement / recording from Maranatha! Music - the chorus is a little different to how I play it.(13/05/2026)
'Jesus, Jesus, Holy and anointed one'
Beautiful and useful worship song, standing the test of time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=olBnC2nxCNw - nicely done.(12/05/2026)
'What love is this?'
The Doug Horley one. Allegedly a children's song - works well as all-age. Can be lively.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=68czwG1AJoo - someone called Julie Mayers has kindly provided a solo guitar alternative to the rather long official video.(11/05/2026)
'Crown Him with many crowns'
A good solid hymn, which has been revised/updated by various editors. (I prefer versions without the 'rolling spheres'.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vWRXvWZPUQ - an exciting arrangement of an old favourite.(10/05/2026)
'At the name of Jesus'
A hymn with many possible tunes: Camberwell is one of the few tunes from the 20th Century Church Light Music Group which has stayed in mainstream use - and it's our choice.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFI5l8v_0UY - a Songs of Praise version, heavily truncated, as is usual for them with longer hymns.(09/05/2026)
'Majesty'
A golden oldie, well used in its time but worth hanging on to. For church musicians, it's an opportunity to bring out all those old riffs and tweak them anew.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaRwD2Y7C0s - a 'big' arrangement, fairly restrained but works well. Nice coda.(08/05/2026)
'Jesus be the Centre'
Top-drawer song, in the 'para-celtic' vein. Stands a bit of repetition, and benefits from a mix of gentle/driving styles.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG-l1kK-BpU - a Praise album recording(07/05/2026)
'Jesus, we enthrone you'
Slow, versatile golden oldie.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jkyiT1_J6I - a light rendering, and an interesting variation.(06/05/2026)
There is an RSS feed for today's song
