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For Today...
'God is our strength and refuge'
Eric Coates' stirring tune works well with these words, provided you can separate it from its original purpose. I prefer strictly versified use of the tune to help with that, although I did play it in full once, for the funeral of someone who had served in the RAF.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCJ78TzBJPg - a lockdown recording - organ and soprano - done in a traditional church way.(11/11/2026)
Recent links
'Now thank we all our God'
A great hymn of praise and thanksgiving.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGMuJ4U7zT8 - Lincoln Minster School choir, with beautiful phrasing.(10/11/2026)
'From heaven to here (Stranger's guise)'
This makes a refreshing change for a pre-communion song, and put the tune 'Leaving of Liverpool' to good use.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2ORR3HMpcY - album recording, far more ambitious than you would sing in a service.(09/11/2026)
'Eternal Father, strong to save'
Traditional, stirring, hymn for occasions of Remembrance, sung to Melita, a fine tune from J B Dykes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cHPSFFa5cU - from Wells Cathedral choir(08/11/2026)
'All for Jesus, all for Jesus'
The under-used closing hymn from Stainer's Crucifixion.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcwzvLhqAH8 - it has to be this tune.(07/11/2026)
'A Sovereign Protector I Have'
A fine hymn from 18th century writer Augustus M Toplady (he of 'Rock of Ages'), modernised (slightly) and sung to the gut-stirringly wonderful and beautifully harmonised Welsh tune 'Trewen'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ONBRS1683I - Metropolitan Tabernacle, London - 3 verse version (we have just the first and last).(06/11/2026)
'Dear Lord and Father of mankind'
Whittier's much-loved hymn... sung to Parry's wonderful tune Repton... with a last verse that sometimes used to get me into contortions on the organ, with that massive crescendo and quiet last line. Not what Whittier had in mind, but hey.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7SX3r59sc - from the Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury. Just five verses.(05/11/2026)
'O God our help in ages past'
90th Psalm paraphrase, rarely used beyond services of Remembrance now.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjdmLstpNGE - Songs of Praise - the full 5 verses and a nice descant.(04/11/2026)
'Jesus, remember me'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6tVReXsioM - an engaging arrangement of this song.(03/11/2026)
'Soon and very soon'
This song needs singing in the style Andre Crouch wrote it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxarZBxK0iQ - gospel rendering, with a few additions that don't appear in the average hymnbook.(02/11/2026)
'For all the saints'
Along hymn, which makes it a good processional. Useful for All Saints' Day and other occasions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_UvXe-of-s - an 8 verse rendering from the choir of St Edmundsbury cathedral.www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQSLwJtkUd0 - a 6 verse version: congregational singing from Sunnydale, California.
(01/11/2026)
'All People that on Earth do Dwell'
Grand and stately Psalm 100, sung to 'Old Hundredth'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=us2O62TTqYA - the Vaughan Williams arrangement, with its wonderful harmonic twists. (I have my own organ last verse arrangement for this, harmonies less wonderful but more riotous.)(31/10/2026)
'Sing Praises all you peoples'
Or, Laudate omnes gentes. A Taizé chant of praise.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NQsqK_hMkI - in English, with a good range of variation of expression. There are 15 seconds of silence at the start which might have you checking your audio.www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2IBCcx77LQ - from Taize, and in Arabic.
(30/10/2026)
'All Who are Thirsty (Come Lord Jesus, Come)'
Song with a gentle opening and a powerful chorus that you can build on.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaqwB1K0ggA - gets taken down to the right level after the introduction.(29/10/2026)
'Say the word '
Song of encounter and healing from Stuart Townend. In terms of accompaniment, less is more.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUZ2ccaRCkQ - studio recording.(28/10/2026)
'Beauty for brokenness'
A very direct, wide-ranging, challenging and powerful song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=08utbDFP9AE - the 'official' Graham Kendrick rendering, modulation and all, as featured on his website.(27/10/2026)
'I cannot tell how He whom angels worship'
Well-crafted hymn, one of those which goes from birth to second coming - set to the beautiful Londonderry Air.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=62wk5KvI7-w - a Songs of Praise recording - lovely, but only the first two verses.www.youtube.com/watch?v=zItma-BlmM8 - Salisbury Cathedral choir, with all four verses.
(26/10/2026)
'Sing of the Lord's Goodness'
Great song - makes a lively opener.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9fsAKZHq-w - by Jazz Church.www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzTXl_jA-XQ - a remotely recorded and nicely produced 'lockdown' version, from Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church.
(25/10/2026)
'The Trumpets Sound'
Great fun, and a great excuse to mix in the steel drum sounds prominently.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=izym6R3vlF4 - the original Kendrick recording from Make Way for the Cross(24/10/2026)
'Our God is greater'
A song the band can get really their teeth into... especially the electric guitarist. Needs a bit of rethinking for smaller congregations though.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJpt1hSYf2o - Chris Tomlin a live performance.(23/10/2026)
'Sing And shout for joy, Alleluia'
Simple but well-written all-age song of praise from Bernadette Farrell.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwdvoZZHTRM - album recording.(22/10/2026)
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