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For Today...
'Yakanaka Vhangheri (English version: Listen Now for the Gospel)'
hymnary.org/text/come_holy_spirit_melt_and_break_these_he - we use these words, published by the Wild Goose Resource Group.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYdsskFFAkE - couldn't find a recording of the version we use: here's a slightly different one.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQfw63wKxB4 - and another.
A lively Zimbabwean (Shona) song with a cantor and repsonse chorus.
(25/05/2020)
Recent links
'There is a Higher Throne'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhFhVb7wLsU - sung by a church choir from Jakatra, Indonesia, whih a bit of harmony and a few twists.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAGX9iWQ8kI - the official Getty recording.
Powerful hymn of hope - a modern classic from the Gettys.
(17/05/2020)
'Name of all Majesty'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=COLt5pFH8Kk - led by the All Souls' orchestra. Complete with percussion.
One of many useful hymns from Timothy Dudley-Smith.
(17/05/2020)
'Crown Him with many crowns'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vWRXvWZPUQ - an exciting arrangement of an old favourite.
A good solid hymn, which has been revised/updated by various editors. (I prefer versions without the 'rolling spheres'.)
(17/05/2020)
'All Hail the Lamb'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC-cEsuXsfw - slow rendering with a coda borrowed from a Reuben Morgan song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYSVznoWq5Y - a Robin Mark recording... more energy, very good but also a teensy bit slow.
Dave Bilborough four-liner from the 1980s, standing the test of time - as far as we're concerned.
(17/05/2020)
'At the name of Jesus'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFI5l8v_0UY - a Songs of Praise version, heavily truncated, as is usual for them with longer hymns.
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.
(17/05/2020)
'10,000 reasons'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E - very widely played recording with Matt Redman
Popular song (has won a couple of 'best' awards), with a near-anthemic chorus.
(17/05/2020)
'Before the Throne of God Above'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-50pFs0hRpg - slightly different (more archaic) words from the ones we use, and a different musical treatment too, but it's clearly delivered and well done.
19th century hymn rescued from obscurity in the 1990s by pairing with a new tune from Vikki Cook.
(17/05/2020)
'Let us build a house where love can dwell'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbyZQnPw-wk - with all the verses, including the 'communion' one.
Brilliant, moving, anthemic masterpiece by Marty Haughen.
(10/05/2020)
'One church, one voice'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQO1jw30Dbg - from some of Scotland's finest.
A good but undervalued song, and a song with a rhythm to wake everyone up in the morning.
(10/05/2020)
'Jesus, Jesus, Holy and anointed one'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=olBnC2nxCNw - nicely done.
Beautiful and useful worship song, standing the test of time.
(10/05/2020)
'O let the Son of God enfold You'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cfbJVYMMi0 - a slightly twitchy rendering, straightforward but nicely done.
John Wimber's classic song.
(10/05/2020)
'Even though I walk through the valley (Never Let Go)'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFIDj5QF1vI - a Matt Redman recording.
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.
(10/05/2020)
'When I call on your name you answer'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEpSOcyLB14 - Ben Cantelon's own recording.
Top-drawer worship song. One of those songs that works well with a congregation and can also be improvised upon.
(10/05/2020)
'Be Thou my vision'
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05kgpcw - a Songs of Praise recording from St Patrick's, Dungannon. (Only 4 verses, though.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiukM6WHQEQ - syncopated version, nicely done, but not using the improved words.
Two decisions have to be made before singing this song. The first involves Eleanor Hull's versification:- do you go with the original (10.10.10.10), or do you use the 10.11.11.11 version (as used in the 1951 BBC Hymnal and adopted by two subsequent generations of Baptist Hymn Book) which improves it for congregational singing? The answer to that question is... the latter, without doubt. The second decision is... to syncopate, or to play it straight? That largely depends on whether you're playing the organ or leading a worship band... and what mood you're in.
(10/05/2020)
'Love Divine, all loves excelling'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hmfqe_8SEI - from Keswick, with piano-led band accompaniment.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkThxONfQ7Y - sung in a traditional church setting, with organ accompaniment, nicely done (except for playing a whole verse of introduction and then only singing three!).
One of Charles Wesley's masterpieces, and a top-drawer Welsh hymn tune.
(10/05/2020)
'God to enfold you'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxAM4JDkPus - this choir practice recording is the only one I could find.
In a group / congregational setting where you're not doing the 4 part harmony, it works well with guitar accompaniment.
(02/05/2020)
'Blessed be Your Name'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnWKehsOXu8 - Matt Redman knows how to arrange and sing this!
A top-drawer Matt and Beth Redman song written in response to personal tragedy.
(02/05/2020)
'Our confidence is in the Lord'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZtCpBQkXO0 - a 1991 recording, from the Noel Richards album 'By Your side'.
I've checked several recordings of this, and the general verdict is, I play it with too much energy.
(02/05/2020)
'My eyes are dim with weeping'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbNK2IUsbDs - a recording which gives an example of using the song in conjunction with prayers of lament.
It has often been observed that unlike the book of Psalms, we have plenty of praise songs but next to nothing for lament. This two line cantor and response song by Alison Adam tackles that head-on.
(02/05/2020)
'Still my soul, be still'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9t5_ZNmaw - from the Getty's album 'Awaken the Dawn'.
A gem of a song for times of adversity, from Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend.
(02/05/2020)
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