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For Today...
'You are beautiful beyond description'
A worship song by Mark Altrogge. Lends itself to guitar in A, a gently driving rhythm with a persistent open A in the bass at the start.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkKHhNIySd0 - a different approach, finger-picked (in G) on a classical guitar. Nicely done.(03/02/2026)
Recent links
'Meekness and majesty'
Powerful and thoughtful song from Mr Kendrick. Useful for communion and in Lent / Holy Week.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtt52JEW_Zo - Graham Kendrick recording.(02/02/2026)
'Alleluia, Sing to Jesus'
The words of W C Dix's great hymn get sung in various different orders. Hyfrydol isn't the only tune used for it, but it's increasingly common - and why not!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmz-W733sz4 - a regular recording of a church closing hymn.(01/02/2026)
'We have a Gospel to Proclaim'
Very trad., but makes a good credal hymn as well as a proclamation. And Fulda is a very well-crafted tune.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ozcqFS3qlo - A Covid-era recording from St Martin in the Fields.(31/01/2026)
'Ascribe greatness'
An old song that everyone still remembers.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcv2K8GcqoA - live recording which doesn't hold back - from a Dales Bible Week.(30/01/2026)
'Here is bread, here is wine'
Lovely Communion song by Graham Kendrick. I avoid using the written introduction though, preferring to give the congregation a more obvious cue.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgHxVHUO_PU - Graham Kendrick album recording, complete with obligatory modulation.(29/01/2026)
'Jesus Christ I think upon'
Top-drawer Matt Redman song, which we tend to use pre-Communion. Nice with picked guitar, and/or electric piano.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwTB1DX5cK0 - tending towards the upbeat in terms of interpretation.(28/01/2026)
'May the peace of God our Heavenly Father'
A blessing song and a bit more besides, from Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQlFHIRFGGU - a Kristyn Getty recording.(27/01/2026)
'Wonderful grace (that gives what I don't deserve)'
A John Pantry song, well written, and good to keep in repertoire.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdugliaCXUk - a Townend / Phatfish rendering.(26/01/2026)
'Glorious things of Thee are spoken'
Words by JH Newton, tune by FJ Haydn... unless you're one of those people who like to try and set Abbot's Leigh to everything it will fit. There are various versions of the words, with different edits and adjustments for archaisms.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY93NvyqOm4 - a 4 verse version. I'd not heard v3 before.(25/01/2026)
'Jesus is Lord! Creation's voice proclaims it'
A golden oldie that still comes up occasionally, either at funerals or in Sunday services.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=prEq8NOx3vs - multi-track recording: Gareth Moore sings and accompanies himself on the piano.(24/01/2026)
'He is exalted'
There's a tricky rhythm for the congregation to deal with at one point, but it's worth keeping in repertoire.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCAL9sULAEA - nice arrangement.(23/01/2026)
'Lord, You are more precious than silver'
Beautiful 4-liner, a golden oldie, still good to work into worship song sequences.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2hGhWiAMQk - live recording.(22/01/2026)
'Turn your eyes upon Jesus'
Useful and pretty timeless worship/prayer 4-liner. (Actually, the chorus from a hymn which fell out of use long before my time.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7r0Br_HNs - Hillsong version.(21/01/2026)
'I give You all the honour'
One of those slow worship songs from the 1980s that still comes up from time to time. A good solid chord structure for musicians to build on.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6KDcm3Iohw - Marilla Ness recordingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=6ExfROvTxtM - Carl Tuttle album recording (I think)
(20/01/2026)
'The splendour of the King (How great is our God) '
Very popular song of the early 21st century.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBD18rsVJHk - Chris Tomlin recording.(19/01/2026)
'Lord, for the years'
A Timothy Dudley-Smith hymn (with tune by Michael Baughen), very much a 'standard' for looking back / looking forward occasions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNCuPjAZHZM - a BBC (Radio 2) recording, with all 5 verses. Christ's Hospital choir, accompanied on the organ.(18/01/2026)
'Father, Lord of Earth and Heaven'
Yet another use for 'Stuttgart':- this one is a useful song when the theme is the Baptism of Jesus.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I2OemBmZq0 - a 4 line, 4 verse version.(17/01/2026)
'Good News'
One of those Christmas songs from Graham Kendrick's "The Gift" that can be used as a Christmas song in its own right. More unusually, it works well on the organ, too.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-W4WJGnQoY - from Graham Kendrick Music.(16/01/2026)
'Father, never was love so near (Thanks be to God)'
Another song from Graham Kendrick's 'The Gift'...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2kMH7NuIOE - Graham Kendrick album recording.(15/01/2026)
'Like a candle flame'
Another song from Graham Kendrick's 'The Gift'. Ideally, with a massive crescendo in the final verse on 'from our lives, Spirit blazing'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZGVQKjn_V8 - a version uploaded by Matt Beckingham - a touch different, and nicely done.(14/01/2026)
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