Ave Verum Corpus (Mozart)

Ave, verum corpus
natum de Maria Virgine,
Vere passum immolatum
in Cruce pro homine,
Cujus latus perforatum
unda fluxit et sanguine,
Esto nobis praegustatum
in mortis examine

Historical Information

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (Großer Gott)

See also the German original: Großer Gott, wir loben dich

Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in Heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord.

Lo! the apostolic train
Join the sacred Name to hallow;
Prophets swell the loud refrain,
And the white robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun,
Through the Church the song goes on.

Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee;
While in essence only One,
Undivided God we claim Thee;
And adoring bend the knee,
While we own the mystery.

Thou art King of glory, Christ:
Son of God, yet born of Mary;
For us sinners sacrificed,
And to death a tributary:
First to break the bars of death,
Thou has opened Heaven to faith.

From Thy high celestial home,
Judge of all, again returning,
We believe that Thou shalt come
In the dreaded doomsday morning;
When Thy voice shall shake the earth,
And the startled dead come forth.

Therefore do we pray Thee, Lord:
Help Thy servants whom, redeeming
By Thy precious blood out-poured,
Thou hast saved from Satan’s scheming.
Give to them eternal rest
In the glory of the blest.

Spare Thy people, Lord, we pray,
By a thousand snares surrounded:
Keep us without sin today,
Never let us be confounded.
Lo, I put my trust in Thee;
Never, Lord, abandon me.

See also the German original: Großer Gott, wir loben dich

Paraphrase of the Te Deum Laudamus

Words: Ignaz Franz (1771), English translation: Clarence A Walworth (1820-1900),
Music: GROSSER GOTT 78.78.77 (Wien, 1776)/Heinrich Bones Gesangbuch Cantate (Mainz 1852)

We Remember (Marty Haugen)

Refrain:

We remember how you loved us to your death,
And still we celebrate for you are with us here.
And we believe that we will see you when you come in your glory, Lord.
We remember, we celebrate, we believe!

Here, a million wounded souls
Are yearning just to touch you and be healed;
Gather all your people, and hold them to your heart. (Refrain)

Now we recreate you love,
We bring the bread and wine to share a meal;
Sign of grace and mercy, the Presence of the Lord. (Refrain)

Christ, the Father's great Amen
To all the hopes and dreams of every heart;
Peace beyond all telling, and freedom from all fear. (Refrain)

See the face of Christ revealed
in every person standing by your side.
Gift to one another and temples of your love. (Refrain)

Composer: Marty Haugen (1980)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Panis Angelicus (César Franck)

Panis angelicus
fit panis hominum;
Dat panis caelicus
figuris terminum:
O res mirabilis!
manducat Dominum
Pauper, servus, et humilis.
Te trina Deitas
unaque poscimus:
Sic nos tu visita,
sicut te colimus;
Per tuas semitas
duc nos quo tendimus,
Ad lucem quam inhabitas.
Amen.

Historical Information

Words: Thomas Aquinas
Music: César Franck (1872)

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Historical Information

Text: Reginald Heber (1826)
Tune: NICAEA, 11.12.12.10 by John Bacchus Dykes (1861)

Spirit Of God In The Clear Running Water

Spirit of God in the clear running water
Blowing to greatness the trees on the hill.
Spirit of God in the finger of morning:
Fill the earth, bring it to birth,
And blow where you will.
Blow, blow, blow till I be
But the breath of the Spirit blowing in me.

Down in the meadow the willows are moaning
Sheep in the pastureland cannot lie still.
Spirit of God, creation is groaning:
Fill the earth, bring it to birth,
And blow where you will.
Blow, blow, blow till I be
But the breath of the Spirit blowing in me.

I saw the scar of a year that lay dying
Heard the lament of a lone whippoorwill.
Spirit of God, see that cloud crying:
Fill the earth, bring it to birth,
And blow where you will.
Blow, blow, blow till I be
But the breath of the Spirit blowing in me.

Spirit of God every man's heart is lonely
Watching and waiting and hungry until
Spirit of God, man longs that you only
Fulfill the earth, bring it to birth,
And blow where you will.
Blow, blow, blow till I be
But the breath of the Spirit blowing in me.

Composer: Miriam Therese Winter (b. 1938)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

O Spirit Of The Living God

O Spirit of the living God,
In all Thy plenitude of grace,
Where’er the foot of man hath trod,
Descend on our apostate race.

Give tongues of fire and hearts of love
To preach the reconciling Word,
Give power and unction from above,
Whene’er the joyful sound is heard.

Be darkness, at Thy coming, light;
Confusion, order in Thy path;
Souls without strength inspire with might;
Bid mercy triumph over wrath.

O Spirit of the Lord, prepare
All the round earth her God to meet;
Breathe Thou abroad like morning air,
Till hearts of stone begin to beat.

Baptize the nations; far and nigh
The triumphs of the cross record;
The Name of Jesus glorify,
Till every kindred call Him Lord.

God from eternity hath willed
All flesh shall His salvation see:
So be the Father’s love fulfilled,
The Savior’s sufferings crowned through Thee.

Words: James Montgomery, 1823.
Tune: MELCOMBE LM, by Samuel Webbe, 1782

Gracious Spirit, Dwell With Me

Gracious Spirit, dwell with me;
I myself would gracious be;
and with words that help and heal
would thy life in mine reveal;
and with actions bold and meek
would for Christ my Savior speak.

Truthful Spirit, dwell with me;
I myself would truthful be;
and with wisdom kind and clear
let thy life in mine appear;
and with actions brotherly
speak my Lord's sincerity.

Mighty Spirit, dwell with me;
I myself would mighty be,
mighty so as to prevail
where unaided man must fail;
ever by a mighty hope
pressing on and bearing up.

Holy Spirit, dwell with me;
I myself would holy be;
separate from sin, I would
choose and cherish all things good,
and whatever I can be
give to him who gave me thee!

Text: Thomas T. Lynch, 1855
Tune: ADORO DEVOTE 11.11.11.11 (1697)

Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art;
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The kindling of the heaven descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.

Text: George Croly, 1867
Tune: MORECAMBE 10.10.10.10, by Frederick C. Atkinson, 1870

Wind Upon The Waters (Marty Haugen)

Wind upon the waters,
voice upon the deep;
rouse your sons and daughters,
wake us from our sleep.
Breathing life into all flesh,
breathing love into all hearts,
Living wind upon the waters of my soul.

Showers from the heaven,
water from the earth;
Gift so wholly given,
source of every birth.
Joy of every living thing,
making all creation sing,
Shower down upon the dry earth of my soul.

Rock and hill and garden,
wood and desert sand;
Prairie, field and meadow,
shaped by Love's own hand.
Love that fills the world around,
springing up from barren ground,
Grow your love within the garden of my soul.

Blazing light of wonder,
flame that pierces night;
Burst the dark asunder,
fill our souls with light.
Lord of glory, fill the skies,
make an end to hatred's cries,
Be the blazing Sun of justice in our lives.

Wind upon the waters,
rains upon the sand,
Grace your sons and daughters,
newborn by your hand.
Come, O Spirit and renew
all the life that comes from you,
Send your winds upon the waters of my soul.

Composer: Marty Haugen (1986)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Like the Murmur of the Dove's Song

Like the murmur of the dove's song, like the challenge of her flight,
like the vigor of the wind's rush, like the new flame's eager might:
Come, Holy Spirit, come!

To the members of Christ's body, to the branches of the Vine,
to the church in faith assembled, to our midst as gift and sign:
Come, Holy Spirit, come!

With the healing of division, with the ceaseless voice of prayer,
with the power to love and witness, with the peace beyond compare:
Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Text: Carl P. Daw, Jr., 1982
Tune: BRIDEGROOM 87.87.6, Peter Cutts, 1968

Holy Spirit, Truth Divine

Holy Spirit, Truth divine,
dawn upon this soul of mine;
Breath of God and inward Light
wake my spirit, clear my sight.

Holy Spirit, Love divine,
glow within this heart of mine;
kindle every high desire;
perish self in thy pure fire.

Holy Spirit, Power divine
fill and nerve this will of mine;
by thee may I strongly live,
bravely bear and nobly strive.

Holy Spirit, Right divine,
King within my conscience reign;
be my Lord, and I shall be
firmly bound, forever free.

Holy Spirit, Peace divine,
still this restless heart of mine;
speak to calm this tossing sea,
stayed in thy tranquility.

Holy Spirit, Joy divine,
gladden thou this heart of mine;
in the desert ways I sing,
"Spring, O Well, forever spring."

Words: Samuel Longfellow, 1864
Music: Andrew Carter (b. 1939)

Without Seeing You (David Haas)

Refrain:

Without seeing you we love you.
Without touching you we embrace.
Without knowing you we follow.
Without seeing you we believe.

We return to you deep within,
leave the past to the dust.
Turn to you with tears and fasting,
You are ready to forgive. (Refrain)

The sparrow will find a home
near to you oh God.
How happy we who dwell with you,
for ever in your house. (Refrain)

For ever we sing to you
of your goodness, O God;
proclaiming to all the world
of your faithfulness and love. (Refrain)

For you are our shepherd
there is nothing that we need.
In green pastures we will find our way,
in waters of peace. (Refrain)

Paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:8

Composer: David Haas (1993)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Sans te voir, nous t'aimons

Refrain:

Sans te voir, nous t'aimons,
Sans te voir, nous croyons,
Et nous exultons de joie, Seigneur,
Sûrs que tu nous sauves.
Nous croyons en toi.

Qui écoute ta Parole, Seigneur,
Ne verra jamais la mort.
Il possède en lui la vie éternelle.
A qui irions-nous, Seigneur?
Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle! (Refrain)

Qui demeure en ta Parole, Seigneur,
Dans la vérité vivra,
Et ta vérité, ô Christ, le rend libre.
A qui irions-nous, Seigneur?
Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle! (Refrain)

Par la foi, Seigneur, habite en nos cœurs,
Garde-nous dans ton amour,
Donne-nous la force dans l'espérance.
A qui irions-nous, Seigneur?
Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle! (Refrain)

J'ai donné ma foi au Christ crucifié,
Non, ce n'est plus moi qui vis,
C'est le Christ qui vit en moi, il me sauve.
A qui irions-nous, Seigneur?
Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle! (Refrain)

Par ta grâce, tu nous sauves, Seigneur,
Tu mets en nos cœurs la foi,
Le salut nous vient de toi, c'est ton œuvre.
A qui irions-nous, Seigneur?
Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle! (Refrain)

En nos cœurs, Jésus, tu verses l'amour,
Tu nous donnes ton Esprit,
Et son feu répand la joie sur le monde.
A qui irions-nous, Seigneur?
Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle! (Refrain)

Que ta claire joie nous garde sans fin,
Dans la paix de ton amour,
Puissions-nous chanter ta gloire éternelle.
A qui irions-nous, Seigneur?
Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle! (Refrain)

Dans la même foi rassemble tes fils,
Conduis-nous dans ta maison,
Où nous te contemplerons face à face.
A qui irions-nous, Seigneur?
Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle! (Refrain)

Texte e musique du Lucien Deiss (1968)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Sweet, Sweet Spirit

Theres a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place
And I know that its the Spirit of the Lord
There are sweet expressions on each face
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord

Refrain:

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove
Stay right here with us, filling us with your love
And for these blessings, we lift our hearts in praise
Without a doubt we`ll know that we have been revived
When we shall leave this place.

There are blessings you cannot receive
Till you know Him in His fullness and believe
You're the one to profit when you say
I am going to walk with Jesus all the way (Refrain)

If you say He saved you from your sin
Now you're weak, you're bound and cannot enter in
You can make it right if you will yield
You'll enjoy the Holy Spirit that we feel (Refrain)

Composer: Doris Akers (1962)

Where Charity And Love Prevail

Where charity and love prevail,
there God is ever found;
Brought here together by Christ’s love,
by love are we thus bound.

With grateful joy and holy fear
God’s charity we learn;
Let us with heart and mind and soul
now love God in return.

Forgive we now each other’s faults
as we our faults confess;
And let us love each other well
in Christian holiness.

Let strife among us be unknown,
let all contention cease;
Be God’s the glory that we seek,
be ours God’s holy peace.

Let us recall that in our midst
dwells God’s begotten Son;
As members of his body joined,
we are in Christ made one.

No race or creed can love exclude,
if honored be God’s name;
Our family embraces all
whose Father is the same.

Text: Ubi Caritas, tr. Omer Westendorf (1961)
Tune: CHRISTIAN LOVE, CM, by Paul Benoit (1961)

Blessed Quietness (Joys Are Flowing)

Joys are flowing like a river,
Since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever,
Makes the trusting heart His home.

Refrain

Blessèd quietness, holy quietness,
What assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea, He speaks peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll!

Bringing life and health and gladness,
All around this heav’nly Guest,
Banished unbelief and sadness,
Changed our weariness to rest. (Refrain)

Like the rain that falls from Heaven,
Like the sunlight from the sky,
So the Holy Ghost is given,
Coming on us from on high. (Refrain)

See, a fruitful field is growing,
Blessèd fruit of righteousness;
And the streams of life are flowing
In the lonely wilderness. (Refrain)

What a wonderful salvation,
Where we always see His face!
What a perfect habitation,
What a quiet resting place! (Refrain)

Text: Manie P. Ferguson (1897)
Music: W.S. Marshall (1897)

Send Down The Fire (Marty Haugen)

Refrain:

Send down the fire of your justice,
Send down the rains of your love;
Come, send down the Spirit, breathe life in your people,
and we shall be people of God.

Call us to be your compassion,
Teach us the song of your love;
Give us hearts that sing,
Give us deeds that ring,
Make us ring with the song of your love. (Refrain)

Call us to learn of your mercy,
Teach us the way of your peace;
Give us hearts that feel,
Give us hands that heal,
Make us walk in the way of your peace. (Refrain)

Call us to answer oppression,
Teach us the fire of your truth;
Give us righteous souls,
'Til your justice rolls,
make us burn with the fire of your truth. (Refrain)

Call us to witness your Kingdom,
Give us the presence of Christ;
May your holy light
Keep us shining bright,
Ever shine with the presence of Christ. (Refrain)

Composer: Marty Haugen (1989)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Notre Père / Our Father / Vater unser (Taizé)

IN FRENCH:









IN ENGLISH:


IN GERMAN:



FRENCH:

Notre Père, qui es aux cieux,
Que ton nom soit sanctifié,
Que ton règne vienne,
Que ta volonté soit faite
Sur la terre comme au ciel.
Donne-nous aujourd’hui notre pain de ce jour
Pardonne-nous nos offenses,
Comme nous pardonnons aussi à ceux qui nous ont offensés
Et ne nous soumets pas à la tentation,
Mais délivre-nous du mal.
Amen.

ENGLISH:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kinngdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us,
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

GERMAN:

Vater unser im Himmel,
geheiligt werde Dein Name.
Dein Reich komme.
Dein Wille geschehe,
wie im Himmel so auf Erden.
Unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute.
Und vergib uns unsere Schuld,
wie auch wir vergeben unseren Schuldigern.
Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung,
sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen.
Denn Dein ist das Reich und die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit in Ewigkeit.
Amen.

Background Information: French / English / German

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Come Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Historical Background

Words: Robert Robinson (1758)
Tune: NETTLETON, from Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music, Part II (1813)

Send Us Your Spirit (David Haas)

Refrain:

Come Lord Jesus, send us your Spirit.
Renew the face of the earth.
Come Lord Jesus. send us your Spirit.
Renew the face of the earth.

Come to us, Spirit of God. Breathe in us now. We sing together.
Spirit of hope and of light, be in our lives.
Come to us, Spirit of God. (Refrain)

Fill us with the fire of love. Burn in us now. Bring us together.
Come to us; dwell in us. Change our lives, oh Lord.
Come to us, Spirit of God. (Refrain)

Send us the wings of new birth.
Fill all the earth with the love you have taught us.
Let all creation now be shaken with love.
Come to us, Spirit of God. (Refrain)

Composer: David Haas (1981)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

I Am Sure I Shall See (Taizé)

I am sure I shall see
the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Yes, I shall see
the goodness of our God,
hold firm, trust in the Lord.

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Siyahamba, ekukanyen' kwenkos' (We Are Marching In the Light of God)

Siyahamba, ekukanyen' kwenkos'
Siyahamba ekukanyen' kwenkos'
Siyahamba ekukanyen' kwenkos'
Siyahamba ekukanyen' kwenkos'
Siyahamba, siyahamba, oh
Siyahamba ekukanyen' kwenkos'
Siyahamba, siyahamba, oh
Siyahamba ekukanyen' kwenkos'

We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, marching
We are marching, marching
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, marching
We are marching, marching
We are marching in the light of God.

Background Information

Zulu lyrics: Thabo Mkize

Spirit Blowing Through Creation (Marty Haugen)

Spirit blowing through creation,
spirit burning in the sky,
let the hope of your salvation fill our eyes;
God of splendor, God of glory,
You who light the stars above,
all the heavens tell the story of your love.

As you move upon the waters,
As you ride upon the wind,
Move us all, your sons and daughters deep within;
As you shaped the hills and mountains,
Formed the land and filled the deep,
Let your hand renew and waken all who sleep.

Refrain:

Spirit renewing the earth,
renewing the hearts of all people;
burn in the weary souls, blow through the silent lips,
come now awake us, Spirit of God.

Love that sends the rivers dancing,
love that waters all that lives,
love that heals and holds and rouses and forgives.
You are food for all creatures,
You are hunger in the soul,
in Your hands the brokenhearted are made whole.

All the creatures you have fashioned,
All that live and breathe in you,
Find their hope in your compassion, strong and true;
You, O Spirit of salvation,
You alone, beneath, above,
Come, renew your whole creation in your love (Refrain)

Composer: Marty Haugen (1987)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Hail Mary: Gentle Woman (Carey Landry)

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women
And blest is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Refrain:

Gentle woman, quiet light,
Morning star, so strong and bright.
Gentle mother, peaceful dove,
Teach us wisdom, teach us love.

You were chosen by the Father,
You were chosen for the Son,
You were chosen from all women,
And for woman, shining one. (Refrain)

Blessed are you among women.
Blest in turn all women too.
Blessed they with peaceful spirits.
Blessed they with gentle hearts. (Refrain)

Composer: Carey Landry (1979)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Cantate Domino Canticum Novum (Taizé)

Cantate Domino canticum novum.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Cantate Domino omnis terra.
Alleluia, alleluia.

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Salve Regina

SOLEMN TONE:


SOLEMN TONE (POLYPHONIC):


SIMPLE TONE:


Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae,
vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
ad te clamamus
exsules filii Evae,
ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos
misericordes oculos ad nos converte;
et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

Historical Information

Text: ascribed to Hermannus Contractus, c. 1080
Tone: plainchant, Mode I (solemn), Mode V (simple)

O Breathe On Me, O Breath of God

O breathe on me, O breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the things you love,
and do what you would do.

O breathe on me, O breath of God,
until my heart is pure;
until my will is one with yours,
to do and to endure.

O breathe on me, O breath of God,
my will to yours incline,
until this selfish part of me
glows with Your fire divine.

O breathe on me, O breath of God,
so I shall never die,
but live with you the perfect life
for all eternity.

Text: Edwin Hatch (1835-1889)
Tune: ST. COLUMBA, CM. Traditional Gaelic folk tune.

La ténèbre n'est point ténèbre (Taizé)

La ténèbre n'est point ténèbre devant toi:
la nuit comme le jour est lumière.

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Come Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
and lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above
is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
the dullness of our blinded sight.

Anoint and cheer our soiled face
with the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far from foes, give peace at home:
where thou art guide, no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
and thee, of both, to be but One,
that through the ages all along,
this may be our endless song:

Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

See also the Latin version: Veni, Creator Spiritus

Text: Veni, Creator Spiritus, attr. to Rabanus Maurus (780-856), tr. by John Cosin (1594-1672)
Tune: plainchant, Mode VIII

Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
et emitte caelitus
lucis tuae radium.

Veni, pater pauperum,
veni, dator munerum
veni, lumen cordium.

Consolator optime,
dulcis hospes animae,
dulce refrigerium.

In labore requies,
in aestu temperies
in fletu solatium.

O lux beatissima,
reple cordis intima
tuorum fidelium.

Sine tuo numine,
nihil est in homine,
nihil est innoxium.

Lava quod est sordidum,
riga quod est aridum,
sana quod est saucium.

Flecte quod est rigidum,
fove quod est frigidum,
rege quod est devium.

Da tuis fidelibus,
in te confidentibus,
sacrum septenarium.

Da virtutis meritum,
da salutis exitum,
da perenne gaudium,
Amen, Alleluia

Historical Information

Text: attr. to Stephen Langton, (c. 1150 – 1228)
Music: Plainchant, Mode I

I Sing A Maid

I sing a maid of tender years
To whom an angel came,
And knelt, as to a mighty queen,
And bowed his wings of flame;
A nation's hope in her reply,
This maid of matchless grace;
For God's own son became her child,
And she his resting place.

She watched him grow to manhood's strength
To meet his destiny,
And when the danger of his truth
Brought him to Calvary,
She stood by him all powerless
To ease his dying pain,
'Til in the darkest hour of all,
She held her Son again.

And if the song had ended then,
Our eyes would fill with tears,
But ah! The song had just begun
To echo down the years!
Now lift your voices, hearts and souls,
To sing with one accord
To honor Mary, Mother of
The Christ, the Risen Lord!

Words: M.D. Ridge (1987)
Music: THE FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 14.14.14.14 Traditional Celtic melody

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Veni, Creator Spiritus

Veni, creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia,
quae tu creasti pectora.

Qui diceris Paraclitus,
altissimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas
et spiritalis unctio.

Tu septiformis munere,
digitus paternae dexterae
tu rite promissum Patris
sermone ditans guttura.

Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis,
virtute firmans perpeti.

Hostem repellas longius
pacemque dones protinus;
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.

Per te sciamus da Patrem
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.

Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula.
Amen.

Historical Information

English Translations/Paraphrase:
(1) Come Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire
(2) Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest

Text: attr. to Rabanus Maurus (780-856)
Tune: Plainchant, Mode VIII

Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest

Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest,
And in our hearts take up Thy rest;
Come with Thy grace and heav'nly aid
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made,
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O Comfort Blest to Thee we cry,
Thou heav'nly Gift of God most high;
Thou fount of life and fire of love,
And sweet anointing from above,
And sweet anointing from above.

O Holy Ghost, Through thee alone
Know we the Father and the Son;
Be this firm unchanging creed,
That thou dost from them both proceed,
That thou dost from them both proceed.

Praise be to Thee Father and Son,
And Holy Spirit Three in one;
And may the Son on us bestow
The gifts that from the Spirit flow,
The gifts that from the Spirit flow.

See also the Latin version: Veni, Creator Spiritus

Text: Veni, Creator Spiritus, attr. to Rabanus Maurus (780-856), tr. by Edward Caswall (1814-1878)
Tune: LAMBILLOTTE LM with repeat, by Louis Lambillotte (1796-1855)

Sing We Of The Blessed Mother

Sing we of the blessed Mother who received the angel's word,
And obedient to the summons bore in love the infant Lord;
Sing we of the joys of Mary at whose breast that child was fed
Who is Son of God eternal and the everlasting Bread.

Sing we, too, of Mary's sorrows, of the sword that pierced her through,
When beneath the cross of Jesus she his weight of suff'ring knew,
Looked upon her Son and Savior reigning from the awful tree,
Saw the price of our redemption paid to set the sinner free.

Sing again the joys of Mary when she saw the risen Lord,
And in prayer with Christ's apostles, waited on his promised word:
from on high the blazing glory of the Spirit's presence came,
heav'nly breath of God's own being tokened in the wind and flame.

Sing the chiefest joy of Mary, when on earth her work was done,
And the Lord of all creation brought her to his heav'nly home:
Virgin Mother, Mary blessed, raised on high and crowned with grace,
May your Son, the world's redeemer, grant us all to see his face.

Words: George B. Timms (b. 1910)
Music: RUSTINGTON 87.87D, by Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918)

還我誓願 (My Vow)

天主是愛，他差耶穌來世上，
他為眾人捨去他的性命，是心甘情願的。
你呼喊我名字，我認得袮聲音。
我願一生跟隨你，永 遠不改變，報謝袮的救恩。
我要舉起救恩的杯，我要呼喊上主的名。
我願是他的僕役，在眾百姓前還我的誓願。
我要獻上讚美的祭，我要 呼喊上主的名，
我要在他聖殿內，在眾百姓前，
還我的誓願。

Bendigo al Señor (Taizé)

Bendigo al Señor
porque escucha mi voz,
el Señor es mi fuerza,
confia mi corazón.

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Immaculate Mary

Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing;
You reign now in splendor with Jesus our King.

Refrain:
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Ave, ave, Maria!

Predestined for Christ by eternal decree,
God willed you both virgin and mother to be. (Refrain)

To you by an angel, the Lord God made known
The grace of the Spirit, the gift of the Son. (Refrain)

Most blest of all women, you heard and believed,
Most blest in the fruit of your womb then conceived. (Refrain)

The angels rejoice when you brought forth God's Son;
Your joy is the joy of all ages to come. (Refrain)

Your child is the Savior, all hope lies in him;
He gives us new life and redeems us from sin. (Refrain)

In glory for ever now close to your Son,
All ages will praise you for all God has done. (Refrain)

Historical Information

Text: v. 1 Jeremiah Cummings (1814-1866); vv. 2-7, Brian Foley (b. 1919)
Tune: LOURDES HYMN, 11.11 + Refrain (Grenoble, 1882)

Kristus, din Ande (Taizé)

Kristus, din Ande i oss
är en källa med porlande vatten.

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

O Sanctissima

O Sanctissima, O Piisima
Dulcis Virgo Maria
Mater amata, In temerata
Ora, ora Pro Nobis

Tota pulchra es, O Maria
Et macula non est in te
Mater amata intemerata
Ora, ora pro nobis

Sicut lilium inter spinas
Sic Maria inter filias
Mater amata intemerata
Ora ora pro nobis

In miseria, in angustia
Ora Virgo pro nobis
Pro nobis ora in mortis hora
Ora, ora pro nobis

Tu solatium et refugium
Virgo Mater Maria
Quidquid optamus per te speramus
Ora, ora pro nobis

Historical Background

Words: Stimmen der Völker in Liedern, Arundel Hymnal
Music: O DU FRÖLICHE 55.7.55.7

Spirit Song (O Let The Son of God Enfold You)

O let the Son of God enfold you
With His Spirit and His love
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
O let Him have the things that hold you
And His Spirit like a dove
Will descend upon your life and make you whole

Refrain:

Jesus, O Jesus
Come and fill Your lambs
Jesus, O Jesus
Come and fill Your lambs

O come and sing this song with gladness
As your hearts are filled with joy
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name
O give Him all your tears and sadness
Give Him all your years of pain
And you'll enter into life in Jesus' name (Refrain)

Composer: John Wimber (1979)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

Bonum est confidere (Taizé)

Bonum est confidere in Domino

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Breathe On Me, Breath Of God

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love,
and do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until with thee I will one will,
to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
till I am wholly thine,
till all this earthly part of me
glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with thee the perfect life
of thine eternity.

Text: Edwin Hatch (1835-1889)
Music: TRENTHAM, SM, by Robert Jackson, 1842-1914

Sing of Mary

Sing of Mary, pure and lowly,
Virgin mother undefiled,
Sing of God's own Son most holy,
Who became her little child.
Fairest child of fairest mother,
God the Lord who came to earth,
Word made flesh, our very brother,
Takes our nature by his birth.

Sing of Jesus, son of Mary,
In the home at Nazareth.
Toil and labour cannot weary
Love enduring unto death.
Constant was the love he gave her,
Though he went forth from her side,
Forth to preach, and heal, and suffer,
Till on Calvary he died.

Glory be to God the Father;
Glory be to God the Son;
Glory be to God the Spirit;
Glory to the Three in One.
From the heart of blessed Mary,
From all saints the song ascends,
And the Church the strain reechoes
Unto earth's remotest ends.

Words: Roland F. Palmer (1938)
Music: PLEADING SAVIOR 87.87 D (Christian Lyre, 1830)

Come Down, O Love Divine

Come down, O love divine, seek Thou this soul of mine,
And visit it with Thine own ardor glowing.
O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear,
And kindle it, Thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn, til earthly passions turn
To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
And let Thy glorious light shine ever on my sight,
And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

Let holy charity mine outward vesture be,
And lowliness become mine inner clothing;
True lowliness of heart, which takes the humbler part,
And o’er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.

And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long,
Shall far outpass the power of human telling;
For none can guess its grace, till he become the place
Wherein the Holy Spirit makes His dwelling.

Words: Discendi, Amor Santo, by Bianco da Siena, d. 1434; tr. Richard Frederick Littledale (1867)
Music: Down Ampney Meter: 66.11 D, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Every Time I Feel The Spirit

Refrain:
Every time I feel the spirit
Movin’ in my heart I will pray
Every time I feel the spirit
Movin’ in my heart I will pray

Up on the mountains my Lord spoke
Out of His mouth came fire and smoke
Looked all around me, it looked so fine
I asked the Lord could it be mine (Refrain)

The Jordan river is chilly and cold.
It chills the body but not the soul.
There aint but one train upon this track.
It runs to heaven and then right back (Refrain)

Oh, I have sorrow and I have woe
I have heartaches here below
But while God leads me I’ll never fear
For I know that He is near (Refrain)

Traditional African American Spiritual

Magnifiez avec moi le Seigneur (Magnificat)

Antienne - Magnifiez avec moi le Seigneur , Exaltons tous ensemble son nom.

Versets:

1 - Je bénirai le Seigneur en tout temps. Sa louange sans cesse en ma bouche.

2 - Car c'est en Dieu que mon âme se loue ; Qu'ils jubilent de joie tous les humbles.

3 - Goûtez, voyez comme est bon le Seigneur ; Bienheureux qui en Dieu prend refuge !

4 - Je cherche Dieu : le voici qui répond, Et de toute frayeur me délivre.

5 - Des coeurs brisés le Seigneur Dieu est proche ; De l'angoisse il délivre les humbles.

6 - Au Christ Jésus qui est né de Marie, Rendons gloire et louange éternelles

Texte e musique du Lucien Deiss

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Bring Flowers of the Rarest

Bring flowers of the rarest
bring blossoms the fairest,
from garden and woodland and hillside and dale;
our full hearts are swelling,
our glad voices telling
the praise of the loveliest flower of the vale!

Refrain:
O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today!
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.
O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.

Their lady they name thee,
Their mistress proclaim thee,
Ah, grant that thy children on earth be as true
as long as the bowers
are radiant with flowers,
as long as the azure shall keep its bright hue

Sing gaily in chorus;
the bright angels o'er us
re-echo the strains we begin upon earth;
their harps are repeating
the notes of our greeting,
for Mary herself is the cause of our mirth

O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today!
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.
O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.

Spirit of the Living God

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me (2x)
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me

Composer: Daniel Iverson (1935)

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (Tune: ODE TO JOY)

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing(sometimes chanting) bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.

Historical Information

Words: Henry van Dyke (1907)
Music: ODE TO JOY 87.87 D (Ludwig van Beethoven)