Lord of the Dance

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced on the moon and the stars and the sun.
I came down from Heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.

Refrain:

'Dance, then, wherever you may be!
I am the Lord of the Dance' said he.
'And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance' said He.

I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came with me and the Dance went on.

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high
And left me there on the cross to die.

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the Devil on your back
They buried my body and they thought I'd gone
But I am the Dance and I still go on.

'They cut me down and I leapt up high:
I am the life that will never, never die!
I'll live in you if you live in me;
I am the Lord of the Dance' said He.

Composer: Sydney Carter

Behold, The Tabernacle of God

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with you,
and the Spirit  God dwelleth within you.
For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
For the love of whom ye do this day celebrate the joys of the temple
with a season of festivity. Alleluia.

Composer: William Harris 

Now the Day is Over

1. Now the day is over,
   Night is drawing nigh,
   Shadows of the evening
   Steal across the sky.
   


2. Jesus, give the weary
   Calm and sweet repose;
   With Thy tend’rest blessing
   May mine eyelids close.


3. Grant to little children
   Visions bright of Thee;
   Guard the sailors tossing
   On the deep, blue sea.


4. Comfort those who suffer,
   Watching late in pain;
   Those who plan some evil
   From their sin restrain.


5. Through the long night watches
   May Thine angels spread
   Their white wings above me,
   Watching round my bed.


6. When the morning wakens,
   Then may I arise
   Pure, and fresh, and sinless
   In Thy holy eyes.

Composer: Joseph Barnby (1868)

How Shall I Sing That Majesty

How Great a Being
Which doth all beings keep.
Thy Knowledge the only Line
To sound so vast a Deep.

Thou art a sea without a shore,
A sun without a sphere,
Thy time is now and ever more,
Thy place is every where.

How shall I sing that majesty,
Which angels do admire?
Let dust in dust and silence lie,
Sing, Sing, Ye Heavenly Choir.

Thou art a sea without a shore.
A Sun without a sphere,
Thy time is now and ever more
Thy place is every where.

How shall I sing that Majesty
Which Angels do Admire?
Let dust in dust and silence lie.
Sing, Sing, Ye Heavenly Choir.

Text: John Mason (1645-1694)

O Lord, Support Us

O Lord, support us all the day long,
until the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done.
Then in thy mercy,
grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest,
and peace at the last.
Amen.

Litany to the Holy Spirit (Music: Peter Hurford)

In the hour of my distress,
When temptations me oppress,
And when I my sins confess,
         Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When I lie within my bed,
Sick in heart and sick in head,
And with doubts discomforted,
         Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the house doth sigh and weep,
And the world is drown'd in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,
         Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

Text: Robert Herrick (1591-1674)
Music: Peter Hurford (b. 1930)

Praise the Spirit in Creation

TUNE I: FINNIAN


TUNE II: JULION


ANTHEM VERSION:



1. Praise the Spirit in creation,
breath of God, life's origin:
Spirit moving on the waters,
quickening worlds to life within,
source of breath to all things breathing,
life in whom all lives begin.

2. Praise the Spirit, close companion
of our inmost thoughts and ways;
who, in showing us God's wonders,
is himself the power to gaze;
and God's will, to those who listen,
by a still small voice conveys.

3. Praise the Spirit, who enlightened
priest and prophets with the word;
his the truth behind the wisdoms
which as yet know not our Lord;
by whose love and power, in Jesus
God himself was seen and heard.

4. Tell of how the ascended Jesus
armed a people for his own;
how a hundred men and women
turned the known world upside down,
to its dark and furthest corners
by the wind of heaven blown.

5. Pray we then, O Lord the Spirit,
praise the Father, praise the Word,
Source, and Truth, and Inspiration,
Trinity in deep accord;
through your voice which speaks within us
we, your creatures call you Lord.

Words: Michael Hewlett (b. 1916)
Tune:
(i) FINNIAN, by Christopher Dearnley (b. 1930)
(ii) JULION 87.87.87, by David Hurd (b. 1950)

For the Beauty of the Earth (John Rutter)

See also: the original hymn version

For the beauty of the earth,
for the beauty of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,

Refrain:

Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light (Refrain)

For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and brain's delight,
for the mystic harmony
linking sense to sound and sight (Refrain)

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild (Refrain)

For each perfect gift of thine
to our race so freely given,
graces human and divine,
flowers of earth and buds of heaven (Refrain)

See also: the original hymn version

Words: Folliot Sandford Pierpoint, 1864
Music: John Rutter

Blessed be the God and Father

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which according to his abundant mercy
hath begotten us again unto a lively hope
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation
ready to be revealed at the last time.

But as he which hath called you is holy,
so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.
Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.

Love one another with a pure heart fervently.
See that ye love one another.
Love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Being born again,
not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible,
by the word of God.

For all flesh is as grass,
and all the glory of man
as the flower of grass.
The grass withereth,
and the flower thereof falleth away.

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
Amen.

Composer: Samuel Sebastian Wesley

King's College Cambridge 2012 Easter Service

PART I:




PART II:



EASTER FROM KING'S: PASSIONTIDE TO EASTER DAY
With the choir of King's College, Cambridge

Music Director Stephen Cleobury
Organ Scholars: Ben-San Lau, Parker Ramsay

Dean: the Rev. Dr. Jeremy Morris
Chaplain: the Rev Richard Lloyd Morgan
Administrator: Janet Copeland

ORDER OF SERVICE

Choir: Amicus Meus "My friend betrayed me with the sign of a kiss"
(Music: Victoria (1548-1611); Words from Tenebrae Responsories)

Choir: Pater Noster "Our Father who art in heaven"
(Music: Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971); Words: The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6))

Reading: Luke 23 "The Crucifixion"

Choir: Crucifixus "He was crucified even for us"
(Music: Antonio Lotti (1667-1740); Words from the Creed)

Reading: Easter Night, Alice Meynell (1847-1922)

Choir: In Paradisum "May the angels lead you into paradise"
Music: Gabriel Fauré, from Requiem; Words liturgical)

Hymn: Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem
(Tune: St Fulbert; Words: Fulbert of Chartres (d 1028)

Reading: John 20 "The risen Christ is seen by Mary"

Choir: This Joyful Eastertide
(Words and Music: Trad. Dutch Carol, arr. Charles Wood (1866-1926))

Choir: Surrexit Dominus "The Lord has truly risen"
(Music and Words: Plainsong, arr. David Briggs (1962-))

Reading: from Kilvert's Diary, Francis Kilvert (1840-1879)

Choir: Bring Us, O Lord God, at our Last Awakening
(Music: William Harris (1883-1973); Words: John Donne (1572-1631))

Choir: Let All the World, in Every Corner, Sing
(Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958); Words: George Herbert (1593-1633))

Prayer and Blessing

Hymn: Jesus Christ is Risen Today (incomplete apologies working to fix)
(Tune: Easter Hymn arr. Stephen Cleobury (1948-);
Words: 14th century from the Compleat Psalmodist, 1749)

Organ: from Finale by Louis Vierne (1870-1937)

O Taste And See (Ralph Vaughan Williams)

O taste and see
how gracious the Lord is.
Blessed is the man
that trusteth in him!


Setting of Psalm 34

Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

The Shadows of the Evening Hours

The shadows of the evening hours fall from the darkening sky;
Upon the fragrance of the flowers the dews of evening lie;
Before Thy throne, O Lord of Heavn, we kneel at close of day;
Look on Thy children from on high, and hear us while we pray.

The sorrows of Thy servants, Lord, O do not now despise,
But let the incense of our prayers before Thy mercy rise.
The brightness of the coming night upon the darkness rolls;
With hopes of future glory, chase the shadows from our souls.

Slowly the rays of daylight fade, so fade within our heart
The hopes in earthly love and joy, that one by one depart.
Slowly the bright stars, one by one, within the heavens shine:
Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in heaven, and trust in things divine.

Let peace, O Lord, Thy peace, O God, upon our souls descend;
From midnight fears and perils, now our trembling hearts defend.
Give us a respite from our toil; calm and subdue our woes.
Through the long day we labor, Lord, O give us now repose.

Text: Adelaide Procter (1862)

Hail! Gladdening Light (Charles Wood)

Hail! gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured
Who is th'immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
Holiest of Holies - Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the Sun's hour of rest;
The lights of evening round us shine;
We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung
With undefiled tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life, alone:
Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own. Amen.

Text: Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν), Greek, late 3rd century, trans. John Keble (1834)
Music: Charles Wood (1912)

In Te Confido (Taizé)

Jesu Christe
In te confido

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

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Tune: Blaenwern)

See also: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Tune: Hyfrydol)

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

See also: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Tune: Hyfrydol)


Historical Information

Text: Charles Wesley, 1747
Tune: BLAENWERN 87.87D

Seputih Bulu Domba (As White As Fleece)

Tak kau lupakan diriku
Kau ingatku adalah debu
Tetapi kau meninggikannya
Di hadapan malaikatmu

Tak kau hapuskan namaku
Dari kitab kehidupanmu
Kau tak malu mengakuinya
Di hadapan Bapa

Refrain:
Kau Allah yang tiada mengingat lagi
Segala kesalahanku yang telah engkau ampuni
Walau dosaku merah bak kain kesumba
Engkau menjadikan ku putih, seputih bulu domba

You do not forget me
You recall that I am dust
But you raise me up
In front of your angels

You do not erase my name
From the book of life
You are not ashame to defend me
Before the Father

Refrain:
You O God no longer remembers
All my sins you have forgiven
Although my sins are as red as scarlet
They shall be as white as fleece

Paraphrase of Isaiah 1:18


Composer: Jonathan Prawira

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

Sungguh Indah Kau Tuhan (You are so Beautiful, O God)

Ku cari wajahMu
Temukan kasihMu
Kau bukan Tuhan yang jauh dariku
Kupanggil namaMu
Kudengar jawabMu
Kau Tuhan yang s’lalu dengar seruan hatiku

Sungguh indah Kau Tuhan
Penuh kasih dan sayang
Kau tempat penghiburan
Bagi setiap hati yang terluka
Sungguh indah Kau Tuhan
Menara perlindungan
Kau sumber kekuatan
Bagi semua orang yang membutuhkan.

I search for your face
To encounter your love
You are not far away from me
I call upon your name
I hear your call
You God always hear the cry of my heart

You are so beautiful O God
Full of love and affection
You are a place of comfort
For every broken heart
You are so beautiful O God
My tower of protection
You are the source of strength
For all those in need.


Composer: Jonathan Prawira

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

The Lord Hears The Cry Of The Poor (Psalm 34)

Refrain

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Blessed be the Lord.

1. I will bless the Lord at all times,
with praise ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord,
who will hear the cry of the poor.

2. Let the lowly hear and be glad:
the Lord listens to their pleas;
and to hearts broken, God is near,
who will hear the cry of the poor.

3. Ev’ry spirit crushed, God will save;
will be ransom for their lives;
will be safe shelter for their fears,
and will hear the cry of the poor.

4. We proclaim your greatness, O God,
your praise ever in our mouth;
ev’ry face brightened in your light,
for you hear the cry of the poor.

Paraphrase of Psalm 34

Composer: John Foley (1978)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Kau Sangat Ku Cinta / Bersyukur Selalu Bagi KasihMu (Franky Sihombing)

Bersyukur selalu
Bagi kasihMu
Di dalam hidupku
Takkan ku ragu
Atas rencanaMu
Tuk masa depanku

S'bagai Bapa yang baik
Takkan pernah Kau melupakanku
S'bagai Bapa yang sangat baik
Takkan pernah Kau meninggalkanku

Ku kan menari dan bersuka
KarnaMu oh Yesusku dan
Ku kan minum airMu
Bagai rusa rindu selalu
Ku hidup dalamMu dan
HidupMu di dalamku
Oh Yesusku....
Kau sangat ku cinta.

Always be grateful
For Your love
In my life
I do not doubt
Your plans
for my future

As a Father who is good
Who will never forget me
As a Father who is always good
Who will never abandon me

I will dance and rejoice
O Jesus
I will drink your living water
Like a deer that is longing for you
I live in You
You live in me
O Jesus
You are my love

Composer: Franky Sihombing

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

When I Needed A Neighbour (Sydney Carter)

1.  When I needed a neighbour
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a neighbour
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
Were you there?

2.  I was hungry and thirsty
Were you there, were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
Were you there?

3. I was cold, I was naked
Were you there, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
Were you there?

4.  When I needed a shelter
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a shelter
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
Were you there?

5.  When I needed a healer
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a healer
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
Were you there?

6.
Wherever you travel
I'll be there, I'll be there.
Wherever you travel
I'll be there.
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
I'll be there.

Composer: Sydney Carter (1915-2004)

Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.
The darkness is no darkness with Thee, but the night is as clear as the day.
The darkness and the light to Thee are both alike.
God is light and with Him is no darkness at all.
Oh let my soul live and it shall praise Thee.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for evermore.

Composer: Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876)

Morning Glory, Starlit Sky

Morning glory, starlit sky,
Soaring music, scholar's truth,
Flight of swallows, autumn leaves,
Memory's treasure, grace of youth:

Open are the gifts of God,
Gifts of love to mind and sense;
Hidden is love's agony,
Love's endeavour, love's expense

Love that gives, gives evermore,
Gives with zeal, with eager hands,
Spares not, keeps not, all outpours,
Ventures all, its all expends.

Drained is love in making full,
Bound in setting others free,
Poor in making many rich,
Weak in giving power to be.

Therefore he who shows us God
Helpless hangs upon the tree;
And the nails and crown of thorns
Tell of what God's love must be.

Here is God, no monarch he,
Throned in easy state to reign;
Here is God, whose arms of love,
Aching, spent, the world sustain.

Text: W.H.Vanstone
Music: Barry Rose