Heralds of Christ (NATIONAL HYMN)

1. Heralds of Christ, who bear the King's commands,
immortal tidings in your mortal hands,
pass on and carry swift the news you bring;
make straight, make straight the highway of the King.

2. Through desert ways, dark fen, and deep morass,
through jungles, sluggish seas, and mountain pass,
build now the road, and falter not, nor stay;
prepare across the earth the King's highway.

3. Lord, give us faith and strength the road to build,
to see the promise of the day fulfilled,
when war shall be no more, and strife shall cease
upon the highway of the Prince of Peace.

Text: Laura S. Copenhaver (1868-1941)
Tune: NATIONAL HYMN, 10 10.10 10

All That I Am / Magnificat (David Haas)

Refrain:

All that I am sings of the God who brings new life to birth in me.
My spirit soars on the wings of my Lord.

1. My soul gives glory to the Lord, rejoicing in my saving God,
who looks upon me in my state, and all the world will call me blest;
For God works marvels in my sight, and holy, holy is God's name.

2. God's mercy is from age to age, on those who follow in fear;
Whose arm is power and strength, and scatters all the proud of heart;
Who casts the mighty from their thrones and raises up the lowly ones!

3. God fills the starving with good things, the rich are left with empty hands;
Protecting all the faithful ones, remembering Israel with mercy,
the promise known to those before and to their children for ever!

Composer: David Haas

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

How shall I sing to God (David Haas)

1 How shall I sing to God when life is filled with gladness,
loving and birth, wonder and worth?
I'll sing from the heart, thankfully receiving, joyful in believing.
This is my song, I'll sign it with love.

2 How shall I sing to God when life is filled with bleakness,
empty and chill, breaking my will?
I'll sing through my pain, angrily or aching, crying or complaining
This is my song, I'll sign it with love

3 How shall I sing to God and tell my Savior's story:
passover bread, life from the dead?
I'll sing with my life, witnessing and giving, risking and forgiving.
This is my song, I'll sign it with love.

Text: Brian Wren (1986)
Tune: David Haas

Exsultet (Liam Lawton)

1. Now to the throne of God in exultation,
High heaven’s hosts, your proud hosannas sing!
Sound in the height the trumpet of salvation,
Waking the day to greet its Lord and King!

Refrain:

Rejoice, rejoice,
Gone forever is the night!
Rejoice, rejoice,
Risen is the Lord of light!

2. Now let the earth be filled with songs of gladness!
Christ is our Dawn, and banished is our night!
Now let all tongues acclaim the King of ages,
Rising as Lord of everlasting life!

3.Sing in your joy, O holy Church, our Mother:
Darkest of nights becomes your day of days!
Now, in the dawn of never ending glory,
Bring to your Lord the homage of your praise!

4. Bless with your love this feast of light, O Father!
Shine on the world, O world’s true Light, God’s Son!
Touch with your fire, O God the Holy Spirit,
Tongues to proclaim the triumph Christ has won!

Composer: Liam Lawton (2001)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

キリストよみがえりぬ (テゼ / Taizé)

See also the original (Latin) version: Surrexit Christus (Taizé)

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

Il est bon de proclamer au matin ton amour (Taizé)

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

Join in the Dance (Dan Shutte)

Refrain
Join in the dance of the earth's jubilation!
This is the feast of the love of God.
Shout from the heights to the ends of creation:
Jesus the Savior is risen from the grave!

1. Wake, O people; sleep no longer:
greet the breaking day!
Christ, Redeemer, Lamb and Lion,
turns the night away! (Refrain)

2. All creation, like a mother,
labors to give birth.
Soon the pain will be forgotten,
joy for all the earth! (Refrain)

3. Now our shame becomes our glory
on this holy tree.
Now the reign of death is ended;
now we are set free! (Refrain)

4. None on earth, no prince or power,
neither death nor life,
nothing now can ever part us
from the love of Christ! (Refrain)

5. Love's triumphant day of vict'ry
heaven opens wide.
On the tree of hope and glory
death itself has died! (Refrain)

6. Christ forever, Lord of ages,
Love beyond our dreams:
Christ, our hope of heaven's glory,
all that yet will be! (Refrain)

Composer: Dan Schutte (b. 1947)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

The Church of Christ, In Every Age

The church of Christ in every age,
beset by change but Spirit-led,
must claim and test its heritage
and keep on rising from the dead.

Across the world, across the street,
the victims of injustice cry
for shelter and for bread to eat,
and never live until they die.

The let the servant church arise,
a caring church that longs to be
a partner in Christ's sacrifice,
and clothed in Christ's humanity.

For he alone, whose blood was shed,
can cure the fever in our blood,
and teach us how to share our bread
and feed the starving multitude.

We have no mission but to serve
in full obedience to our Lord:
to care for all, without reserve,
and spread his liberating word.

Words: Fred Pratt Green (1969)
Tune: WAREHAM LM, by William Knapp (1738)

Lord, You Give The Great Commission

Lord, you give the great commission:
"Heal the sick and preach the word."
Lest the Church neglect its mission
and the Gospel go unheard,
help us witness to your purpose
with renewed integrity;
with the Spirit's gifts empower us
for the work of ministry.

Lord, you call us to your service:
"In my name baptize and teach."
That the world may trust your promise,
life abundant meant for each,
give us all new fervor,
draw us closer in community;
with the Spirit's gifts empower us
for the work of ministry.

Lord, you show us love's true measure:
"Father, what they do, forgive."
Yet we hoard as private treasure
all that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead us
to a just society;
with the Spirit's gifts empower us
for the work of ministry.

Lord, you bless with words assuring:
"I am with you to the end."
Faith and hope and love restoring,
may we serve as you intend,
and, amid the cares that claim us,
hold in mind eternity;
with the Spirit's gifts empower us
for the work of ministry.

Text: Jeffrey Rowthorn (1978)
Tune: ABBOT'S LEIGH 87.87D, by Cyril V. Taylor (1941)

Sois la Semilla

Sois la semilla que ha de crecer,
sois la estrella que ha de brillar,
sois levadura, sois grano de sal,
antorcha que ha de alumbrar.
Sois la mañana que vuelve a nacer,
sois espiga que empieza a granar.
Sois aguijón y caricia a la vez,
testigos que voy a enviar.

Estribillo:

Id, amigos, por el mundo,
anunciando el amor,
mensajeros de la vida,
de la paz y el perdón.
Sed, amigos, los testigos
de mi Resurrección.
Id llevando mi presencia.
¡Con vosotros estoy!

Sois una llama que ha de encender
resplandores de fe y caridad.
Sois los pastores que han de guiar
al mundo por sendas de paz.
Sois los amigos que quise escoger,
sois palabra que intento gritar.
Sois reino nuevo que empieza a engendrar
justicia, amor y verdad. (Estribillo)

Sois fuego y savia que vine a traer,
sois la ola que agita la mar.
La levadura pequeña de ayer
fermenta la masa del pan.
Una ciudad no se puede esconder,
ni los montes se han de ocultar.
En vuestras obras que buscan el bien
los hombres al Padre verán. (Estribillo)

Composer: Cesáreo Gabaraín (1979)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Lead On, O King Eternal

Lead on, O King eternal,
the day of march has come;
henceforth in fields of conquest
thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
thy grace has made us strong;
and now, O King eternal,
we lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King eternal,
till sin's fierce war shall cease,
and holiness shall whisper
the sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords loud clashing,
nor roll of stirring drums;
with deeds of love and mercy
the heavenly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King eternal,
we follow, not with fears,
for gladness breaks like morning
where'er thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted o'er us,
we journey in its light;
the crown awaits the conquest;
lead on, O God of might.

Text: Ernest W. Shurtleff (1887)
Tune: LANCASHIRE, 76.76 D, by Henry T. Smart (1835)

Onward, Christian Soldiers

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!

Refrain:

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise. (Refrain)

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity. (Refrain)

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail. (Refrain)

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing. (Refrain)

Background Information (Wikipedia)

Text: Sabine Baring-Gould (1864)
Tune: ST. GERTRUDE, 65.65 D with Refrain, by Arthur Seymour Sullivan (1871)

O Zion, Haste

1. O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
to tell to all the world that God is light,
that he who made all nations is not willing
one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.

Refrain:

Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.

2. Behold how many thousands still are lying
bound in the darksome prisonhouse of sin,
with none to tell them of the Savior's dying,
or of the life he died for them to win. (Refrain)

3. Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation
that God, in whom they live and move, is love;
tell how he stooped to save his lost creation,
and died on earth that we might live above. (Refrain)

4. Give of thine own to bear the message glorious;
give of thy wealth to speed them on their way;
pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious;
O Zion, haste to bring the brighter day. (Refrain)

Text: Mary A. Thompson (1894)
Tune: TIDINGS, 11 10.11 10 with Refrain, by James Walch (1875)

We've A Story To Tell To The Nations

We've a story to tell to the nations,
that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy,
a story of peace and light,
a story of peace and light.

Refrain:

For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright;
and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
the kingdom of love and light.

We've a song to be sung to the nations,
that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
a song that shall conquer evil
and shatter the spear and sword,
and shatter the spear and sword. (Refrain)

We've a message to give to the nations,
that the Lord who reigneth above
hath sent us his Son to save us,
and show us that God is love,
and show us that God is love. (Refrain)

We've a Savior to show to the nations,
who the path of sorrow hath trod,
that all of the world's great peoples
might come to the truth of God,
might come to the truth of God. (Refrain)

Composer: H. Ernest Nichol (1896)
Tune: MESSAGE, 10.8.87 with Refrain

Christ For The World We Sing (Tune: ITALIAN HYMN)

Christ for the world we sing,
the world to Christ we bring,
with loving zeal;
the poor, and them that mourn,
the faint and overborne,
sinsick and sorrow-worn,
whom Christ doth heal.

Christ for the world we sing,
the world to Christ we bring,
with fervent prayer;
the wayward and the lost,
by restless passions tossed,
redeemed at countless cost,
from dark despair.

Christ for the world we sing,
the world to Christ we bring,
with one accord;
with us the work to share,
with us reproach to dare,
with us the cross to bear,
for Christ our Lord.

Christ for the world we sing,
the world to Christ we bring,
with joyful song;
the newborn souls, whose days,
reclaimed from error's ways,
inspired with hope and praise,
to Christ belong.

Text: Samuel Wolcott (1869)
Tune: ITALIAN HYMN, 664.6664, by Felice de Giardini (1769)

I'll Praise My Maker While I've Breath

I'll praise my Maker while I've breath,
and when my voice is lost in death,
praise shall employ my nobler powers;
my days of praise shall ne'er be past,
while life, and thought, and being last,
or immortality endures.

Why should I make a man my trust?
Princes must die and turn to dust;
vain is the help of flesh and blood:
their breath departs, their pomp, and power,
and thoughts, all vanish in an hour,
nor can they make their promise good.

Happy the man whose hopes rely
on Israel's God: he made the sky,
and earth, and seas, with all their train;
his truth for ever stands secure,
he saves th'oppressed, he feeds the poor,
and none shall find his promise vain.

The Lord has eyes to give the blind;
the Lord supports the sinking mind;
he sends the laboring conscience peace;
he helps the stranger in distress,
the widow, and the fatherless,
and grants the prisoner sweet release.

He loves his saints, he knows them well,
but turns the wicked down to hell;
thy God, O Zion! ever reigns:
Let every tongue, let every age,
in this exalted work engage;
praise him in everlasting strains.

I'll praise him while he lends me breath,
and when my voice is lost in death,
praise shall employ my nobler powers;
my days of praise shall ne'er be past,
while life, and thought, and being last,
or immortality endures.

Paraphrase of Psalm 146

Words: Isaac Watts, 1719
Tune: OLD 113TH, 888.888, attributed to Matthäus Greiter (1525)

Malo! Malo! Thanks be to God!

Refrain:
Malo! Malo! Thanks be to God! / Malo! Malo! Thanks be to God!
Obrigado! Alleluia! / Obrigado! Alleluia!
¡Gracias! Kam sa ham nida! / ¡Gracias! Kam sa ham nida!
Malo! Malo! Thanks be to God! / Malo! Malo! Thanks be to God!

Si Yu’us maa’se!
Terima kasih!
Maraming salamat!
Danke schön!
Dziekuje!
We thank you, Lord! (Refrain)

Mèsi bokou!
Xie xie!
Arigato!
Grazie!
Cám on!
We thank you, Lord! (Refrain)

(from Missa del Mundo)

Composer: Jesse Manibusan (1993)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Surrexit Christus (Taizé)

English Verses:

1. All you heavens bless the Lord, Surrexit Christus, Alleluia!
stars of the heavens bless the Lord. Cantate Domino, Alleluia!

2. Sun and moon bless the Lord, Surrexit Christus, Alleluia!
and you night and day bless the Lord. Cantate Domino, Alleluia!

3. Frost and cold bless the Lord, Surrexit Christus, Alleluia!
ice and snow bless the Lord. Cantate Domino, Alleluia!

4. Fire and heat bless the Lord, Surrexit Christus, Alleluia!
and you light and darkness bless the Lord. Cantate Domino, Alleluia!

5. Spirits and souls of the just bless the Lord, Surrexit Christus, Alleluia!
Saints and the humble hearted bless the Lord. Cantate Domino, Alleluia!

6. Give thanks to the Lord for God is good, Surrexit Christus, Alleluia!
For God's love has no end. Cantate Domino, Alleluia!

7. The Lord is my strength, the Lord is my song, Surrexit Christus, Alleluia!
He has been my Saviour, Cantate Domino, Alleluia!

8. I shall not die, I shall live, Surrexit Christus, Alelluia!
I shall live and recount his deeds! Cantate Domino, Alleluia!

See also:

• Chinese (Cantonese) version
• Japanese version

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

L'Esprit de Dieu repose sur moi (France)

Refrain:

L'Esprit de Dieu repose sur moi,
L'Esprit de Dieu m'a consacré,
L'Esprit de Dieu m'a envoyé proclamer la paix, la joie.

L'Esprit de Dieu m'a choisi
Pour étendre le Règne du Christ parmi les nations,
Pour proclamer la Bonne Nouvelle à ses pauvres.
J'exulte de joie en Dieu, mon Sauveur! (Refrain)

L'Esprit de Dieu m'a choisi
Pour étendre le Règne du Christ parmi les nations,
Pour consoler les coeurs accablés de souffrance.
J'exulte de joie en Dieu, mon Sauveur! (Refrain)

L'Esprit de Dieu m'a choisi
Pour étendre le Règne du Christ parmi les nations,
Pour accueillir le Pauvre qui pleure et qui peine.
J'exulte de joie en Dieu, mon Sauveur! (Refrain)

L'Esprit de Dieu m'a choisi
Pour étendre le Règne du Christ parmi les nations,
Pour annoncer la grâce de la délivrance.
J'exulte de joie en Dieu, mon Sauveur! (Refrain)

L'Esprit de Dieu m'a choisi
Pour étendre le règne du Christ parmi les nations,
Pour célébrer sa gloire parmi tous les peuples.
J'exulte de joie en Dieu, mon Sauveur! (Refrain)

Composer: Lucien Deiss (1921-2007)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.