I Wonder As I Wander (Appalachia/USA)

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

Appalachian folk carol, adapted/expanded by John Jacob Niles

Night of Silence

Cold are the people, Winter of life,
We tremble in shadows this cold endless night,
Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping,
Flowers that will echo the sunrise,
Fire of hope is our only warmth,
Weary, its flame will be dying soon.

Voice in the distance, call in the night,
On wind you enfold us you speak of the light,
Gentle on the ear you whisper softly,
Rumors of a dawn so embracing,
Breathless love awaits darkened souls,
Soon will we know of the morning.

Spirit among us, Shine like the star,
Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar,
Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely,
Rising in the warmth of your Son's love,
Star unknowing of night and day,
Spirit we wait for your loving Son.

Composer: Daniel Kantor (1984)

Carol of the Stranger

Peace and grace be to this house
Where all are welcomed in;
Receive the guest, receive this heart:
Tell the Stranger, tell.

Tell the Stranger what you cannot tell
Those who love you and desire your joy:
Tell.

Make tall your walls, make long these beams,
Who once believed alone;
Make wide the circle, feed the fire:
Tell the Silence, tell.

Tell the Silence what you cannot tell
Those who love you and desire your joy.
Tell.

Blessings be upon this place,
Let every wound be healed,
Let every secret, every dream:
Tell the Angel, tell.

Tell the Angel what you cannot tell
Those who love you and desire your joy.
Tell.

Peace and grace be to this house,
All will be returned;
Let every soul be called your own,
Tell the Mystery, tell.

Tell the Mystery what you long to tell
Those who love you and desire your joy.
Tell.

Text: Michael Dennis Browne
Music: Abbie Betinis

Canticle of the Turning (My Soul Cries Out With A Joyful Shout)

My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the one who waits.
You fixed your sight on the servant's plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain:

My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears,
For the dawn draws near,
And the world is about to turn.

Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me.
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn. (Refrain)

From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
These are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn. (Refrain)

Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God's mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror's crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forbears heard
is the promise that holds us bound,
'Til the spear and rod be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around. (Refrain)

Paraphrase of Luke 1:46-58 (Magnificat)

Words: Rory Cooney (1990)
Music: STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN (Irish Traditional Folk Song)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

All Are Welcome (Let Us Build A House) [Marty Haugen]

Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine, and wheat:
a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that free us:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Composer: Marty Haugen (1994)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Lamb of God (Twila Paris)

Your only Son
No sin to hide
But You have sent Him,
From Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God

Your gift of Love
They crucified
They laughed and scorned him as he died
The humble King
They named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God

Chorus:

Oh Lamb of God, Sweet lamb of God
I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God

I was so lost I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be call a lamb of God (Chorus)

Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Chris the Lamb of God

Composer: Twila Paris (1985)

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

As Lovely As The Dawn / Mẹ Đẹp Tươi (Mẹ Maria)

See also the Vietnamese original:  Mẹ Đẹp Tươi

1. As lovely as the dawn
with all beauty you are blest.
More radiant than the moon,
night departs with your caress.

Refrain

Holy Mary, we do bow
for you are set apart;
like the lily, blameless
as the pure of heart.

2. Your fragrance, like a flower,
pierces all creation's guile.
A pure and sinless lifed that
no malice could defile.

3. A humble peasant girl,
yet majestic as a queen.
What treasure, fame or crown
could transcend our high esteem?

4. Unfailing is your love,
like the waves against a shore,
embracing weary hearts,
as a mother feeds the poor.

5. The people of each age
honor you as full of grace,
forever you are loved
by the One whom you embrace.

English translation: Rufino Zaragoza

See also the Vietnamese original:  Mẹ Đẹp Tươi

Mẹ Maria đẹp tươi như bình minh chiếu rạng ngời
Vầng trăng lung linh trời đêm so với mẹ còn kém xa
Con thành tâm kính mừng mẹ mừng mẹ đầy ơn phúc
Lòng khiết trinh như huệ thắm xinh muôn đời hiển vinh

Mẹ như hoa thơm ngàn hương luôn tỏa bay chín tầng trời
Mọi âu lo không hề vương!Ôi xác hồn mẹ sáng tươi
Con thành tâm kính mừng mẹ mừng mẹ đầy ơn phúc
Lòng khiết trinh như huệ thắm xinh muôn đời hiển vinh

Mẹ oai phong nơi tòa cao như đoàn viên tiến vào trần
Mười hai sao thêu triều thiên nhân Đức Mẹ ngời sáng hơn
Con thành tâm kính mừng mẹ mừng mẹ đầy ơn phúc
Lòng khiết trinh như huệ thắm xinh muôn đời hiển vinh

Composer: Kim Long (1965)


See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

This Is The Feast of Victory

Refrain:

This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God? (Refrain)

Power, riches and wisdom and strength,
And honor and blessing and glory are his. (Refrain)

Sing with all the people of God
And join in the hymn of all creation. (Refrain)

Blessing and honor and glory and might
Be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. (Refrain)

For the Lamb who was slain
has begun his reign. Alleluia. (Refrain)

Text: based on Revelation 5. Text (c) Copyright 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship
Tune: FESTIVAL CANTICLE, Irr. By Richard Hillert (1975).

I am risen and behold (Michael Barger)

Antiphon:

I am risen and behold and am with you, Alleluia!
You have placed you hand on me, Alleluia!
O God, how wonderf'lly you know me, Alleluia!

1. O Lord, you search me and you know me.
You know when I sit down and rise up again, Alleluia! (Antiphon)

2. Behold, Lord, you know all things both ancient and new.
You have conceived me, and laid your hand upon me, Alleluia! (Antiphon)

3. Glory be to the Father of Love,
And to the Son, who is risen from the dead,
And to the Spirit giving us new life,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and every shall be, Alleluia! (Antiphon)

Composer: Michael Barger 

Michael Barger grew up in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. His work is highly influenced by Islamic and Byzantine Arabic chant and especially by the Lebanese Byzantine chanter, Sister Marie Keyrouz

Composer's Notes:

The text of I Am Risen is that of the Introit (Entrance chant) of the Roman rite celebration of the Eucharist on Easter day, Resurrexi et adhuc tecum sum, which serves as the antiphon for the chanting of Psalm 139. The composition was inspired by the recording of Resurrexi et adhuc tecum sum on Ensemble Organum's recording,  Chants of the Church of Roman - Byzantine Period. It is devoted to chants of the Church of Rome when most of the popes came from the churches of the Byzantine Empire ( 590-752), coinciding with the rise of the Prophet Muhammad (550-632) and the Umayyad Caliphate (660-750). Liturgies were celebrated with chants in both Greek and Latin. Musically the hymn is in the Mixolydian mode and marked by chords of the ninth.

This Holy Light

Refrain:

Come follow the star,
this holy light!
People, look East,
look to the sky:
Christ, our Savior, is born.

 1. In a world of suffering,
In a world of pain,
Where do we seek answers
to understand our faith?

2. In a world of conflict,
In a world at war,
Where do we seek answers
To the violence we abhor?

3. In a world of hunger
Where all we want is more,
Where do we seek answers
To welcome in the poor?

4. In a world of bloodshed,
In a world of hate,
Where do we seek answers
Before it's all too late?

5. In a world of mystery,
Where no one can be sure,
Where do we seek answers
To open wide our doors?

Composer: Ricky Manalo 

See other songs by Ricky Manalo

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Lord Christ, when first you came to earth (Tune: MIT FREUDEN ZART)

1 Lord Christ, when first you came to earth,
Upon a cross they bound you,
And mocked your saving kingship then
By thorn with which they crowned you;
And still our wrongs may weave you now
New thorns to pierce that steady brow,
And robe of sorrow round you.

2 O wondrous love, which found no room
In life, where sin denied you,
And, doomed to death, must bring to doom
The power which crucified you,
Till not a stone was left on stone,
And all a nation's pride, o'erthrown,
Went down to dust beside you.

3 New advent of the love of Christ,
Shall we again refuse you,
Till in the night of hate and war
We perish as we lose you?
From old unfaith our souls release
To seek the kingdom of your peace
By which alone we choose you.

4 O wounded hands of Jesus, build
In us your new creation;
Our pride is dust, our vaunt is stilled,
We wait your revelation.
O Love that triumphs over loss,
We bring our hearts before your cross;
Come, finish your salvation.

Text: Walter Russell Bowie, 1928
Tune: MIT FREUDEN ZART 87 87 887

Joshua fit de battle (African American Spiritual)

Joshua fit de battle ob Jericho, Jericho, Jericho
Joshua fit de battle ob Jericho
An’ de walls come tumblin’down.

You may talk about yo’ king ob Gideon
You may talk about yo’ man ob Saul
Dere’s none like good ole Joshua
At de battle ob Jerico

Up to de walls ob Jericho
He marched with spear in han’
“Go blow dem ram horns”, Joshua cried,
“Kase de battle am in my han’.”

Den de lam’ ram sheep begin to blow,
Trumpets begin to soun’
Joshua commanded de children to shout
An’ de walls come tumblin’ down
Dat mornin’

Joshua fit the battle ob Jericho, Jericho, Jericho
Joshua fit de battle ob Jericho
An’ de walls come tumblin’down.

Historical Information

Traditional African American Spiritual
 

O Spirit, All Embracing (THAXTED)

1 O Spirit, all-embracing and counselor all-wise,
Unbounded splendor gracing a shoreless sea of skies:
Unfailing is your treasure, unfading your reward;
Surpassing worldly pleasure, the riches you afford.
Come, stream of endless flowing, and rescue us from death;
Come, wind of springtime blowing, and warm us by your breath.

2 O Beauty, ever-blazing in flower, field and face,
You show yourself amazing in unexpected place.
We see you and remember what once our dreams had been;
You fan the glowing ember and kindle hope within.
Come, fire of glory gracious, bless all who trust in you;
Undying flame tenacious, burn in your church anew.

3 Come, passion’s power holy, your insight here impart,
And give your servants lowly an understanding heart
To know your care more clearly when faith and love are tried,
To seek you more sincerely when false ideals have died:
For vision we implore you, for wisdom’s pure delight;
In prayer we come before you to wait upon your light.

Text: Delores Dufner (2001)
Tune: THAXTED 13 13 13 13 13 13, by Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Give Me Jesus (Jeremy Camp)

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise

Refrain:

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

When I am alone,
When I am alone,
When I am alone,
Give me Jesus.

When I come to die,
When I come to die,
When I come to die,
Give me Jesus.

Composer: Jeremy Camp (b. 1978)

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

Perfect Praise (Oh Lord How Excellent!) [Brenda Joyce Moore]

Oh Lord How excellent! How excellent! How excellent!
How excellent is Thy name

There is none like you, none like you, none like you
Jesus excellent is Thy name

In all the earth, in all the earth, in all the earth
Jesus excellent is Thy name

In all the Earth, in all the earth, in all the earth,
Jesus excellent is Thy name

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord
Jesus excellent is Thy name

Composer: Brenda Joyce Moore

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

Walk Together Children

Walk together children
Don' you get weary
Walk together children
Don't you get weary
Oh, talk together children
Don't you get weary
There's a great camp meeting in the promised land

Sing together children
Don' you get weary
Sing together children
Don't you get weary
Oh, shout together children
Don't you get weary
There's a great camp meeting in the promised land

Gwineter mourn and never tire
Mourn and never tire
Mourn and never tire
There's a great camp meeting in the Promised Land

Traditional African American Spiritual

O Beautiful for Spacious Skies (Tune: MATERNA)

O beautiful for spacious skies,
for amber waves of grain,
for purple mountain majesties
above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for heroes proved
in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved,
and mercy more than life!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
confirm thy soul in self-control,
thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for patriot dream
that sees beyond the years
thine alabaster cities gleam,
undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea.


Text: Katherine Lee Bates (1859-1929)
Tune: MATERNA, CMD, by Samuel Augustus Ward (1848-1903)

This is my song, O God of all the nations (Tune: FINLANDIA)

In celebration of Independence Day, 4th July 2013

1. This is my song, O God of all the nations,
A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my sacred shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating,
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

2. My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,
And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too and clover,
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
O hear my song, O God of all the nations,
A song of peace for their land and for mine.

3. This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth's kingdoms:
Thy kingdom come; on earth thy will be done.
Let Christ be lifted up till all shall serve him,
And hearts united learn to live as one.
O hear my prayer, thou God of all the nations;
Myself I give thee, let thy will be done.

Text: vv. 1-2 Lloyd Stone (1912-1993), v.3 Georgia Harkness (1939)
Tune: FINLANDIA 11 10. 11 10. 11 10, by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

God of Our Fathers

In celebration of Independence Day, 4th July 2013

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
leads forth in beauty all the starry band
of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
our grateful songs before thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
in this free land by thee our lot is cast;
be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,
thy word our law, thy paths our chosen way.

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
be thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
thy true religion in our hearts increase,
thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh thy people on their toilsome way,
lead us from night to never-ending day;
fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
and glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.

Words: Daniel Crane Roberts (1876)
Tune: NATIONAL HYMN 10.10.10.10

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