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

Come to me (Gregory Norbet)

Refrain

Come to me all who labour and are heavy burdened,
And I shall give you rest.
Take up my yoke and learn from me,
For I am meek and humble of heart.
And you’ll find rest for your souls,
Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

1. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in need,
Fresh and green are the meadows where he gives me rest.

2. Beside peaceful waters you restore my true self;
There you lead me to walk in the path of new life.

3. Should I be surrounded by the shadows of death,
I will not fear, for you are steadfast in your love.

4. Before my deep hunger you spread out your feast.
My skin you anoint with the richest oil.

5. Pursue me, O God, with your fathomless love,
In your tent let me dwell all the days of my life.

Text: Paraphrase of Psalm 23
Composer: Gregory Norbet (1971, revised text 1994)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Yerusalem Kota Surgawi (Jerusalem, Heavenly City)

Source: Madah Bakti, no. 834 (Indonesia)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.  

Vem, Eu Mostrarei (Come, I will show)

Vem, e eu mostrarei que o meu caminho te leva ao pai
Guiarei os passos teus e junto a ti hei de seguir
Sim, eu irei e saberei como chegar ao fim
De onde vim, aonde vou, por onde irás, irei também

Vem, eu te direi o que ainda estás a procurar
A verdade é como o sol e invadirá teu coração
Sim, eu irei e aprenderei minha razão de ser
Eu creio em ti que crês em mim e a tua luz verei a luza

Vem, e eu te farei da minha vida participar
Viverás em mim aqui, viver em mim é o bem maior
Sim, eu irei e viverei a vida inteira assim
Eternidade é na verdade, o amor vivendo sempre em nós

Vem, que a terra espera quem possa e queira realizar
Com amor, a construção de um mundo novo muito melhor!
Sim, eu irei e levaria teu nome aos meus irmãos
Iremos nós e o teu amor vai construir enfim a paz!

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.  

Recebe, Deus amigo (Receive, O God)

1. Recebe, Deus amigo estes dons que a ti trazemos e felizes,
entre todos a partilha nós faremos.

Refrão:

Ó Deus Pai, a ti trazemos pão e vinho uma vez mais
um só corpo nós seremos com Jesus e pela paz.

2. Recebe, Deus amigo nossos pés e nossos braços
que encontram na unidade o alento pro cansaço.

3. Recebe, Deus amigo os projetos que alimentam
o convívio e o respeito entre os povos que se enfrentam.

4. Recebe, Deus amigo os esforços do teu povo que trabalha com
carinho pra criar um mundo novo.

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

Behold, O God, Our Defender (Herbert Howells)

This introit was originally commissioned for the coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.

Composer: Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

Te Deum (William Walton)

We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.

To thee all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.

The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.
The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee,
the Father, of an infinite majesty; thine honourable, true, and only Son, also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ; thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints, in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine heritage.
Govern them and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify thee, and we worship thy Name ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.

O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.

Originally composed for the coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II

Text: Te Deum
Composer: William Walton (1902-1983)