The Shepherd of Hermas is an apocryphal writing from the early Church. While ultimately not included in the New Testament, it was often read by early Christians because of its powerful allegorical view of the Church as a woman helping the author through life.

Instrumentation: Voice, guitar, double bass
Duration: 2’

One day I saw someone I used to know.
She held all the things I tried to hide.
And, filled with shame,
I turned away

But she said “Don’t let the old sad and darkened days bring you down.

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This reflective song, “As I Have Loved You,” gives voice to Christ’s final prayer for His disciples—a plea for love, peace, and faith even in the face of sorrow. This piece blends Scripture and poetry to create a sacred space for the listener. It speaks to the heart of Holy Week, moments of farewell, and the ever-present promise: “I will never leave you alone.” Suitable for Holy Thursday, funerals, prayer services, and meditative worship.

A collaboration with my friend Dave who lives in Segovia, Spain.

Wholesome Treasures

Demoralized, must break these chains,
bite the hand that feeds the drain.
Let it rain, let it wash our stains.
Find the Healer who will fix our pain.

Suddenly, like a twilight arrow,
souls are bathed, warmed to the marrow.
Silent pleasures, with our Lord.
Wholesome treasures for this accord.

When sad and spent, so tired and bent,
when in the clutch of vanities,
join the ranks of the penitent,
rise to heaven on winged knees.

Captives ransomed, freed by His blood.
Now adapted to this celestial flood... 

Responsorial Psalm 94(95):1-2,6-9 for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;
hail the rock who saves us.
Let us come before him, giving thanks,
with songs let us hail the Lord.

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Come in; let us bow and bend low;

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/4VxEolDCquc

Responsorial psalm in Spanish for 3rd Sunday of Lent, Cycle A. Free download of sheet music at the following link. All the psalm verses are available.

https://insong.org/product/domingo-3-de-cuaresma-a-salmo-94-senor-que-no-seamos-sordos-a-tu-voz/

To get notifications of new psalms each week, please subscribe to our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@InSong

Music © 2019, Anthony Moran, https://insong.org

Dominus proboscis. Dominus proboscis.
Dominus proboscis. Dominus proboscis.

His large nose
senses no mystical realm,
no god, no hope,
no aroma of love.

With dulled senses he stumbles
'cross small divides,
never seizing the day,
never reaching for stars.

He cannot adjust his lifelong habits
to forestall disaster... 

Powerful and dramatic song for Good Friday or can be used in a Tenebrae service. Scored a variety of arrangements. Accessible and appropriate for any church or concert setting.

Psalm 32 Lord let your mercy be on us, for the second Sunday of Lent Year A
March 1 2026

 

1) The Church calls us to  follow you
For forty days  with abstinence
and she decrees a lenten fast       
to heal and save our fragile minds and  hearts.

2) HELP us fast from the sights and sounds
Of the worldly sites that abound
That distract and drag us down
Where subtle half truths and temptations abound

REFRAIN
D.                                           C.         G
!Help us to be more contemplative
G.             D.                                 ^         C
As to to receive what you will to give

After decades singing at St. Mary’s Parish in Akron, Ohio I found myself asking a question I had somehow never needed to ask before: What makes a hymn truly Catholic? That question became the spark for two projects I never expected to write.

The first, What Is a Catholic Hymn?, is a short pastoral guide — available as a downloadable PDF — that helps parish musicians recognize the doctrinal, liturgical, and devotional qualities that give Catholic hymnody its identity.

Sorrowful hymn about the Blessed Virgin Mary when looking upon the body of her Son, Jesus dying on the Cross. Scored for a variety of arrangements. Accessible and appropriate for any church or concert setting. Used especially during Holy Week, Good Friday.

Responsorial Psalm 32(33):4-5,18-20,22 for the 2nd Sunday in Lent Year A - WORDS + CHORDS
Key of E
Capo 4

                         C                                F                C                     G                   F            C
Response - May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

             C                  Dm7    Am      Am7
The word of the Lord is faithful
         F              C                     G
and all his works to be trusted.
            F                 G                    Am   Am7
The Lord loves justice and right
         F              G                            C
and fills the earth with his love.

                         C                                F                C                     G                   F            C
Response - May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

Links to 49 old Catholic hymnals, listed at Corpus Christi Watershed:

Please visit the Corpus Christi Watershed web site for updates. The following list will continue to grow & be updated. Most of these are Catholic hymnals; some are Anglican ones. Many were scanned and made available by Corpus Christi Watershed, others by Google. 

1842 • ENGLISH HYMNS in METER (A. D. Wackerbarth) —74pg 

1848 • HYMNS OF THE HEART (Matthew Bridges) —97pg 

1851 • LYRA CATHOLICA (Edward Caswall) —572pg 

1853 • CATHOLIC HYMNS with ILLUSTRATIONS (Cardinal Wiseman) —64pg 

1854 • THE HYMNAL NOTED (J. M. Neale) —226pg 
        ADDITIONAL   •   Accomp.   •   Words   •   Alt. Versions 

1854 • ORATORY HYMNS and TUNES (Fr. Faber) —202pg 

1850s • THE HYMN of SAINT CASIMIR (Various Translations)...  

Check out the results of Nick Alexander's Top Lenten Hymns:

1. Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days
2. I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say
3. Adoramus Te, Christe
4. There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy
5. The Glory of These Forty Days
6. Forty Days and Forty Nights
7. Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
8. Attende Domine (tie)
9. Rock of Ages (tie)
10. Take Up Thy Cross (tie)

Recommended article: Beyond Ashes by Simcha Fisher:
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/simcha-fisher/beyond-ashes

Based on Isaiah 53, this Holy Week/Good Friday anthem is scored for a variety of arrangements. Accessible and appropriate for any church setting.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/UoDQxICgXDo

Responsorial psalm in Spanish for 2nd Sunday of Lent, Cycle A. Free download of sheet music at the following link. All the psalm verses are available.

https://insong.org/product/domingo-2-de-cuaresma-a-salmo-32-senor-ten-misericordia-de-nosotros/