Top Catholic Songs – share, learn, promote

CHORUS
Finding my ground with you, my Lord.
When my heart is heavy in life
Carry my cross with you, Christ
Light up my life with burden of the world.

VERSE
Through suffering with you on the cross
You help me to carry my own cross
In my life so much trouble sins
Forgive me, my own sin upon the cross.

VERSE
I am too fall on my knees
Just as you, Christ, felt on your knees
On the way you carried the cross to Calvary
On my way of my life on earth.

VERSE
Rise me up upon the cross
As you are being rise on the cross
Forgive my sins as I am forgiving others
Together we seek for the cross.

I am trying to encourage participation by members of this site. Perhaps some significant structural changes are needed in the way posts and comments areas are presented. Perhaps it needs to be more like a Facebook interface. Not sure. I know that people experience Internet overload and "fatigue." My hope is that members here would make collaboration a priority. Maybe a live chat feed would engage people. 

Here is an example of songwriting collaboration: I helped Asiansa09 with his English translation of a prayer he learned as a child.

I like to post photos and 1-minute videos at Instagram. Instagram is a nice model of social networking. 

However, here at TCS, we need to dig deep into Catholic music making and spend some time reflecting, sharing and helping each other. We have a Forum area being neglected. 

Your suggestions for enlivening this site are most welcome!

In Christ,
Richard

See finished song here:
topcatholicsongs.com/enchristment-nguyen-schletty

CHORUS
I am on my knees
My eyes focus on you in your tabonacle
My heart close to you my Lord, Jesus Christ
In the moment of encharistment.

VERSE
My God, my Christ, whom present in my heart
I praise you, oh Lord, I worship you
In your present at the tabonacle
For me to be with you forever more.

VERSE
My God, my Christ, whom present in my mind
I pray with Mother Mary for virginity
And for others to receive your graces
For me to have faith in you throughout my life.

VERSE
My God, my Christ, whom present in the church
I pray for mom and dad to live a faithful life
Upon the Lord, Jesus Christ, in heaven with the Father
And loves brothers and sisters as self.

Here is the result of a collaboration done in two days between me, Dan vi Nguyen (user asiansa09) and André van Haren. Dan's original post is here – you can see how the song progressed.

4/29/2017: A piano-guitar-voice score (PDF file) has been added to the end of this story. It is free for you to download. I am grateful to my colleague, composer André van Haren, for doing an engraving (music score) of his piano arrangement using Sibelius.

5/1/2017: I changed "I see blood" to "I saw blood." It sounded too much like "icy blood." I also decided to sing "I saw blood and water flowing" as a connected phrase. There was previously too much space in the middle of the phrase. This works out well to offset the vocal harmonies which now now provide counterpoint (polyphony). I also worked hard to thin out the mix in Apple Logic Pro. I had built up a wall of sound when I first added the piano track.

5/2/2017: I have replaced the 5-page score with a compact 2-page version (a PDF file currently available for free download). 

5/2/2017: I have recorded a different version of the song more closely based on Dan's original lyrics. It is chant styled: topcatholicsongs.com/node/903#comment-9622

5/10/2017: If you earlier downloaded free the sheet music attached to this post, please note that a revised version was posted today. A word was missing from the lyrics. I also tweaked the timing of syllables on a few sung phrases.

5/14/2017: I recorded a video at St. Mary's last night and posted it below.

5/14/2017: One of the rules of songwriting is to write, rewrite, rewrite. This evening, I changed the first line of verse 4 from "Christ knows our grief, he knows our woes" to "For us he died. For us he rose." It seems to flow better and feel better in the context of that last verse. 

God's Gift to All the World

(based on the messages to St. Faustina from Jesus)

 

[chorus] 

G      Em              G        Em

 I saw blood and water flowing

         Bm       C           G

from the heart of Christ, our Lord.

C       Am    Bm          Em

 Divine mercy: His love bestowing,

      C       D  D7   G       

God's gift to all the world.

 

 

 C              D            G

1. He draws the humble to Himself,

C          D                 Em

 illumines us with truth and grace.

Bm                         Em

 The wellspring of eternal health:

    Am                        D     D7            

The Father, Son and Spirit we embrace.

 

 

 C             D                 G

2. He gives Himself to those who gaze

C         D                Em

 upon His wounds made glorious.

Bm                                 Em

 Red blood, white water, brilliant rays:

Am                                 D  D7

See His love poured out for all of us.

 

 

 C           D               G

3. For us he died. For us he rose!

C            D                  Em

 From out of darkness comes new light!

Bm                              Em

Look to Jesus Christ, you weary souls.

Am                           D     D7

Let your lives be joyful and bright!

 

 

© 2017, Dan Vi Nguyen and Richard Schletty Read Full Story >>>

Details here: St. James Music Press $10 Anthem Program

May 10, 2017  - Our $10 Anthem Program 

Here are this week's $10 anthems. Another "summer choir" hit, and an SAB anthem that is just lovely!

Don't forget, if you have a summer choir, we have a whole collection of one-rehearsal anthems. (Look under "Collections.")

You may download these two without becoming a subscriber. If you choose to use one or both, the cost is just $10 (per-anthem please...) You can send us a check. Then make whatever copies you need and put it in your library.

Yes, it's the honor system. We trust you. Ten bucks.

Here are this week's offerings.

Remember - you'll have to log-in to view, listen and download these.

Sing a New Song - Michael Praetorius, arr.
Three-part canon with keyboard accompaniment. Easy, one rehearsal anthem that sounds great. A joyful arrangement of the famous Praetorius canon. Perfect for summer singing! Text based on Psalm 96.

Beautiful Savior - Robert Lee
SAB and piano or organ. A lovely, new setting of the hymn text "Fairest Lord Jesus." Tender and contemporary and one of our all-time favorites.

As a subscriber to SJMP, of course you can...  Read Full Story >>>

I was inspired by lyrics posted by TCS member asiansa09, in her blog post here at TCS: "For the Love of Humanity." Dan was hoping that someone could set her lyrics to music. I took on the challenge. 

Initially, I composed an upbeat Folk-Gospel styled song which greatly modified Dan's lyrics. It is called God's Gift to All the World and is posted here.

Next, I created a chant-styled song that is much more faithful to Dan's original lyrics and is totally different than the Folk-Gospel version. Listen to it below. I sing along with my dulcimer.

Let me know what you like and do not like. I appreciate the feedback. Let me know if you would like notated sheet music for this. 

For the Love of Humanity

CHORUS
I have seen water and blood 
flowing out from the heart of Christ.
Blessing my brothers and sisters 
for all generations.

VERSE
A message from Christ to Sister Faustina
for the love of humanity:
Christ wants to illuminate the way for us
and draw every soul to his heart.
His image is a fountain of...  Read Full Story >>>

CHORUS
I have seen water and blood flow from Christ's heart
The light radiate from the heart of our savior
To our brothers and sisters for generations.

VERSE
Messages from Christ to sister Faustina
For the love of humanity
Christ wants to illuminate his love for all
To draw every heart of mankind to himself
That he will show his mercy for every soul
Wherever Christ pictures displace.

VERSE
Message from Christ to sister Faustina
For the love of humanity
Christ shows himself to every soul
To whom sees the picture of Christ
Radian with his heart of light red and white
Represent blood and water flows from his heart.

VERSE
Message from Christ to sister Faustina
For the love of humanity
Christ will save souls who comes for his mercy
He shows souls who is sinful will see the lights of salvation
Upon his heart he shows his mercy for humanity
The flows of water and blood from Christ.

I'm a Catholic musician/composer from Brazil and I'd like to promote my instrumental music inspired by the Seven Sacraments. My site is antonioresende.com

My music written in various genres can be found here: antonioresende.com/music

Highlights of Antonio Resende's Sacramentum album:

• CD release: antonioresende.com/sacramentum-full-release-en/
• An interview on an English Catholic Web Radio called "Heaven's Road FM": soundcloud.com/antonioresende/heavensroadfminterview
• Sacramentum album at iTunes
• Sacramentum album at Amazon Music

Sacramentum: Music Inspired by the Seven Sacraments

“Sacramentum” is a deepening musical experience inspired by the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. From Baptism to Matrimony, each track takes the listener through a prayerful journey within the unfathomable Divine Mysteries of the Sacraments. If there is a word that can sum up “Sacramentum,” it’s "Hope." Let the blessed journey begin!

History of the Sacramentum project

I am a dedicated layman member of the Comunidade Raízes de Jessé (Community of Alliance), whose charisma is "Awakening the Love of God in man", currently serving as minister of music. I also Serve the Parish Paróquia Santa Clara de Assis as minister of music and recently as a minister of the Eucharist. I work with composition / production of soundtracks for film, TV and music in general.

In late 2014, I wanted to release a song I had made dedicated to the Archangel Raphael. Composed in Epic / Film style, I thought it would be a good idea to release it on Youtube. So, I started researching various channels. I found that this style is very common not only in cinema but also in today's games. Readily, some channels volunteered to create videos with this song, but seeing the finished videos, I had a surprise. There was a clear tendency to something very dark or even satanic, in many of these channels, judging by the aesthetics and symbolism of the images.

I thought then to create a project with religious songs in the same style, with the initial aim of evangelizing the public. I put this project in prayer and a few months later came the inspiration to make songs inspired by the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. The style would be epic and instrumental. A soundtrack to meditate about the Sacraments. For example...

READ MORE HERE: Sacramentum Project

  Read Full Story >>>

Details here: St. James Music Press $10 Anthem Program

April 19, 2017  - Our $10 Anthem Program 

Happy Easter! Now that the intensity of Holy Week has passed, we hope that you'll give our $10 anthem program a look!

We're still featuring two pieces each week that you may download without becoming a subscriber. If you choose to use one or both, the cost is just $10 (per-anthem please...) You can send us a check. Then make whatever copies you need and put it in your library.

THIS WEEK - we've added a handbell piece!

Yes, it's the honor system. We trust you. Ten bucks.

Here are this week's offerings.

Remember - you'll have to log-in to view, listen, and download these.

Come Down, O Love Divine - Roland Martin
This is the Pentecost anthem you've been waiting for! Fire in the organ part and a singable, easy choral setting incorporating Veni Creator Spiritus. SATB and organ. Now OPTIONAL brass and timpani parts, make this a stunning anthem for the Birthday of the Church! 

Wondrous Carillon - Mark Schweizer
For 3 octave handbells. Level 3. Includes the tunes Deo Gracias (O Wondrous Type, O Vision Fair) and What Wondrous Love Is This. Engaging effects including an optional C3 - Singing Bell note.

As a subscriber to SJMP, of course you can...  Read Full Story >>>

Refrain:
On a cross You gave Your life
A ransom for my sin
A sacrifice amazing
New life for me to win
Jesus, let me comprehend
The gratitude I owe
For the great love You give me
And Graces galore

Sometimes I fail to listen
To Your voice in my heart
My selfish mind then reckons
And justifies my thoughts
Lord, I do regret my every sinful deed
Please, please forgive me
Humbly I plead

Refrain

Often I fail to spurn
the tempter’s call
Help me to see the burn
Of my nonsensical fall
Strengthen my resolve to live within Your love
Grant me Your blessings
From heaven above

Refrain

CCLI Australia Song No. 7024178

A meditation on the suffering, death and rising of Jesus Christ with a harmonica rendition of "Were You There?" Audio and images recorded at the Church of Saint Mark, Saint Paul, Minnesota. These oil-on-canvas Stations of the Cross were restored at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Funding provided by Saint Mark's Council of Catholic Women. Intro text and harmonica by Chris Engelmann. Photography, sound and video production by Schletty...  Read Full Story >>>

Here are two renditions of "Psalm 22: My God, My God," a responsorial psalm composed by Paul F. Page.

1) Psalm 22: My God, My God (Paul F. Page) – a richly layered demo by Paul with piano, woodwinds and two voices

2) Psalm 22: My God, My God (Paul F. Page) – a barebones demo by Richard Schletty with solo voice and arpeggiated guitar

Free sheet music and audio file links are below.

See numerous other free original liturgical music compositions by Paul F. Page – for  solo voice, chorus, piano and organ) Read Full Story >>>

Published 3 April 2017 by Jeff Ostrowski at Corpus Christi Watershed:

This year's Symposium will be spectacular, and the response—from all over the world—has been overwhelming. The musical program, which is close to being finalized, almost seems a direct response to an article I wrote last January entitled True Vs. False Diversity. We have a bewildering variety of styles, and new works by famous composers will be revealed.

The Credo, arranged by Chaumonot, uses 14th-century polyphony by a Catholic priest named Guillaume de Machaut, who died in 1377AD:

    * *  PDF Download • CREDO based on Guillaume de Machaut

Fr. Machaut’s harmonies begin at the 0:28 marker:

TWO YOUNG LADIES IN HIGH SCHOOL, Sarah and Jacqueline, generously helped record the rehearsal videos for these 14th-century harmonies. Sing through each individual line (cf. #5984) because the power is revealed “horizontally.” We created the rehearsal videos to help choirmasters, who have such a difficult vocation! Just the other day, I was pondering how... 

Read full story at Corpus Christi Watershed

Details here: St. James Music Press $10 Anthem Program

Here are two $10 anthems for the week. You may download these without becoming a subscriber. If you choose to use one or both, the cost is $10 (per-anthem please...) Just send them a check. Then make whatever copies you need and put it in your library.

Pentecost, the birthday of the church! Yes, a bit ahead of time, but we know you like to plan ahead.

You have to log-in to view, listen, and download these.