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Contemplate My Passion

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1 ) Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground
It remains just a grain of wheat 
But if it dies it produces much fruit
And gives life to the hungry
  
2) Whoever loves his life in this world
Will lose  it
And whoever hates his life in this world
Will preserve it for eternal Life

REFRAIN
Lord help us spend more time alone with our Father
With you dear lord our God holy brother

While Dark And Gloomy Nights

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1) While dark and gloomy night conceals
the colors of all things on earth, 
we praise you in the night with songs                 
And for that eternal day we long

O Sanctissima in English: Servant of the Word - a Marian Hymn

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This cover of the English adaptation of the O Sanctissima is recorded in a faster tempo. With such spritely mood, church musicians can use it as a lively opening or sending forth hymn. Here it is. The handwritten chord sheet is attached.

Advent Song: The Whole World is Waiting for Love

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This is a great Advent song because it is easy to sing and play on guitar. This cover by the Catholic Church Hymns is recorded in a slightly faster tempo using the chord D - which is lighter on fingers on guitar compared to Eb when it was originally composed. It is also smart lengthwise, not too long for most parts of the mass. Handwritten chords attached.

 

A Lively Mary's Magnificat - My Spirit Sings

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I just wanted to play this spritely hymn of Mary's Magnificat simply through an acoustic guitar. So here is: just me and my nylon-stringed guitar. It is Marian and would suit during the month of the Holy Rosary, feast of the Immaculate Conception, and other Marian feasts but it will equally enliven the music of the mass if used as an entrance or recessional song. It is also easy to play on guitar. I have attached the handwritten chord sheet here. 

Communion Hymn - Our Supper Invitation

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Composed by Australian Kevin Bates, 'Our Supper Invitation' communicates the essence of the Eucharist in its three verses. Because of that, this communion hymn can be used at mass for any season or occasion in the liturgical calendar. It also very easy to play on guitar. The key of D makes this hymn very accessible for the whole congregation. Chord sheet attached.
 

Always IN Your Care

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1 ) Father we're always in your care
Help us be ever more aware
That through  all trials and test
You know for us what is best

2 ) Father you will all to be saved       

A Great Offertory Hymn - We Gather At Your Table

This song for the preparation of gifts at mass is so easy on guitar that I tend to play it more often. Also, the tune is easy to follow and the length just suits the timing required at the altar before the Eucharistic prayers start. 

Andrew Chinn has done a great job in composing this song. One thing I can comment on, though. It is quite high for the congregation, especially on an early Sunday mass. He had originally composed it on A. I made an effort of recording it on E. So here, it is:

God of My Salvation in C (Low Key)

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I enjoy listening to the congregation singing during mass as I accompany them with my guitar strumming. It breaks my heart when they stop singing because the pitch is so high, they can't reach it. So here's the bass or baritone version of this beloved Norbet hymn. Enjoy! Transposed, handwritten chord sheet is attached. 

 

The Lord is My Shepherd by Brian Boniwell in Low Key of D

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This is basically the bass or baritone version of a Boniwell hymn. Composed in G, but most congregations could barely make it to F, let alone G. So, I tried playing it on C and it does received good participation from my parish. My transposed, handwritten chord sheet is attached.

Dear Father

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1 ) Dear Father - Dear Father
In your wisdom you strengthen us
Like gold that's been tested in fire
You purify our self centered desires                          
And inflame our deepest desire for you

2 ) Dear Father - Dear Lord
You allow us to be tempted 
Like yourself in the garden tested

Psalm 79 The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel for 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

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The music of this Psalm is based on the composition of Brother Michael Herry, FMS from Maristmusic.org. His music used the key of Bb - too difficult for many guitarist like myself. So, I transposed it to D major. Here it is. Enjoy! See chord sheet attached. 

 

HYMN OF THE MONTH – October: O Queen of the Holy Rosary

October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, and for my Hymn of the Month feature, I’ve highlighted a true gem of Catholic devotional music: "O Queen of the Holy Rosary".   

With lyrics written in 1882 by convert Emily Mary Shapcote, this text became a staple of Catholic schools and parishes for generations. Interestingly, church musicians over the years paired it with ten different traditional melodies—ranging from community-anonymous settings to compositions by notable prelates and organists like Archbishop Joseph Schrembs and S. Constantino Yon.   

I’ve put together a comprehensive history of the hymn, complete with historical hymnal scans, background on the composers, and audio files for the various tune settings so music directors can listen and compare.   

Take a look and listen here: https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/o-queen-of-the-holy-rosary/

Help

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Instrumentation: Voice, organ
Duration: 1'15"

When the world seems to drown You out
Help us to hear

When we start to lose sight of You
Help us to see

For days we feel like giving up
Help us to try

When we stop short of what You want
Help us become

Psalm 139

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O Lord, how wonderful is your wisdom,
So far beyond my understanding.

Lord, you search me and  know me,
you know my resting and my rising,
You discern my purpose from afar
You mark when I walk or lie down,

Responsorial Psalm 24 Remember your mercies O Lord

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From Psalm 24, this responsorial Psalm for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time is composed by Bro. Michael Herry, FMS in Australia. The Dm key makes the tune solemn and emotive for a prayerful acclamation of God's love and mercy to those you fear Him. 

Lyrics and chords in the video. Cover by yours truly.

You Created Us Free

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1 )In love you created us free
To be loved by you and love to be

The  pure joy of life
Lived among everyone

 2) The world is getting so cold  

New hymn for Advent - Drop Down You Highest Heavens

The hymn text is drawn from the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, specifically the prayers and scriptural selections for the Advent Time Mass of "The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Annunciation of the Lord." The text is not merely about the Annunciation as a private moment in Nazareth. It repeatedly emphasizes Christ's royal identity:

"wear the regal crown"
"a noble Son"
"The Savior, great Emmanuel"
"the high and Holy One"

The opening paraphrase comes from Rorate caeli ("Drop down, you highest heavens"). 

I have set the text to the tune of ST. THEODULPH (All Glory, Laud, and Honor), I am looking at this tune through the lens of Christ's entry into the world through the virginal womb as a parallel to His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Both events reveal the coming King, though one in humility and the other in public acclaim. Yet I wonder whether the tune's strong Palm Sunday associations might lead some congregations to think first of Holy Week rather than the mystery of the Incarnation? 

For that reason, I have also considered AURELIA ("The Church's One Foundation"), I like the processional strength of this tune and because it doesn't carry the seasonal associations like ST.THEODULPH does.

As always your thoughts and comments are appreciated. 

The Annunciation of the Lord
Title: Drop Down, You Highest Heavens
Meter: 76.76 D
Tune: ST. THEODULPH (All Glory, Laud, and Honor) or AURELIA (The Church’s One Foundation)

Verse 1
"Drop down, you highest heavens, 
And rain the Just One down; 
Let earth bring forth the Savior 
To wear the regal crown!" 
The Lord has sent His angel
To Galilee's green land, 
To tell how human nature 
Is shaped by God's own hand.

Verse 2
From David's house a Virgin 
Had found the Lord's high grace; 
Though troubled by the greeting, 
She brought relief to race. 
"Behold, you shall conceive Him, 
And bear a noble Son; 
The Savior, great Emmanuel, 
The high and Holy One."

Verse 3
The Virgin heard with pure faith 
The secret Word decreed, 
That Christ among the peoples 
Should come for human need.
The Spirit's power o'ershadowed 
Her pure and spotless shrine, 
Fulfilling Israel's long hope 
In flesh that is divine.

Verse 4 (Doxology)
To God the Father glory, 
To Christ, the Word made flesh, 
To Holy Spirit praise be, 
Who makes our world afresh. 
O source of our salvation, 
Blest Trinity we raise 
With all the ranks of angels 
An endless hymn of praise.

Canticle of Creation by Dan Schutte in lower key (E)

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This beautiful song from Dan Schutte is just too high for some congregation. A few notes down will really give access to a majority of church singers. So here it is in E. It was originally composed in G. 

 

The handwritten transposed chords are attached in this post. Happy singing.

Help Us Be

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Lord without you nothing can we do 
But with you  we can do what you will us to
Lord with you nothing is impossible
So you make us capable to do
All you will  all.  us do  

Where there is hatred
Help us bring your love
Where there is injury
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