Hymn of Promise (Natalie Sleeth)

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Composer: Natalie Sleeth (1986)

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

Burial Service (William Croft)

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord :
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shalt stand
at the latter day upon the earth.
And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I see God:
whom I shall see for myself,
and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.

We brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;
blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live,
and is full of misery.
He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower;
he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.
In the midst of life we are in death:
of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord,
who for our sins art justly displeased?
Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty,
O holy and most merciful Saviour,
deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.

I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me,
Write,
From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord:
even so saith the Spirit:
for they rest from their labours.
Amen.

Music score (PDF): Source 1 or Source 2

Composer: William Croft (1678-1727)

In Paradisum (Fauré)

In memory of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, 15 April 2013















In paradisum deducant te Angeli;
in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres,
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.
Chorus angelorum te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.

May angels lead you into paradise;
upon your arrival, may the martyrs receive you 
and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem. 
May the ranks of angels receive you, 
and with Lazarus, once the poor man, may you have eternal rest.

Historical Information: In Paradisum

Music: from the Requiem, by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)

Pie Jesu (Duruflé)

In memory of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, 15 April 2013 

Background information on Pie Jesu

Composer: Maurice Duruflé (1947)

Pie Jesu (Ricky Manalo)

In memory of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, 15 April 2013 







Background information on Pie Jesu

Composer: Ricky Manalo (1990)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

The Cross of Love II - May the Voice of Angel Chorus / Song of Farewell (Rufino Zarazoga)

In memory of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, 15 April 2013




May the voice of angel chorus
lift your soul to God’s embrace.
May the martyrs come to welcome you
and saints prepare a place
where all sorrows and all burdens
melt before our Savior’s face,
who with love
did walk the Cross of Love.

May the Gentle Shepherd lead you
as you welcome Sister Death.
May the arms of Abraham
enfold your soul upon his breast.
In Jerusalem eternal,
holy city, holy rest;
you’ll find love, that walked the Cross of Love.

May the Lord bless and keep you
as your journey is complete.
May the face of God come shine on you,
God’s gracious light increase.
May the Holy One with kindness
look on you
and give you peace,  give you love,
to walk the Cross of Love.

See also alternate version: The Cross of Love - May the Lord bless and keep you (Rufino Zaragoza)

Text: Paraphrase of In Paradisum
Music: Rufino Zaragoza

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.  

The Cross of Love I - May the Lord bless and keep you / Ðường tình yêu (Rufino Zaragoza)

1. May the Lord bless and keep you
till your journey is complete.
May the face of God come shine on you;
God’s gracious light increase.
May the Holy One with kindness
look on you and give you peace, give you love,
to walk the Cross of Love.

2. May your heart hold creation,
all of nature do embrace.
May your pilgrimage on holy ground
awaken you to grace.
May the lowly and forgotten
show our Savior’s hidden face, found with love.
O walk the Cross of Love.

3. May your steps form a pathway
for the kingdom to appear.
May your course hold firm with constant truth
enduring doubt and fear.
May each sunrise find you eager
for the day’s an op’ning mirror of God’s love;
so walk the Cross of Love.

4. May the Lord bless and keep you
till your journey is complete.
May the face of God come shine on you;
God’s gracious light increase.
May the Holy One with kindness
look on you and give you peace, give you love,
to walk the Cross of Love.

See also alternate version: The Cross of Love - May the Voice of Angel Chorus / Song of Farewell (Rufino Zaragoza)

Composer: Rufino Zaragoza

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.  

Pie Jesu (Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Sempiternam
Sempiternam
Requiem

Background Information (Wikipedia)

Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber (1985)

Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble (Marty Haugen)

Refrain:

Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
Be with me, Lord, I pray.

1. You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord Most High,
who abide in the shadow of our God,
say to the Lord, "My refuge and fortress,
the God in whom I trust."

2. No evil shall befall you, no pain come near,
for the angels stand close by your side,
guarding you always and bearing you gently,
watching over your life.

3. Those who cling to the Lord live secure in God's love;
lifted high those who trust in God's name.
Call on the Lord, who will never forsake you,
God will bring you salvation and joy.

Text: Psalm 91
Music: Marty Haugen (1980)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

Take Him, Earth, For Cherishing

Take him, earth, for cherishing
To thy tender breast receive him.
Body of a man I bring thee,
Noble even in its ruin.

Once was this a spirit's dwelling,
By the breath of God created.
High the heart that here was beating,
Christ the prince of all its living.

Guard him well, the dead I give thee,
Not unmindful of his creature
Shall He ask it: He who made it
Symbol of His mystery.

Comes the hour God hath appointed
To fulfill the hope of men,
Then must thou, in very fashion,
What I give, return again.

Body of a man I bring thee.
Not though ancient time decaying
Wear away these bones to sand,
Ashes that a man might treasure
In the hollow of his hand:

Not though wandering winds and idle winds,
Drifting through the empty sky,
Scatter dust was nerve and sinew,
Is it given to man to die.

Once again the shining road
Leads to ample Paradise;
Open are the woods again,
That the Serpent lost for men.

Take, O take him, mighty Leader,
Take again thy servant's soul.
Grave his name, and pour the fragrant
Balm upon the icy stone.
Take him, Earth, for cherishing,
To they tender breast receive him.
Body of a man I bring thee,
Noble in its ruin.

By the breath of God created.
Christ the prince of all its living.

Take him earth, for cherishing.

Composer: Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (Psalm 23)

My Shepherd will supply my need:
Jehovah is His Name;
in pastures fresh he makes me feed,
beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
when I forsake his ways,
and leads me, for his mercy's sake,
in paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death
his presence is my stay;
one word of his supporting grace
drives all my fears away.
His hand, in sight of all my foes,
doth still my table spread;
my cup with blessings overflows,
his oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God
attend me all my days;
O may thy house be my abode,
and all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
while others go and come;
no more a stranger, nor a guest,
but like a child at home.

Paraphrase of Psalm 23

Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Tune: RESIGNATION, CMD, American folk melody

The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want (Psalm 23)

The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want.
he makes me down to lie
in pastures green; he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness,
even for his own Name's sake.

Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
yet will I fear no ill;
for thou art with me; and thy rod
and staff my comfort still.

My table thou hast furnished
in presence of my foes;
my head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me;
and in God's house forevermore
my dwelling place shall be.

Paraphrase of Psalm 23

Words: Francis Rowe (1650)
Tune: Crimond, CM

Abide With Me

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:
when other helpers fail and comforts flee,
help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour;
what but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's dark sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Historical information

Text: Henry Francis Lyte, 1847
Tune: EVENTIDE 10.10.10.10, by William Henry Monk (1861)

Pie Jesu / In Paradisum (Fauré)

I.

Pie Jesu Domine,
dona eis requiem. (repeat 2x)
Pie Jesu Domine,
dona eis requiem sempiternam.

II.

In paradisum deducant te Angeli;
in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres,
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.
Chorus angelorum te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.

Historical Information:

• Pie Jesu
• In Paradisum

Music: from the Requiem, by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)

On Eagle's Wings (Michael Joncas)

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in His shadow for life,
say to the Lord: "My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!"

Refrain:

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear:
under His wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield. (Refrain)

You need not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day;
though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come. (Refrain)

For to His angels He's given a command
to guard you in all of your ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone. (Refrain)

Paraphrase of Psalm 91
Composer: Jan Michael Joncas (1979).

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Psalm 23: Shepherd Me, O God (Marty Haugen)

Refrain:

Shepherd me, O God,
beyond my wants,
beyond my fears,
from death into life.

God is my shepherd,
so nothing shall I want,
I rest in the meadows
of faithfulness and love,
I walk by the quiet waters of peace. (Refrain)

Gently you raise me
and heal my weary soul,
you lead me by pathways
of righteousness and truth,
my spirit shall sing
the music of your name. (Refrain)

Though I should wander
the valley of death,
I fear no evil,
for you are at my side,
your rod and your staff,
my comfort and my hope. (Refrain)

You have set me a banquet of love
in the face of hatred,
crowning me with love
beyond my pow’r to hold. (Refrain)

Surely your kindness and mercy
follow me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of my God
forevermore. (Refrain)

Setting of Psalm 23 (Dominus regit me).

Words & Music: Marty Haugen (b. 1950)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Psalm 23: My Shepherd is the Lord (Gelineau)

Antiphon: My shepherd is the Lord, nothing indeed shall I want.

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where you give me repose.
Near restful waters you lead me,
to revive my drooping spirit. (Antiphon)

You guide me along the right path;
you are true to your name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort. (Antiphon)

You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. (Antiphon)

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord's own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever. (Antiphon)

Words: Psalm 23 (Dominus regit me), English translation by The Grail (1963)
Music: Joseph Gelineau (1920-2008)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Be Not Afraid (Bob Dufford)

You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.

Refrain:

Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side, know that
I am with you through it all. (Refrain)

Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked men insult and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you! (Refrain)

Composer: Bob Dufford (1943)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (USA)

AN INTERVIEW WITH THOMAS DORSEY:



Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I’m weak, Lord I’m worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Background information (Wikipedia)

Composer: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899-1993)

Nearer, My God To Thee

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

There let the way appear steps unto heav'n;
All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Then with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upwards I fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Background historical information (Wikipedia)

Words: Sarah Flower Adams (1805–1848)
Music: BETHANY, by Lowell Mason (1792-1872)