Hymns, songs and carols

Link to Christian Top 1000 website

The church's music today is a gloriously wide, rich and continuous spectrum both of musical styles and of literary types; the text of a particular item might tempt us to label it (say) a "hymn", but a modern music style partnering it might suggest "worship song".

The material here generally uses substantial, structured texts. But the music is across a wide range of styles. So to circumvent misplaced preconceptions, labels such as "hymn" and "worship song" are avoided.

See also the main list of psalms and the songs for solo and group use, several of which may be used congregationally.

The settings include the text, sometimes by other copyright owners. Some have kindly agreed for their material to be available here; in such cases the PDF link asks you to note, accept and abide by their copyright.



Text Score Audio Occasions Comments
Texts by Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926- )
As water to the thirsty PDF MIDI General, communion  
Be present, Spirit of the Lord PDF MIDI Pentecost Tune style: classical.
Be present, Spirit of the Lord PDF MIDI Pentecost Tune style: jazz.
Bless the Lord as day departs PDF MIDI Evening Tune may be used classically or as a song.
Choirs of angels, tell abroad PDF MIDI Christmas  
Come and see where Jesus lay PDF (Eb/Gb)
PDF (D/F)
MIDI (Eb/Gb)
MIDI (D/F)
Easter Either congregational or solo/group introit.
Come now with awe PDF MIDI Christmas, Epiphany Written because a suggested Finlandia pairing seems unconvincing. There is also a choir setting of this text to a different tune.
From the night of ages waking PDF MIDI Easter, general Setting written for St. Paul's, Haswell, Co. Durham: church extension.
Give thanks to God on high PDF (SATB)
PDF (unison)
MIDI (SATB)
MIDI (unison)
Dedication, saints days  
God is King! The Lord is reigning PDF MIDI   Based on Psalm 93.
Here is the centre PDF MIDI Christmas, Epiphany  
Here on the threshold of a new beginning PDF MIDI Renewal; anninversary; dedication For Revd. Stephanie Watson and parishes of Chilton and Cornforth, Co. Durham.
How silent waits the listening earth PDF MIDI Christmas  
In our darkness light has shone, Alleluia! PDF MIDI Christmas Optional descant.
O God whose thoughts are not as ours PDF MIDI   Descant included.
Our God and Father bless PDF MIDI   Based on Benedictus.
Rejoice in God, my heart PDF MIDI   Based on Psalm 111
Soft the evening shadows fall PDF MIDI Christmas Optional double descants. Published: The Carol Book (RSCM).
The heavens are singing PDF MIDI   Based on Isaiah 44 and 55
The light of glory breaks PDF MIDI Christmas  
This day above all days PDF MIDI Easter, general  
To Christ our King PDF MIDI   Setting written to celebrate the marriage of Mark Pritchard and Jan Bigland.
We believe in God the Father PDF MIDI Common Worship metrical (8 7 8 7 D) version of the creed. This setting, with optional descant, has a music-group bias. Was scheduled for publication in Music for Common Worship, RSCM, Autumn 2000.
We believe in God the Father PDF MIDI See comments above. This setting of the text is hymn-like, with optional descant. Tune in top 16 of St. Paul's Cathedral Millennium Hymn Competition, 1999.
With all who in this hallowed place PDF MIDI dedication, renewal Commissioned by St John's Church, Nevilles Cross, Durham, for centenary (1996). Tune published in Wesley Music for the Millennium.
Texts by Brian Wren (1936- )
Christ is risen! via email MIDI Easter.  
Ever-journeying Friend via email MIDI Meeting for worship; commitment, baptism, confirmation. Setting written to celebrate the baptism of Daniel Lee.
To Christ our hearts now given via email MIDI Meeting for worship; moving on, departure. Setting written to mark the move of Revd. Michael Rusk from Durham to Leicester.
We are your people via email MIDI    
Texts by Martin Leckebusch (1962- )
As we meet in your presence PDF MIDI Dedication, mission, preaching, Bible Words and music written for the re-ordering of St. John's, Nevilles Cross.
Christ is our freedom via email MIDI Baptism Setting written to celebrate the baptism of Jamie Song.
For riches of salvation via email MIDI    
How are we to sing our songs to you? Score (Eb)
Lyrics
OHP
MIDI Trouble, sorrow, lament, terrorism, natural disaster. Has been used in response to Asian tsunami of December 2004 and during services following the London bombings of July 2005. Published: Worship Live, Stainer & Bell, Autumn 2005
You have won me with a love via email MIDI   Setting written to celebrate the wedding of Ken Chamberlain and Anne Ridley.
Texts by Rosalind Brown
O God of feast and festival PDF MIDI Eucharist, hospitality, service.  
Texts by Michael Sadgrove
Great Lord and God Score
Words/tune
MIDI Marriage. Words and music written to celebrate the wedding of Rachel Firth and Andrew Watson.
Texts by Richard of Chichester (1197-1253)
Day by day, dear Lord PDF MIDI   Published in Singing the Faith, UK Methodist hymnal, 2011
Texts by George Herbert (1593-1633)
Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life PDF MIDI General  
Texts by Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908)
Earth was waiting, spent and restless PDF MIDI Christmas, candlemas. An unusually dark Christmas text; a useful antidote to some simplistic saccharin carols.
Texts by Andrew Pratt (1948- )
In the beginning God played with the planets © S&B   Creation; environment. Published: Sound Bytes, Stainer & Bell, 1999.
Long ago God spoke to people © S&B     Published: Sound Bytes, Stainer & Bell, 1999.
We come by many different paths © S&B MIDI Diversity, unity. Written for St. John's and St. Margaret's, Durham. Available to CCLI holders via email. All other enquiries to Stainer & Bell.
What if the Babel consequence © S&B MIDI Churches, computers and I.T. Written for Revd. Stoker Wilson as Durham Diocesan I.T. Adviser. Available to CCLI holders via email. All other enquiries to Stainer & Bell.
Texts by Michael Perry (1942-1996)
Heal me, hands of God via email     There is also an unaccompanied choral setting.
Be gracious to me, Lord via email MIDI   From Psalm 57. Tune flexible for leading traditionally (organ, SATB) or with music-group.
Texts by John Bennett
So free, so bright PDF MIDI Pentecost  
Texts by Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Come, thou long-expected Jesus PDF MIDI Advent, general. A brighter, more positive, tune than the more usual Cross of Jesus. Tune Hill Meadows published in Wesley Music for the Millennium.
He loved, and gave himself for me PDF MIDI Passiontide, Holy Week, Good Friday Tune Consicliffe published in Wesley Music for the Millennium.
Jesus, the name high over all PDF MIDI   Tune Whitwell published in Wesley Music for the Millennium.
O for a heart to praise my God PDF MIDI Forgiveness, grace. Tune Nevilles Cross published in Wesley Music for the Millennium.
Thou, Lord, art rich in grace to all PDF MIDI   Tune Nevilles Cross published in Wesley Music for the Millennium.
Texts by David Lee (1956- )
O magnify the Lord with me (I will bless the Lord at all times) PDF MIDI   From Psalm 34
How lovely is your dwelling place PDF MIDI   From Psalm 84
Come let us sing for joy to the Lord PDF MIDI   From Psalm 95
I give you thanks PDF MIDI   From Psalm 138. Subconscious borrowing from Rachmaninov who had in turn ...
God indeed is my deliverer PDF MIDI   From Isaiah 12: 2-6, and coloured with the liturgical (also Isaiah) Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy) text.
You were in the form of God PDF MIDI   From Philippians 2: 5-11. Published: Worship Live, Stainer & Bell, Autumn 2003
Great and wonderful are your deeds and works PDF MIDI   From Revelation 15: 3-4. Published: Spring Harvest 2004 songbook.

Copyright © David Lee
 
E-mail: t.d.lee@servicemusic.org.uk
WWW: http://www.servicemusic.org.uk/
Last updated: 1st August 2013