Author Archives: maddg

Shirley Murray has taken this difficult saying of Jesus and crafted a song of unity. It is from the collection Alleluia Aotearoa. With the mother/brother rhyme a given, her words become an avalanche of outrageous rhymes: stigma/enigma; relate us/status, etc. … Continue reading →

I’m nearing the end of a very long series of Shirley Murray songs from Alleluia Aotearoa. She did a lot of Christmas songs that are worthy of consideration. This has simple meaningful lyrics that are available at Hope Publishing, along … Continue reading →

Those playing along at home will note that I have left out the essential song of mourning by Shirley Murray called, “When Human Voices Cannot Sing” AA 151. This is because it showed up in other hymnals and I have … Continue reading →

This is a Shirley Murray that takes us from Advent to Easter with a call to action from Alleluia Aotearoa. The challenging text is at Hope Publishing, along with the sheet music for Colin Gibson’s setting, EXPECTATION. My backing is … Continue reading →

I have already blogged the Colin Gibson setting of the Shirley Murray text honouring God in creation because it is in CWBII. That setting is also in Alleluia Aotearoa. Hope Publishing have the text and two further settings. AI HU … Continue reading →

In the northern hemisphere this would be an Easter song, but for Shirley Murray writing in New Zealand it is a spring carol celebrating new life in the Church. It is 140 in Alleluia Aotearoa. The text and Colin Gibson‘s … Continue reading →

This is a Shirley Murray prayer in song asking forgiveness for our failings. It would suit Lent or a second Rite of Reconciliation. It is one of the many songs with her words in Alleluia Aotearoa. The words and sheet … Continue reading →

Continuing my survey of songs in Alleluia Aotearoa with words by Shirley Murray, this is a glorious prayer of commitment and gratitude. The text is at Hope Publishing. AA sets is to TALAVERA TERRACE by Colin Gibson who has fun … Continue reading →

This is a simple effective text about the Holy Spirit from Shirley Murray that can be found in Alleluia Aotearoa. The words are at Hope Publishing. Both Hope and AA suggest Nigel Eastgate‘s SONG TO THE SPIRIT as their setting. … Continue reading →

This is a Shirley Murray text from Alleluia Aotearoa for Pentecost. The text is at Hope Publishing where, like AA, it is set to WEAVER by Colin Gibson. Hidden at Hope is also a setting by Allen Pote, which I … Continue reading →