Author Archives: maddg

Our priest is off for six weeks and all his plans for a locum fell through at the last minute, so we are down to one mass a week until June. Being sensible (and volunteer) church musicians we have organised … Continue reading →

John Bell’s tunes sound traditional, which is not a criticism. When he doesn’t repurpose a folk song he just writes a better one, as in this song about the Christmas story in all its foolishness yet greatness. Wild Goose sell … Continue reading →

The Saturday vigil mass I now play at locally has not had consistent live music for many years. The Sunday mass has a stalwart organist who has kept the flag flying for decades, but she can’t be everywhere. Getting us … Continue reading →

This is another excellent song from the Iona Community that uses an old tune with fresh lyrics, from the collection Heaven Shall Not Wait. It is set to O WALY WALY and covers the life of Christ from birth all … Continue reading →

To recover from too many American hymns I’m going back to Heaven Shall Not Wait from the Iona Community by John Bell and Graham Maule. Bell’s texts are never bland and often surprising and illuminating. The book is for sale … Continue reading →

I have only done a selection of the songs from Never Too Young and I will finish up with this Ken Canedo prayer. It is a slow gospel song that’s sounds like “I Still Call Australia Home” in the introduction, … Continue reading →

This is an old Shaker hymn by Mary Hazard that found it’s way in to Never Too Young. Their arrangement features prominent percussion including shaker, so I hope that wasn’t a misunderstanding. You can hear their arrangement here. While you … Continue reading →

This is the title track from this collection. Written by Carey Landry it is a rockabilly song about youth discipleship. I think most music genres could have a place in liturgy in their appropriate culture, but I think I have … Continue reading →

This is a song from Never Too Young for evangelisation by Curtis Stephan, Jess Manibusan and Sarah Hart. It seems most suited as a solo despite the bridge suggesting call and response between a choir and a soloist. The text … Continue reading →

I know Vogt and Friedman’s songs are often designed for children but this is lovely uplifting and encouraging recessional that has merit beyond young people. The refrain is singable and the verses are meant to be call and response, but … Continue reading →