Blessings on the King (AOV 1/104)

Michael Lynch, who wrote this song is part of the OCP stable. He wrote the more famous (around these parts anyway), “Bread , Blessed and Broken”, but much more importantly he is Ukelele Mike Lynch, which makes him all things important and wonderful in the world. (gotta love ukes) Listen to the snippet on AOV to get the idea. The text is Matt 21 and, yes, it does appear to have been written for schoolchildren, but that does not mean it has no other use.  Each verse has a liturgical use, eg Palm Sunday, Easter, Christmas etc and rather than sing the whole song, I suspect picking the appropriate verse is the best idea.

I wish I’d known this earlier that he was Ukelele Mike, because this song might have sounded better with a ukelele backing. Instead I just build more instruments each verse, but, if nothing else, the backing may help you learn the song. I set it at 130 bpm.

Refrain

Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessings on the King!

Hosanna! Hosanna! Son of God, we sing!

Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessings on the King!

We praise you, we bless you, our gifts to you we bring.

 

Verse 1

Your people are gathered on this holy day,

To lay down before you, branches on your way.

We sing of your glory as you enter in.

Come now, Lord Jesus, wash away our sin.

 

Refrain

Verse 2

O Lord, you are King now, King of all the earth.

The stars in the heavens shine on our rebirth.

Your death and your rising gives to us new life.

No longer in darkness, now we have your light.

 

Refrain

Verse 3

You are our brother, brother and friend,

Sent by the Father, all our hearts to mend.

We pray now, Lord Jesus, as you come today.

Please guide us with you as you go your way.

 

Refrain

Verse 4

The meek and the lowly gather now to sing;

To sing out their praises to the humble King.

Your is the Kingdom of peace and joy and love.

The Father has sent us His Spirit from above.

 

Refrain

© Raven Music 1976, 1982.