I’ve looked at lot of Australian Catholic Songwriters, but I haven’t focused on John Burland yet. Like Michael Mangan, he is perhaps best known for his work with young people and schools, yet his songs are also fine for adults and assemblies in general. Australia seems to have a knack for popular hymn writers for schools who also are appropriate for a wider audience.
I have blogged some of his songs already:
“Come to the Table”, for example, is a song for Eucharist that we have used for many years. I think it is an excellent example of a hymn tune with enough variation to be memorable but still singable. It is in AOV NG 33. I play it capo 3 for convenience. The first two choruses and verses exhibit a corporate liturgical voice, with the build to the key change showing a different musical structure and a switch to the voice of God for two lines. The key change makes sense as the elevation of our voices after the encounter with God in the Eucharist. Even with the key change it doesn’t go above C. None of his songs are in CWB II, but he would be a good exemplar for contemporary song – OK he’s been going since the 1990s but that is still somewhat contemporary.
All this is preliminary to looking at his new collection, “Gathered As Your People Lord”. There are five songs written for liturgy and it is very much not just for young people.
The title track is an impressive gathering hymn. It is a unifying song in preparation for Eucharist. The text is by Burland and inspired by Matt 18:20, John 14:6, 1 John 4:9-12 and Psalm 149:1,5. The music a collaboration between him and Stephen Leiweke.
John Burland provides lyrics at his website and all his CDs and music books can be purchased using the order form. The digital download for this collection is only $A10.
My backing is a waltz rather than the 6/8 specified in the music, but 6/8 in BIAB always tends Celtic which wasn’t needed here.
Chorus
Gathered as your people, Lord, one body in your love,
Gathered as your people, Lord, one body in your love,
We are called by name we are here to proclaim
Your Word that brings life to us all.
Gathered as your people Lord to worship your holy name.
1 Gathered in God’s love, each of us so beloved.
That God’s only Son Jesus died for us, then rose to bring us new life.
Chorus
2 Gathered in your name, your promise remains the same.
“For where two or three gather in my name I will be there with you.”
Chorus
Bridge
One people standing so strong. One people singing the song.
One people standing so strong. One people singing the song of our faith.
Instrumental
3 Gathered in this place, your Spirit fills us with grace,
With your Word Lord bringing truth for us, your Word lighting our way.
Chorus
… to worship your holy name.
ⓒ 2021 John Burland and Stephen Leiweke