Glory to God: Mass of Glory and Praise

I’m taking a break from AOV NG to work on Paul Mason’s Mass of Glory and Praise.  Of the six recommended mass settings from the Australian Bishops it stands out as being suitable for regular parishes with ordinary musicians and also being interesting.  You can (and should) buy it from here or from the Willow website.

I know this mass has been around for a few years and that it has been revised for the new texts, but since we haven’t ever used it before, I’m approaching it as a new mass.

It didn’t sound like rock music when it was being played and sung at the workshop I attended yesterday, but I figure I may well as well make rock backings for it, since it is meant to be the “contemporary” setting.

The refrain has a interesting choice with “of” getting two syllables, but perhaps that will be the jaunty hook that will cement this in our minds.  It has been interesting looking at how composers are coping with the less than brilliant lyrics they have been given.  These lines of the Gloria clunk badly and have required some ingenuity to be made singable.

Refrain

Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace to people of good will.

Verse 1

We praise you, we bless you,

We adore you, we glorify you,

We give you thanks for your great glory,

Lord God, heavenly King,

O God, almighty Father.

Refrain

Verse 2

Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

Son of the Father,

You take away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us;

You take away the sins of the world,

Receive our prayer;

You are seated at the right hand of the Father,

Have mercy on us.

Refrain

Verse 3

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

Refrain

Amen

 

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11 Responses to Glory to God: Mass of Glory and Praise

  1. Pingback: Our Father – Mass of Glory and Praise | Church Music

  2. Pingback: Penitential Act – Mass of Glory and Praise | Church Music

  3. jay says:

    Hi – This is fantastic. I’m really struggling to make this song musical for our parish.
    Would you mind sharing your score with me, or just a chord lead sheet – greatly appreciated

  4. Erin t hurley says:

    Hi.
    I really like the Mass of glory and praise. I am trying to purchase it. But I can’t seem to purchase it from the liturgical song website. Do you know of another way I can purchase the full score of the Mass of Glory and Praise?
    Thank you,
    Erin

  5. Luke Jensen says:

    Hi Geoff,

    Do you know if the old, pre-2011 version is available anywhere? I’m a seminary student in an independent Catholic denomination and will not be required to use the present Roman Missal. As you point out, the text is often clunky and I won’t be touching it.

    • admin says:

      That’s a great question, Luke.
      I never used the original version and don’t have the sheet music I’m afraid.

      Maybe someone who reads the blog might know, but don’t discount contacting the songwriter directly. Why not use the contact page and ask Paul.
      https://liturgicalsong.com/contact-us

      best of luck

      Geoff

  6. Luke Jensen says:

    Thanks for the advice. I just sent a message, and I’ll report back.

    There definitely was a pre-2011 version set to the old text, but I unfortunately never bought it. As soon as the new missal was introduced, the old setting was removed and doesn’t seem to be available anymore. Most of the bigger music publishers still have their pre-2011 settings for sale to cater to those still using the old texts, like Anglicans, Lutherans, and Old Catholics like me.

  7. Luke Jensen says:

    Hello Geoff,

    Just wanted to update you and any other potentially interested readers, as I said I would.

    Unfortunately, Paul never responded to my message. I received an automated reply immediately after I sent it in early January, so I have every reason to think he should have gotten it, but no one actually followed up with me, not even to say the original version is indeed no longer available.

    That said, if you know of any other way to get in touch with Paul or how colleagues more directly, I’d greatly appreciate it.

    Best wishes for a holy Lent from Dallas, Texas, USA.

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