Go Make a Difference

This is the first of several sending forth (Go! songs) and it is a good one to start with, Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek’s “Go Make a Difference”. (No52 AOV NG)  They are both famous (in the USA) Christian artists and I’ve heard this song as a rocker with massed voices belting it out to great effect.  It presses all the right recessional buttons – uplifting and with a message ringing in our ears as we leave.

The sheet music can be purchased for download at spiritandsong.

Very minor musical point – p160, second line, third verse, there is an unnecessary tie on the notes above “dif-f’rence”.

My backing is more latin than rock- it’s just felt right.  Steve’s more usual arrangement is in the You Tube video.

Refrain
Go make a diff’rence.
We can make a diff’rence.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.
Go make a diff’rence.
We can make a diff’rence.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.

Verse 1

We are the salt of the earth,
called to let the people see
the love of God in you and me.
We are the light of the world,
not to be hidden but be seen.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.

Refrain

Verse 2

We are the hands of Christ
reaching out to those in need,
the face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope;
we are the voice of peace.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.

Refrain

Verse 3

So let your love shine on,
let it shine for all to see.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.
And the spirit of Christ
will be with us as we go.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.

Refrain

Go make a diff’rence in the world.

Go make a diff’rence

In the world.

© Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek, 1997.

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23 Responses to Go Make a Difference

  1. Pingback: Go Make a Difference … Again | Church Music

  2. Harlan Elkins says:

    Is there anyway I can get a copy of your arrangement for my church? I love the latin sound. Thank you for your time and help. Harlan

    • admin says:

      I’m glad you like it, and wouldn’t it be great to hear a real Latin band belt it out in a church.

      I’m unable to get you a copy, for the simple reason that it all Band in a Box really. The style is called Choro 2 and is a Brazilian samba that plays the chords from the song I entered, along with a trumpet soloist. The melody is entered stepwise.

      I’ve gone back and listened to the CD of Angrisano’s version and it full of latin percussion, so I suspect I was lifting that idea from him.

      When I play it in church I just use guitar with capo 3.

      • these lyrics are NOT Roman Catholic- the are self o centric NOT Christo centric at all

        IVE MADE THE LYRICS REAL CATHOLIC
        hope you like them? © Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek, 1997.

        Go Baptize all nations x 4
        we can be faithful and obedient
        to the the Blessed Trinity
        Go Baptize all nations
        of this World
        Verse 1

        We are his flock of sheep
        called to repent and to obey the
        the truth love of God is in his Word verily.
        His light ILLUMINATES the world
        not to be hidden but be seen.
        Go Baptize all nations oer all the
        world.

        Verse 2

        We are his humble flock
        his church is built on rock
        teaching his truth sets us free
        for truth is love, eternally.
        His holy spirit is truth
        we are merely fallen human beings
        holy hope is seen in our Lady
        His voice is perfect and good
        Go Baptize all nations oer the world

        Refrain

        Verse 3

        So let HIS Truth and love
        light his sacred heart
        in his precious blood
        for all to feed
        Go Baptize all nations in the world.
        for His spirit of Truth
        will keep us solid and strong
        for Him do we belong
        so Go Baptize all nations oer the world
        Go other nations to the 1 true faith
        CONVERT and
        in Truth Himself
        BELIEVE

        • admin says:

          G’Day Sharon

          Can’t say I’m a fan of your rewrite. It would be better to do your own songs.

          Would you rewrite St Theresa’s prayer?

          best wishes

          Geoff

          • sharon mccaffrey says:

            you re a cino katholic then- Geoff?
            – a catholic in name only?
            a cafeteria catholic- ie – a dolly mixture- pick n mix protestant?

            My lyric change is based on the GR8 Commission as per 73 sacred scripture and the Word of Jesus Chirst- https://previews.123rf.com/images/chudson374/chudson3741805/chudson374180500038/101148137-therefore-go-and-make-disciples-of-all-nations-baptizing-them-in-the-name-of-the-father-and-of-the-s.jpg

            whereas, this is based on soft girlie boy, high emotions.

            Please see 1 cor 6-9 malakoi males?
            it’s a heavenly warning- to such “men”

            g’day 😉
            May God the Trinity, Father Son/Word and Holy Ghost, truly bless you now with the love of truth
            they perished as they did not love truth
            2 thess 2-11

          • sharon mccaffrey says:

            are you seriously comparing
            go make a difference
            to the work of a Saint ?

            get over yer self
            Geoff
            please 🙂

            in nominee patrii et filii et spiritus sancti
            ave maria
            amen

          • admin says:

            Sharon

            I stand by my suggestion to write your own songs.

            Thank you for your charitable suggestion that I am a cafeteria catholic and I should “get over myself”.

            many thanks

            Geoff

          • Ryan says:

            Haha. Considering the syllable structure isn’t even close to the melody of the real song and each verse can’t can’t seem to stick to the same amount of lines, I’d say this “rewrite” would have to be a totally different song with each verse having a different tune.

  3. unknown says:

    i love this song it can even be used for girl scouts!

  4. Jen says:

    I can’t stand this song at Mass. Way to cheesy and there shouldn’t be a rock song at Mass even for the Recessional it’s a bit much for church.

    • admin says:

      G’Day Jen.

      One person’s too cheesy is another’s apposite text. Are you not the “salt of the earth”, Jen or the “hands of Christ” in this world. St Theresa hopes you are I suspect.

      There is a lamentable eurocentrism to our music in Church. What we now loosely call sacred music was merely the secular music of another age co-opted by the church and old enough now that no-one remembers that organ music was originally popular entertainment and frowned upon by the Church. Besides the Psalms call for stringed instruments, not organs.

      This popular music called Rock comes from Black, Jewish and Scots-Irish sources, and has much to recommend it. Certainly in Australia rock music means more to people than church organ music (unsuited to hot climates where pipe organs suffer in any case).

      They say when a symbol has no meaning to a people it is dead and the same could be said for some of the music we play.

      I must try and record the way I play this song as I could never get the right feel on Band in a Box.

      Thank you for commenting, Jen.

    • sharon mccaffrey says:

      Well done Jen

      it is NOT Catholic

      it is soft sentimental protestantism – in ethos ethics and essence

  5. Mary says:

    Love the 3rd and 4th paragraphs of your comment – I think I’m going to borrow the phrase “lamentable eurocentrism”!

  6. Joan Cook says:

    Thank you for these wonderful lyrics that could fit any faith! We sang it at our Newman Center (college student center) last Sunday. It is a wonderful, simple
    song anyone could use as inspiration throughout the week!

  7. Debbie Adkins says:

    Is there a soundtrack available?

  8. Cassidy Rethman says:

    When was this song composed?

  9. “The idea of a better Church, created by ourselves, is in fact a proposal of the devil, with which he wants to lead us away from the living God, through a deceitful logic by which we are too easily duped.”

    — Pope Benedict XVI

  10. Who holds the copyright? Who holds the license? How much would it cost to use this? A friend of mine and are developing a podcast interviewing ordinary people who have made a difference. Its part of a project focussing on hearing all voices.

    • admin says:

      G’Day Michael

      It is covered by One Licence and this is their details for the song:

      Go Make a Difference #82988
      Type: Words and Music; First Line: Go make a difference

      Text: Based on Matthew 5:13-16. Text and music © 1997, Steve Angrisano and Thomas N. Tomaszek. Published by Spirit & Song®, a division of OCP. All rights reserved.

      Contributors: Steve Angrisano, Tom Tomaszek

      I suggest you contact OCP, One Licence or the authors directly.

      cheers

      Geoff

  11. Steve Rhinesmith says:

    Perhaps before judging this song from a doctrinal standpoint you folks might want to consider what Jesus would think of the ideas expressed.

  12. dana says:

    We will be singing this as the recessional on Sunday. I am looking forward to it!

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