This is a recessional from John Burland‘s album from 2019, All Are Welcome Here, if your parish can cope with mid tempo rock music in a liturgical context. It is written with another of his frequent collaborators, Stephen Leiweke. The text is fine as long as we are leaving lifted up by the mass we have just attended.
I would have to take it down from F to D to cope with the held high notes in the chorus – well they are high for me. It has a fair old range in the chorus with which to contend, but the verse has a three note melody reminiscent of many rock songs, that even I can manage.
It has an elongated bridge which is fine as a performance piece and for large special school masses, but with some assemblies a long recessional is asking for trouble.
My backing is slightly more rocked up than his version.
Verse 1
Will you be my witness? will you be my light?
Will you be my voice? lighting up the night.
Burning with the spirit, every heart ablaze.
Singing out the Gospel, every voice in praise.Chorus
Now go, now go.
Go out and tell the world.
Let every nation hear my voice.
Now go, now go.
Go out and live my Word.
Let every nation know my love.
Now go, Now go.Verse 2
Called to serve your neighbour humbly in faith.
The meek and the lowly see God’s face.
The power of the Spirit with you as you go.
Carrying the Good News of God’s grace.Chorus
Bridge
Sent out to share the Good News with the world
We go.
Sent out to share the Good News with the world
We go.
Sent out to share the Good News with the world
We go.
Sent out to share the Good News with the world.Now go (into Chorus)
© 2018 John Burland & Stephen Leiweke