Church Music

The last song in John Burland‘s All Are Welcome Here is this funeral song.

Funeral songs should either be set to a familar tune to allow participation or designed as a solo as this one would be. He recounts the occasion that led to the writing of the song in the clip below.

Verse 1
There are no more tears to cry, our streams have now run dry.
We’re out of words to say, we’ve said our sad goodbye.
As we close our eyes we remember a life one of gentleness and grace.
A child of faith called to the Father’s house who showed to us God’s face.

Chorus
For you are home,
Precious child of our God.
You are home,
humble servant of the Lord.
God’s faithful one called to eternal life,
From this day we know that you are home.

Verse 2
Through the sadness and pain we find comfort in belief
Knowing God has made a place where there will be no more grief
Within the Father’s arms you’ll forever be, loved for all eternity.
A child of God with heaven’s angels and saints who showed us how to be.

Chorus

Verse 3
Beloved child of God held in hearts with tenderness
Shared with us such joy through life’s preciousness
Lord this special one you have shared with us such a gift for us each day
Remembered as we are gathered here as we join as one to pray

Chorus

© 2018 John Burland

I’m still working through John Burland‘s album, All Are Welcome Here.

This is an anti-slavery song inspired by the life of St Josephine Bakhita’s life. The text is based on Luke 4;18-19 and Galations 5:1. It has application within a theme of social justice and as a teaching point in schools.

It sounds more like a country song to me and that’s how my backing turned out.

Chorus

We sing for freedom, we sing for justice,
We sing for mercy, we sing for peace.
We sing for freedom to bring them home.
They are God’s children no one’s to own.
They are God’s children no one’s to own.

Verse 1
Stolen from home, taken away.
Sold into slavery living in fear.
Days of suffering of endless tears.
Living in misery through the years.

Chorus

Verse 2
Jesus is here we feel his love.
No longer captive our time has come.
Where darkness lived now we can see
There is a future where we are free.

Chorus

Verse 3
We are the voice for those without.
The many lost in fear and doubt.
In the voice of Jesus we all shout,
Calling for freedom calling for hope.

Chorus
© 2018 John Burland

If yesterday’s song from John Burland was a catchy pop Marian “hymn”, this is a pop earworm with lyrics for Gifts, Eucharist, Advent or maybe even Lent. Much of what is now considered traditional hymnody was derived from the pop music of its day, so I’m not going to decry the pop idiom if it is what works in your school or assembly.

It is from his collection All Are Welcome Here and the sheet music is available for $A20 at his website. All his music is inexpensive, he has deals for school licences, he makes video clips so you know what it is meant to sound like and even has backing tracks to sing along with. It’s a thoughtful and sensible approach for schools and many of the songs will work in the parish as well.

His backing track didn’t stop me making mine, which leans even more into classic pop.

Chorus
Love came to earth
through the gift of your son.
Jesus’ life poured out for us.
Through his body and blood we’re given life anew.
No greater love than the Lord our God’s.
No greater love than the Lord our God’s.

Verse 1
I stumble and fall on my way to you Lord
Though my heart is willing I so often fail.
When darkness comes your love keeps guiding me on
Your gift of sacrifice, given for me.

Pre-Chorus
One name above all
Throughout every nation.

Chorus

Verse 2
I hear you Lord and I follow your way.
Let me be your hands and feet every day.
Walking in faith I will live by your Word
Giving voice to others so they can be heard.

Pre-Chorus
Chorus

No greater love, no greater love, there is no greater love.

Last Chorus

Love came to earth
through the gift of your son.
Jesus’ life poured out for us.
Through his body and blood we’re given life anew.
No greater love than the Lord our God’s. x2

No greater love than the Lord our God’s.

No greater love than the Lord our God’s.

© 2019 John Burland

This is a Marian song from John Burland from the collection, All Are Welcome Here.

It is a catchy pop song, so different from many songs on this topic, and would suit Advent at schools especially. I can usually tell when Advent is coming because Mangan’s “Mary Said Yes” gets a lot of hits here, and this is for older young people and maybe older people who wish they were young still.

I made a backing.

1 An angel sent to Nazareth
With a message from the Holy One.
Mary you are favoured the Lord is with you
You will bear God’s only Son
and great will be his name.
For nothing is impossible
with the Lord our God.

Chorus
I place my trust in you O God,
In your mercy, in your glory & might.
My spirit sings with joy O God
In wonder every nation will sing.

God reigns
God reigns
God reigns

2 Yes, to you O God above
I’ll live within your love
To care for Him the Promised One
As the mother of your Son.

Chorus

Bridge
I am the servant of the Lord
May it be done to me
According to your word
God reigns
God reigns
God reigns
God reigns

Chorus

©2018 John Burland

This is a song a praise from John Burland‘s collection All Are Welcome Here.

The text is based on scripture from Isaiah 43:15 and Revelation 4:8, 15:4.

My backing is slow burn P&W style. Burland is more subtle. I slowed my backing down from 97 to 92 bpm – it was just a little fast I thought.

Chorus
Holy, Holy
Holy Lord is your name
Holy, Holy
Holy Lord is your name

Verse 1
Lord we come before you to praise your Holy name.
Your faithful people we’re gathered to proclaim
By your cross and resurrection
You came to set us free.
Jesus Christ our Saviour
Gave us life on Calvary.

Chorus

Verse 2
Lord God of glory the earth marvels at your deeds.
Your world of wonder provides everything we need.
Through your love we find redemption
We’re saved and we are free.
The God of our Salvation
Has revealed the mystery.

Chorus

Instrumental Bridge

Chorus

Key Change: Chorus x2

Holy Lord is your name

© 2018 John Burland

I’m looking at John Burland‘s 2019 album, All Are Welcome Here. This one is based on 1 Cor 16:13 and was co-written with Gary Pinto.

The sheet music is available at his website. I see it more in schools and masses for young people than general use.

Burland’s version is guitar pop, but for some reason I have gone synth-pop. I did these backings a while ago, so the backings are often a surprise to me too.

Verse 1
We walk by Faith
Surrounded by your grace.
Your light it guides our way,
The hope that we’re embraced
…Jesus.

Chorus
Planted firm in the Faith.
Built up we won’t be shaken.
Jesus we are yours today.
We walk side by side,
Together our lives entwined Lord
Jesus, be with us today.

Verse 2
You’re my Saviour,
Your Cross it bears my name.
Your Kingdom now shall reign
And everyone proclaim…your name Jesus.

Chorus
Bridge
Built on the rock and firm in Jesus Christ
We proclaim your Word throughout the world

Chorus x2 (Key change)
© 2011 John Burland & Gary Pinto

This is a Gary Pinto’s version:

This is a sung prayer and reflection from John Burland‘s album All Are Welcome Here. It is a quiet meditative piece. John’s text is set with music from himself and Stephen Leiweke.

Chorus
Lord bless me on this day.
Guide me in your way.
Calm my mind to be.
Let my eyes now see.
Surround me,
Surround me,
Surround me with Your love.

Verse 1
When I wander far from you
Be with me O Lord.
When I don’t know what to do
Be with me O Lord.
Verse 2
When I need to trust in You
Be with me O Lord.
When I doubt my faith in You
Be with me O Lord.
Verse 3
When I’m weary from the day
Be with me O Lord.
When I haven’t lived Your way
Be with me O Lord.
© 2019 John Burland, Stephen Leiweke

This is a gathering song, and the title song, from John Burland‘s collection, All Are Welcome Here.

The text is based on Roman 15:7 and the words of Pope Francis.

If your assembly feels its spirituality on its feet this is a fine pop song to get things going, but it might find a place at schools and outside mass as well.

My backing is how I felt it, that is, with too much sax, but listen to John’s version to get how it was intended.

Verse 1
Come brother,
Come sister,
Lay down your burden here.
The hungry,
The thirsty,
Will have no need to fear.

Verse 2
Come brother,
Come sister,
You will find shelter here.
The hoping,
The searching,
Will know the Lord is near.

Chorus
All are welcome here in the house of the Lord.
There is a home that’s waiting just for you.
All are welcome here in the house of the Lord.
There is a home that’s waiting just for you.

Verse 3
Come brother,
Come sister,
You will not be alone.
The frightened,
The damaged,
The Lord will guide you home.

Chorus

Bridge
There will be no one left behind.
Seek and you’ll find.
The Lord is calling out… calling out to you.

Chorus

© 2019 John Burland

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

While I am waiting for my “Pilgrim of Hope” book to arrive, I will carry on with John Burland‘s music, going back to 2019 for his album All Are Welcome Here.

He starts with the creed as paraphrased by himself, JoAnn Paradise and Gen Bryant. The music is by Burland and Bryant. I like that the “I believe” becomes “we believe” by the end of the song.

It is suggested as gathering or as a recessional, but it more likely for school assemblies and mission settings.

My backing is just BIAB synths.

Verse 1
I believe in the Father
I believe in the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit …
God- three in one
I believe the Father
Created all for us
The Father loved the world so much
and sent Jesus his Son

Pre-Chorus
Gathered in your name
Called to sing your praise

Chorus
I believe whoa ooo I believe
I believe whoa ooo I believe (I believe)

Verse 2
I believe in Jesus
The Word made flesh and blood
Who healed and blessed the lowly ones
And saved us from our sin

I believe upon a cross
Our Saviour and our King
Sacrificed his life in love
So we could live again.

Pre-Chorus

Chorus

Verse 3
I believe in the Holy Spirit
And the power we receive
To be a witness of God’s love
To those who don’t believe
I believe that Mary
Is the Mother of God’s Son
Her “yes” gave birth to love so pure
He conquered sin and death

Pre-Chorus

Chorus (with “We” rather than “I”)

© 2019 John Burland & Genevieve Bryant
Music: John Burland, Genevieve Bryant
Words: John Burland, JoAnn Paradise,
Genevieve Bryant