Pocket Mass

Many years ago I got so depressed I wrote an entire mass setting along with entrance, recessional, gifts etc. It was the called the Pocket Mass, which was a mild joke but also was to suggest that it was intended to be portable and require minimum instrumentation. Not that I had a clue what writing a mass entailed, it just was something I had to do. I recovered but nonetheless tinkered with it over the years. When the texts changed I redid most of it and completely changed almost everything so that nothing remains of the original, except the Sanctus and the Great Amen.

The latest and last version of the Pocket Mass is finished.  It is the last version because I actually know what a Mass should be like now and this breaks so many rules that if I get depressed again I’ll write a new one more like what they are supposed to be.

That said, perhaps rules are meant to be flouted sometimes and maybe this Mass setting will work in certain circumstances. Many of the settings I have heard so far are pretty unplayable, including some of those recommended by the Australian Bishops, so I think we may be still searching for a really good setting for some time yet.

This Gloria is rather syncopated (I know – that isn’t a good idea in general) but skips along merrily in a through sung format and clocks in at under 1:50, which may be a record. Its fanfare like start turns up in other parts of the Mass. The litanies, the Kyrie and the Agnes Dei share ideas, as do the Our Father and the Lenten Gospel Acclamation.

It all works with just guitar and it is simple enough to be played on any instrument. There are lots of places to breathe for poor singers like myself and nothing too high. The rhythms suggest an assembly on their feet.

I’m putting up backings and words and if anyone is interested I’d like you to sing along. By all means let me know if I have unknowingly copied someone’s work.

The original Pocket Mass even had a Credo but getting “visible and invisible” to scan is certainly beyond me and the new text just scared me off. I should have a look at the other songs one day and see if any are worth salvaging.

I’m not putting up the sheet music because I haven’t decided what I am doing with it yet.

Kyrie, eleison.

Christe, eleison.

Kyrie, eleison.

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to people of good will.

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.

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.

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. Amen.

 

Alleluia x3

Praise and honour to you Lord Jesus.

Praise and honour to you Lord Jesus.

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

We proclaim your death, O Lord,

and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again.

Save us, Saviour of the world,

for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.

Amen x4

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

 

Priest: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

 

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.