Rather than go through the Praise to God: Parish Hymn Book in a sensible fashion, I will look at the songs based on where the Dominican Fathers accessed the material, starting with what they found in the Lutheran publication All Together Again, which is astonishingly still available on CD and sheet music.
This won’t be all Australian music but it will reflect what was being played in Australian churches back then.
Unsurprisingly it is based on Psalm 89 and it still sounds great. There would have to be lots of substituting of something like “My Lord” for Yahweh these days.
Mary at Godsong is all over this song. It was written by Karen Barrie IHM. My copy in Scripture in Song Book 2 says she was in Wilmette, Illinois in those day. She turns up on a record by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I can’t find what happened to her after the seventies. So this song by an American Catholic nun was collected by Australian Lutherans and claimed back by the Dominicans.
There is a neat modulation from the verse to the chorus. The verse is not sure if is it in C or Bb but goes to G in the chorus – wild.
I found the lyrics on an old songbook on the net and also made a backing.
I have made a covenant with my chosen,
Given my servant my word.
I have made your name to last forever,
Built to outlast all time.
Refrain
I will celebrate your love forever, Yahweh.
Age on age, my words proclaim your love.
For I claim that love is built to last forever,
Founded firm your faithfulness.Yahweh the assembly of those who love you
Applaud your marvelous word.
Who in the Skies can compare with Yahweh?
Who can Rival Him?Happy the people who learn to acclaim you.
They rejoice in you light.
You are our glory and you are our courage.
Our hope belongs to you.I have revealed my chosen servant
And he can rely on me;
Given him my love to last forever.
He shall rise in my name.He will call to me, “My Father! My God!”
For I make him my firstborn son.
I cannot take back my given promise.
I’ve called him to shine like the sun.