A selection of traditional and modern hymns. There's a good variety of musical styles in the programme, and hymns to mark a couple of special occasions: Matariki, the Maori New Year, and (from the Catholic Liturgical Calendar) the Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants.
Matariki (Pleiades star cluster). Photo: NASA
SONG: AT THE NAME OF JESUS
Artist: Choir of Salisbury Cathedral
Words/Music: Noel/Brierley
Recording: Priory
At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,
every tongue confess him King of glory now;
'tis the Father's pleasure we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
Humbled for a season, to receive a name
from the lips of sinners, unto whom he came;
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious when from death he passed.
Name Him, Christians, name Him with love strong as death,
But with awe and wonder, and with bated breath;
He is God the Saviour, He is Christ the Lord,
ever to be worshipped, trusted and adored.
Surely, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
with his Father's glory and His angel train;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him King of glory now.
SONG: HOW SHALL I SING THAT MAJESTY
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir), Rupert Gough (organ)
Words/Music: Mason/Naylor
Recording: Hyperion 112101
How shall I sing that Majesty
which angels do admire?
Let dust in dust and silence lie;
sing, sing, ye heavenly choir.
Thousands of thousands stand around
thy throne, O God most high;
ten thousand times ten thousand sound
thy praise; but who am I?
Enlighten with faith's light my heart,
inflame it with love's fire;
then shall I sing and bear a part
with that celestial choir.
I shall, I fear, be dark and cold,
with all my fire and light;
yet when thou dost accept their gold,
Lord, treasure up my mite.
How great a being Lord, is thine,
which doth all beings keep!
Thy knowledge is the only line
to sound so vast a deep.
Thou art a sea without a shore,
a sun without a sphere;
thy time is now and evermore,
thy place is everywhere.
SONG: COMPANIONS, LET US PRAY TOGETHER
Artist: Viva Voce, John Rosser (dir), Michael Bell (piano)
Words/Music: Clark, Ihimaera/Hamilton
Recording: NZ Hymnbook Trust 941300
Companions let us pray together,
in this place affirm our faith.
God who made us is here among us;
we stand together in God’s grace.
Refrain:
We are whanau, we are one,
brothers, sisters of the Son.
We are reaching for our freedom,
the prize that Christ has won.
The broken Christ stands here among us,
shares our suffering and our pain;
in breaking bread we find empowerment
to live in aroha again.
Refrain:
The risen Christ brings light and laughter,
celebrates the life we share;
the poured out wine of Christ’s self-giving
inspires us to reach out and care.
Refrain:
Now let us sing to God who loves us
and accepts us as we are;
Go out from here and live that message,
proclaim our oneness near and far.
Refrain:
SONG: WAIRUA TAPU
Artist: NZ Youth Choir (2003), Karen Grylls (dir), Albert Mataaga (guitar)
Words/Music: Ngapo Wehi
Recording: Trust MMT 2048
Wairua tapu tau mai ra
wairua tapu mai runga
uhia mai taonga mai
homai to aroha
Wa hia kia tika
akona mai ra kia u kit e pai ho roia
kia ma tonu ra
Mohau te tino koroia.
[Holy Spirit embrace me
Holy Spirit from up above
encase me in the precious gifts
give to me your love.
This place of truth
teach me the things that are right
bathe me, cleanse me
to You goes the glory.]
SONG: THE SHINING SHORE
Artist: Anonymous 4, Mike Marshall (guitar)
Words/Music: Nelson/Root
Recording: Harmonia Mundi 46700
My days are gliding swiftly by,
And I, a pilgrim stranger,
Would not detain them as they fly,
These hours of toil and danger.
Refrain:
For now we stand on Jordan's strand,
Our friends are passing over;
And just before the Shining Shore
We may almost discover.
Our absent King the watch-word gave,
“Let every lamp be burning,”
We look afar across the wave,
Our distant home discerning.
Refrain:
Should coming days be cold and dark,
We will not yield to sorrow,
For hope will sing with courage bold,
“There’s glory on the morrow.”
Refrain:
Let storms of woe in whirlwinds rise,
Each cord on earth to sever;
There, bright and joyous in the skies,
This is our home forever.
Refrain:
SONG: CHRIST BE OUR LIGHT
Artist: OCP Session Choir
Words/Music: Bernadette Farrell
Recording: Journeysongs Third Edition, Vol 28
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Refrain:
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Refrain:
Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.
Refrain:
SONG: FOR THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS
Artist: Choir of St John’s Cathedral, Napier
Words/Music: Kaan
Recording: Private 807
For the healing of the nations,
Lord, we pray with one accord;
for a just and equal sharing
of the things that earth affords;
To a life of love in action
help us rise and pledge our word.
All that kills abundant living,
let it from the earth be banned;
pride of status, race, or schooling,
dogmas that obscure your plan.
In our common quest for justice
may we hallow life's brief span.
You, Creator God, have written
your great name on humankind;
for our growing in your likeness
bring the life of Christ to mind,
that by our response and service
earth its destiny may find.
SONG: AMAZING GRACE
Artist: St Michael’s Singers of Coventry Cathedral
Words/Music: Newton/Trad
Recording: Kingsway KMCD 599
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound.
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found.
Was blind but now I see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved:
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thurs far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace.
When I've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
I've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when I first begun.
