A selection of traditional and modern hymns. Sing along this week to well-known favourites Praise, my soul, the king of heaven, The God of Abraham praise and Immortal, Invisible.
St Dunstan's Church, Clyde, Central Otago Photo: Benchill, Creative Commons
SONG: PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir), Rupert Gough (organ)
Words/Music: Lyte/Goss
Recording: Hyperion 112102
Praise, my soul, the king of heaven!
to his feet thy tribute bring,
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore his praises sing:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting king.
Praise him for his grace and favour
to our fathers in distress;
praise him still the same as ever,
slow to chide and swift to bless:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like, he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hand he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Widely as his mercy flows.
Angels in the height adore him,
ye behold him face to face;
Saints triumphant, bow before him,
gathered in from ev’ry race.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.
SONG: THE GOD OF ABRAHAM PRAISE
Artist: Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral, Dunedin
Words/Music: Anon adapted Olivers/Lyon, Olivers
Recording: Ely 105
The God of Abraham praise,
who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of Everlasting Days,
and God of Love;
Jehovah, great I AM!
by earth and heaven confessed;
We bow and bless the sacred name
forever blest.
There dwells the Lord our king,
The Lord our righteousness,
Triumphant over the world and sin,
The Prince of Peace.
On Zion’s sacred height
His kingdom he maintains
And glorious with his saints in light
Forever reigns.
The God who reigns on high
The great archangels sing,
And "Holy, holy, holy!" cry,
"Almighty King!
Who was and is the same.
And evermore shall be:
Jehovah, Father, Great I Am!
We worship thee!"
The whole triumphant host
Give thanks to God on high.
"Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!"
They ever cry.
Hail, Abraham’s God and mine!
I join the heavenly lays:
All might and majesty are thine
And endless praise!
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:
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: O, MARY DON’T YOU WEEP
Artist: Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Words/Music: Trad
Recording: Bonneville 510097
Refrain:
O Mary, don't you weep, don't you mourn,
O Mary, don't you weep don't you mourn;
Pharoah's army got drownded,
O Mary, don't you weep.
Some of these mornings bright and fair,
Take my sings and cleave the air.
Pharoah's army got drownded
O Mary, don't you weep.
Refrain:
When I get to Heaven goin' to sing and shout,
Nobody there for to turn me out.
Pharoah's army got drownded
O Mary, don't you weep.
Refrain:
When I get to Heaven goin' to put on my shoes,
Run about glory and tell all the news.
Pharoah's army got drownded
O Mary, don't you weep.
Refrain:
SONG: I’M GONNA SING ‘TIL THE SPIRIT MOVES IN MY HEART
Artist: Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Words/Music: Trad
Recording: Bonneville 510097
I'm gonna sing 'til the spirit moves in my heart (x 3)
I'm gonna sing 'til Jesus come.
I’m gonna sing to my Jesus (x 3)
I'm gonna sing 'til Jesus come.
I’m gonna sing to my Jesus (x 3)
I'm gonna sing 'til Jesus come.
It was grace that brought me
It was grace that taught me
It was grace that kept me
And it's grace that will lead me home.
I'm gonna pray 'til the spirit moves in my heart (x 3)
I’m gonna pray ‘til Jesus come.
Can't you feel the spirit movin'.
I’m gonna shout to my Jesus (x 3)
I'm gonna shout 'til Jesus come.
I'm gonna sing 'til my Jesus come.
SONG: JESU, LOVER OF MY SOUL
Artist: Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, Sarah MacDonald (dir)
Words/Music: C Wesley/Dykes
Recording: Priory PRCD 714
Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
Cover my defenceless head
with the shadow of thy wing.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name,
Source of all true righteousness;
Thou art evermore the same,
Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
freely let me take of thee;
Spring thou up within my heart;
rise to all eternity.
SONG: ABERYSTWYTH
Artist: NZ Community Trust Woolston Brass Band/David Gallaher (dir)
Music: J Parry
Recording: Private 930
SONG: IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE
Artist: Huddersfield Choral Society
Words/Music: Smith/Trad adapted Roberts
Recording: EMI 746202
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might:
thy justice, like mountains high soaring above;
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all, life thou givest, to both great and small.
In all life thou livest, the true life of all.
We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,
then wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.
Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light,
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render: O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.