In today's programme of listener requests, we've a hymn written by two friends; there's one of Martin Luther King's favourite hymns; and the American Spiritual Ensemble sings Siyahamba.
Photo: 123RF
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 nga taonga pai
homai to aroha
Wa hia kia tika
akona mai ra kia u ki te pai
horoia kia ma tonu ra
Mohau te tino kororia.
[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: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir), Rupert Gough (organ)
Words/Music: Thomas Chisholm/William Runyan
Recording: Hyperion 112105
"Great is thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been thou for ever wilt be.
Refrain:
"Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!"
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed thy hand hath provided,
"Great is thy faithfulness," Lord unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Refrain:
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Refrain:
SONG: ALL MY HOPE ON GOD IS FOUNDED
Artist: Choir of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland
Words/Music: Neander trans Bridges/Howells
Recording: Private CD 812
All my hope on God is founded;
he doth still my trust renew,
me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true.
God unknown, he alone
calls my heart to be his own.
God's great goodness e’er endureth,
deep his wisdom, passing thought:
splendour, light and life attend him,
beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore from his store
newborn worlds rise and adore.
Daily doth th’almighty Giver
bounteous gifts on us bestow;
his desire our soul delighteth,
pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand at his hand;
joy doth wait on his command.
Still from man to God eternal
sacrifice of praise be done,
high above all praises praising
for the gift of Christ, his son.
Christ doth call one and all:
ye who follow shall not fall.
SONG: AND NOW, O FATHER, MINDFUL OF THE LOVE
Artist: Marlborough College Chapel Choir
Words/Music: Bright/Monk
Recording: Priory PRCD 702
And now, O Father, mindful of the love
that bought us, once for all, on Calvary's tree,
and having with us him that pleads above,
we here present, we here spread forth to thee
that only offering perfect in thine eyes,
the one true, pure, immortal sacrifice.
Look, Father, look on his anointed face,
and only look on us as found in him;
look not on our misusings of thy grace,
our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim:
for lo, between our sins and their reward
we set the Passion of thy Son our Lord.
And so we come: O draw us to thy feet,
most patient Saviour, who canst love us still;
and by this food, so aweful and so sweet,
deliver us from every touch of ill:
in thine own service make us glad and free,
and grant us never more to part with thee.
SONG: THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD
Artist: St Michael’s Singers, Coventry Cathedral
Words/Music: Psalm 23/Stuart Townend
Recording: Integrity Music 2007
The Lord's my Shepherd I'll not want
He makes me lie in pastures green
He leads me by the still still waters
His goodness restores my soul
Refrain:
And I will trust in You alone
And I will trust in You alone
For Your endless mercy follows me
Your goodness will lead me home
He guides my ways in righteousness
And He anoints my head with oil
And my cup it overflows with joy
I feast on His pure delights
Refrain:
And though I walk the darkest path
I will not fear the evil one
For You are with me
And Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know
Refrain:
SONG: PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND
Artist: Sunday 7pm Choir
Words/Music: Thomas Dorsey/Trad adapted Dorsey
Recording: Sunday 7pm Choir 2020
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
When my way grows drear, precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
SONG: GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir), Rupert Gough (organ)
Words/Music: John Newton/Cyril Taylor
Recording: Hyperion 112105
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
He whose word cannot be broken
formed thee for his own abode;
on the rock of ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
thou may'st smile at all thy foes.
See, the streams of living waters,
springing from eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint, when such a river
ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver,
never fails from age to age.
Saviour, if of Sion's city,
I through grace a member am,
let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in thy name.
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
all his boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasure
none but Sion's children know.
SONG: SIYAHAMBA (WE ARE MARCHING IN THE LIGHT OF GOD)
Artist: American Spiritual Ensemble
Words/Music: Anon
Recording: American Spiritual Ensemble 2009
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Siyahamba,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Siyahamba,
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos'.
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching,
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching,
We are marching in the light of God.
