Archive for the ‘Song of the Week’ CategoryThere are not enough songs about the importance of the Bible. And yet it is a huge need in the Western church today. This website states: It goes on to say that 35% of Christians in the USA never read the Bible. Shocking indeed! Yet this one says that “Half the books of the Bible can be read in 10 to 45 minutes each, and many of them can be read in less than 20. The entire Old and New Testaments can be read aloud slowly and with expression in less than 71 hours.” Wow! So, here’s my latest song on this subject: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Your Word ____Bb_____Eb________Fsus4 Eb____________Bb It fills the tired and weary It tells of how You made us Inspire us through its pages If you use this song in your church, do let me know how it goes! The message is very important, as I’m sure you can see! A simply a capella song based upon the words of the famous prayer by Walford Davies. Hints of Taize in this one and it also works as a four part round (if you listen all the way through, you’ll here the effect). I think the Anglicans will like this one! I recorded this in my bathroom to get a ‘cathedral-like’ sound. (PS Sorry about the dodgy voice in places!) Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. God be in my Head A capella. God be in my head God be in my mouth I like a bit of Latino music, don’t you? So, this song is in a typical generic South American Latin style (not sure what you’d call it besides that!) It would normally be accompanied by plenty of percussion, guitars, trumpets etc, not just piano. Special thanks to my daughter, Mads, for singing the ladies lines. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Salvador del Mundo Intro: Em_______C___B7 Em_______C___B7 Chorus: ____Em__C_B7__________Em__C_B7 He grew up On the cross Once again, this song speaks about the world’s need for Christ. However, rather than focussing on social needs and difficulties (like Song no.4), this one is to encourage us to spread His message to those who do not know Him. The tune has hints of 1970s harmonies in the chorus, but a rarely used chord sequence in the verses is used. The whole song could be played a tone lower (in G major) but I like it better in A! Cheers! Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. We want to tell the world . A________C#____F#m___F#m/E You made us in your image Money, fame, prosperity, I’ve gone for a straight down the line ‘Gospel’ feel to this one. I know that’s not original, but neither is Gospel music represented in mainstream Evangelical churches these days. I think it should be! Gospel music is uplifting and people like it! Remember the impact it’s had in Japan (click here for more info)? The song is not suggesting that your problems will all disappear if you follow Jesus, but that His presence in your life will make a big difference, and give you a whole new perspective on those problems. Enjoy it! Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. The Solution Chorus: _______Bb Chorus If the road ahead looks bumpy Chorus If you’re weary or exhausted Chorus Bridge: Chorus Go open up your Bible now A quieter, contemplative one this week. Chords are a variation on the over-used VI-IV-I-V, with the last chord changed to II(#). In spite of my earlier ‘rules’, this one is not particularly based on any one Bible passage, but rather is inspired by seeing the current state of the world, of my country and of many towns and cities. If everyone followed Jesus (or even just lived by his teachings), the world would be a peaceful place. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. ____Em________C . This country needs Jesus The homeless and the needy This town needs Jesus The drunken and the violent Coda: Oh My God! Yes, that’s the title of my third song of the year. The aim is to reinstate the phrase to its original meaning of awe and wonder at our mighty, omnipotent creator. As you know, the phrase has become misused as an expletive in recent times, so this song aims to redress the balance once again. This one has a bit of a funky Latin beat with hints of acid jazz; not something you often hear in church! Also, the repeated chord sequence of I, II, V in a minor key has never (to my knowledge) been used in Christian worship music before (but please correct me if you know otherwise!) Here you go: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Chorus: Verse 1: Every step that I take He guides me This whole church is the Lord’s own body * If you want it to sound ‘posh’ then play A7b9 instead of A7 if you know it (C#dim would work too). Here’s the second of my ‘fifty songs in 2012’. I hope you like it! The words are inspired by Psalm 42, Romans 8:28, Rudyard Kipling and other Biblical themes. The melody only uses an octave of the C major scale (no accidentals), but the harmonies are more adventurous. It’s got a slightly 80s or even Elton John/Disney feel to it in places. Here you go: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Still I will Praise Him __C__________G Chorus: In sickness and in health In life and in death So, here’s Song Number One: I’ve gone for a pseudo-celtic, neo-hymn (which partly breaks my rule no.5 already). But, hey, the Townend/Getty ones have gone down well and it’s still different from most other worship songs today! Hope you like it – I’ve gone for a very ‘safe’ song first time round, but shall endeavour for something more radical next time! (PS Sorry, I’m recovering from a cold, so my voice is not that great). Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
It’s hard to love your enemies Take away all bitterness Yes, my New Year’s Resolution for 2012 is to compose – and post on this blog – a new worship song every week! Ambitious? Yes! A bit crazy? Probably! Well, I’m pledging to do fifty songs, so that I get a week or two off at least. The thing is, I’ve been composing for over two decades and I get tunes and ideas in my head all the time. So, all I have to do is note them down and share them with you. (i) No Christian jargon! (ii) No more clichés, please! (iii) Make use of vocabulary currently in the media (iv) Use new or different harmonies (v) Draw musical inspiration from the secular world There is no ‘church music’, there is just music used (or not) in church. Any style can – and should – be used. So, if you’re writing a new song, try not to get your influences from other worship song writers; this will only perpetuate the ‘inbred-ness’ of these. Why not listen to some current pop, rock, reggae, jazz, latin, R & B music and use those styles? These needn’t be overly complicated, but at least we will have a balanced musical diet in church. (vi) Tied to Scripture Now, I know I will fail at the above, but I can at least try (and you should too!) If you could make it your New Year’s resolution to try out at least one of the fifty songs in your church at some point this year, that would be wonderful (and when you do, let me know how it goes!) Some of the songs will be quite good, others less so. This is a kind of experiment. I figure that even if one person reads one song and is touched by it, I will have served a purpose. I’m also happy for you to send your opinions or suggestions about the songs. |