Music leaders, show us your song list - NEW!!

[benedictgal]

Second Sunday of Advent - December 6th
Opening Hymn: On Jordan’s Bank
Offertory: Come, Come Emmanuel (Chepponis)
Missa Emmanuel Mass (Holy, Holy/Memorial Acclamation/Amen/Lamb of God)
Communion: Christ, Circle Round Us - tune of SALVE REGINA written by OCP
Recessional: People, Look East

Immaculate Conception - December 8th
Opening Hymn: Sing of Mary
Offertory Hymn: O Lord of Light
Missa Emmanuel for Mass Setting
Communion Hymn: Taste and See by Stephen Dean
Recessional: Immaculate Mary

Do you think that Taste and See is okay for the Immaculate Conception?

Personally, I would not choose Taste and See. It would be better to choose something like Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence. The BVM is mentioned in the second verse and the song reminds us of the sacredness of what we are experiencing both at the Mass and during Holy Communion. You could also use Alleluia, Sing to Jesus, so long as it’s not that awful abbreviated version that OCP has in many of its books. The GIA Worship III version at least has the complete verses.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Second Sunday of Advent - December 6th
Opening Hymn: On Jordan’s Bank
Offertory: Come, Come Emmanuel (Chepponis)
Missa Emmanuel Mass (Holy, Holy/Memorial Acclamation/Amen/Lamb of God)
Communion: Christ, Circle Round Us - tune of SALVE REGINA written by OCP
Recessional: People, Look East

Immaculate Conception - December 8th
Opening Hymn: Sing of Mary
Offertory Hymn: O Lord of Light
Missa Emmanuel for Mass Setting
Communion Hymn: Taste and See by Stephen Dean
Recessional: Immaculate Mary

Do you think that Taste and See is okay for the Immaculate Conception?

I don’t think Taste and See would be a good option. Something I would use would be “Mary’s Song” which is to the NEW BRITAIN tune (Amazing Grace) and it’s based on the Magnificat. Another option is “O Sanctissima” which rarely or is never played on a Marian feast day.

Mary’s Song (NEW BRITAIN) hymn tune:
printandpraise.com/songprint/file/32152/preview/153134/103375.img

O Santissima:
printandpraise.com/songprint/file/65176/preview/200535/142159.img

 

[benedictgal]

I don’t think Taste and See would be a good option. Something I would use would be “Mary’s Song” which is to the NEW BRITAIN tune (Amazing Grace) and it’s based on the Magnificat. Another option is “O Sanctissima” which rarely or is never played on a Marian feast day.

Mary’s Song (NEW BRITAIN) hymn tune:
printandpraise.com/songprint/file/32152/preview/153134/103375.img

O Santissima:
printandpraise.com/songprint/file/65176/preview/200535/142159.img

I would not use a Marian hymn for Holy Communion. The Communion Hymn, in theory, should be about Our Lord. The two that I had suggested previously, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence and Alleluia, Sing to Jesus, mention the BVM in a couple of verses. But, the focus should always be on the One we are receiving.

Either of your two selections, however, would be okay for the Offertory.

 

[agapewolf]

There is nothing wrong with singing the psalm “Taste and See” during receiving the Eucharist. The lectionary itself puts this psalm in 4-5 weeks straight when the Gospel is the Bread of Life discourse. The Church itself recognizes that this psalm best encompasses the meaning of the Eucharist.

Also, while “Let all mortal flesh keep silent” might be a nice song, it is not practical nor a good choice to sing every single week, as suggested here.

 

[benedictgal]

There is nothing wrong with singing the psalm “Taste and See” during receiving the Eucharist. The lectionary itself puts this psalm in 4-5 weeks straight when the Gospel is the Bread of Life discourse. The Church itself recognizes that this psalm best encompasses the meaning of the Eucharist.

Also, while “Let all mortal flesh keep silent” might be a nice song, it is not practical nor a good choice to sing every single week, as suggested here.

But, the setting for Taste and See may not necessarily be the best one. Furthermore, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence and Alleluia Sing to Jesus are far superior. Granted, Taste and See may be based on a psalm, but, as with most of the stuff in Spirit and Song, it is not always used with the best setting, thus losing any solemnity, dignity and beauty.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Actually, I can see how “Taste and See” would go for this Solemnity.

Taste and See by Stephen Dean:

Refrain: Taste and see, taste and see that the Lord is good; the Lord is good.

Verses:

1. I will bless the Lord at all time,
   his praise always on my lips.
   The Lord shall be the glory of my soul;
   the humble shall hear and be glad.
2. Glorify the Lord with me,
   together let us praise his name.
   I sought the Lord: he answered me;
   he set me free from all my fear.
3. Look upon the Lord and be radiant;
   hide not your face from the Lordl
   He heard the cry of the poor.
   he rescued them from all their woes.
4. The angel of the Lord s with his people
   to rescue those who trust in him.
   Taste and see the goodness of the Lord;
   seek refuge in him and be glad.
5. Saints of the Lord, revere him;
   those who fear him lack nothing,
   Lions suffer want and go hungry,
   but those who seek him lack no blessing.
6. Children of the Lord come and hear,
   and learn the fear of the Lord.
   Who is he who longs for life,
   whose only love is for his wealth?
7. Keep evil words from your tongue,
   your lips from speaking deceit.
   Turn aside from evil and do good;
   seek and strive after peace.

Seems really appropriate for Communion. It’s not the version of the psalm I use, but it works.

 

[benedictgal]

Actually, I can see how “Taste and See” would go for this Solemnity.

Taste and See by Stephen Dean:

Refrain: Taste and see, taste and see that the Lord is good; the Lord is good.

Verses:

1. I will bless the Lord at all time,
   his praise always on my lips.
   The Lord shall be the glory of my soul;
   the humble shall hear and be glad.
2. Glorify the Lord with me,
   together let us praise his name.
   I sought the Lord: he answered me;
   he set me free from all my fear.
3. Look upon the Lord and be radiant;
   hide not your face from the Lordl
   He heard the cry of the poor.
   he rescued them from all their woes.
4. The angel of the Lord s with his people
   to rescue those who trust in him.
   Taste and see the goodness of the Lord;
   seek refuge in him and be glad.
5. Saints of the Lord, revere him;
   those who fear him lack nothing,
   Lions suffer want and go hungry,
   but those who seek him lack no blessing.
6. Children of the Lord come and hear,
   and learn the fear of the Lord.
   Who is he who longs for life,
   whose only love is for his wealth?
7. Keep evil words from your tongue,
   your lips from speaking deceit.
   Turn aside from evil and do good;
   seek and strive after peace.

Seems really appropriate for Communion. It’s not the version of the psalm I use, but it works.

It’s your choice and I respect that. However, I disagree regarding its appropriateness for Holy Communion, especially for a solemnity. It may work for something else other than this particular time, but whatever we choose should be related to Holy Communion.

 

[agapewolf]

It’s your choice and I respect that. However, I disagree regarding its appropriateness for Holy Communion, especially for a solemnity. It may work for something else other than this particular time, but whatever we choose should be related to Holy Communion.

It does relate to Holy Communion. As I said before, the church puts it as the psalm during the weeks of the Bread of life discourse. You can’t get anything closer to being related to Holy Communion than a psalm that says “Taste and See”.

This taste and see is not in Spirit and Song. You haven’t even listened to the setting, it matches everything you usually like.

 

[hosea]

What kind of responsorial psalms does everyone use? If you could tell me who they are composed by and what publishing company that would be great!

We use the Hymnal our Church provides, Journeysongs. It has Psalm settings for nearly all cycles. When we come across a week that is not represented we will use a Gather setting. We enjoy the settings in Journeysongs. There are many composers who contribute to the selections; Alstott, Cooney, Jaime Cortez, Stephen Dean, Randall DeBruyn, Farrell and many others. Thanks to this wonderful forum I try my best to watch for the ICEL copyright. If it is not there I check the lectionary to ensure the text is true.

peace,
H

 

[hosea]

Personally, I would not choose Taste and See. It would be better to choose something like Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence. The BVM is mentioned in the second verse and the song reminds us of the sacredness of what we are experiencing both at the Mass and during Holy Communion. You could also use Alleluia, Sing to Jesus, so long as it’s not that awful abbreviated version that OCP has in many of its books. The GIA Worship III version at least has the complete verses.

I listened to John Michael Talbot’s interpretation of Let all Mortal flesh keep silence. Beautiful. This is not a song that is in my choir’s repertoire. I plan to remedy that this Advent. JMT has been influencing my musical style for over 20 years. What a blessing!

peace,
h

 

[hosea]

I don’t think Taste and See would be a good option. Something I would use would be “Mary’s Song” which is to the NEW BRITAIN tune (Amazing Grace) and it’s based on the Magnificat. Another option is “O Sanctissima” which rarely or is never played on a Marian feast day.

Mary’s Song (NEW BRITAIN) hymn tune:
printandpraise.com/songprint/file/32152/preview/153134/103375.img

O Santissima:
printandpraise.com/songprint/file/65176/preview/200535/142159.img

Someone told me once that Mary songs are a no-no during Communion. It was a litrugical director so I’ve kind of stayed with that ruling. They are ok for prep and maybe post-communion meditation.
Anyone else ever heard that one?

 

[benedictgal]

Someone told me once that Mary songs are a no-no during Communion. It was a litrugical director so I’ve kind of stayed with that ruling. They are ok for prep and maybe post-communion meditation.
Anyone else ever heard that one?

I heard it twice: once in my old parish in Austin and the other at the Cathedral under the second diocesan director of worship. That was why I did not place the Ave Maria for my cousin’s wedding at Communion nor the offertory. Instead, I placed it at the time when my cousin was offering flowers to the BVM. In fact, I think even my parochial vicar made that observation as well. Someone had suggested using a Marian hymn for everything for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but, he nixed including the Communion hymn in the mix.

Communion songs are typically supposed to be Eucharistic in nature. The reason why I hold to the premise about Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence and Alleluia, Sing to Jesus (the complete version) is that there is mention of the BVM there and it works. A lot of parishes down here use Pescador de Hombres/Lord, You Have Come to the Seashore, but, it is not a Communion hymn. Someone came up with that bad idea and we have been trying to correct the problem ever since. But, like a bad computer virus, it just keeps spreading. It’s also a really bad song and overused to the point of ad naseum, but, that is for another thread.

Hosea, the version of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence has the Picardy melody. It is beautiful and easily singable. It is in JourneySongs.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Now that I think about it, I might have heard that ruling before. I just don’t know what kind of Communion hymn I could use. I don’t want to use “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” because I think it would be a better use for Christmas. “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus” I also think wouldn’t really fit, plus I have the botched version from OCP that only has 3 verses.

 

[benedictgal]

Now that I think about it, I might have heard that ruling before. I just don’t know what kind of Communion hymn I could use. I don’t want to use “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” because I think it would be a better use for Christmas. “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus” I also think wouldn’t really fit, plus I have the botched version from OCP that only has 3 verses.

You could use Let All Mortal Flesh any time of the year, except during Lent because of the Alleluias in the last verse. Of course, you could skip the last verse and then it would be okay. Now, what they have used for Holy Communion at the Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica has been Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful). This actually works as a Christmas communion hymn.

 

[Sarabande]

Someone told me once that Mary songs are a no-no during Communion. It was a litrugical director so I’ve kind of stayed with that ruling. They are ok for prep and maybe post-communion meditation.
Anyone else ever heard that one?

I found out about this as well from our present and past Director of Worship for our diocese. The Music Director for the cathedral of the diocese also follows this. What I learned was that for Marian months - May and October and for special Marian feast days, one can use Marian hymns during parts of the mass. The first time I found out about this is when a bride wanted “Ave Maria” as the processional. The DofW did not approve of it because she was getting married outside of a Marian month. Had she been getting married during May or October, he would have approved it. The only time it could be used was during the Presentation to Mary or prior to mass.

 

[hosea]

Hosea, the version of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence has the Picardy melody. It is beautiful and easily singable. It is in JourneySongs.

I put the score into my computer program this morning. Beautiful 4 part harmony.
Thanks for your persistance in recommending it. I can’t get it out of my head now. That’s usually a good sign. Pretty tune.

peace,
h

 

[benedictgal]

I put the score into my computer program this morning. Beautiful 4 part harmony.
Thanks for your persistance in recommending it. I can’t get it out of my head now. That’s usually a good sign. Pretty tune.

peace,
h

Glad to help! Continue having a blessed Advent!

 

[Sarabande]

I put the score into my computer program this morning. Beautiful 4 part harmony.
Thanks for your persistance in recommending it. I can’t get it out of my head now. That’s usually a good sign. Pretty tune.

peace,
h

I have to agree. It’s such a lovely melody. Whenever we’ve done it for mass, it never fails that people will come up to me and ask me what the hymn is and sometimes if it is in other hymnals. When I ran a children’s choir, this was one of their favorite hymns. They really liked singing it at that parish. haha! I’ve always liked it because it had this mysterious, other-worldly quality that seemed to transcend the earthly and the text was beautiful.

 

[hosea]

We learned Let all mortal flesh keep silence last night at practice. The group loved it. We listened to the John Michael Talbot version and will probably cover it. We have done almost every song in Journeysongs so it was nice to learn a new one. New. That’s funny. The original was composed in Greek as a Cherubic Hymn for the Offertory of the Divine Liturgy of St James in the fourth Century AD, with local Churches adopting arrangements in Syriac and English transcription. In modern times, the Ralph Vaughan Williams arrangement of a translation from the Greek by Gerard Moultrie to the tune of Picardy, a French medieval folk melody, popularized the hymn among Christian congregations that worship liturgically. That’s from Wikipedia. A new one to us maybe. Certainly not to our incredible Church.

thanks again,
h

 

[hosea]

2nd sunday of Advent C:

Ready the way (not one of our favs but it fits nicely.)
Advent wreath service for the Kyrie by John Schiavone (a tradition with our group for over 15 years)
The Lord has done great things for us by Ricky Manalo, CSP (ICEL and Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine, Inc. (CCD)
Maranatha
I am the living bread
Patience, people
Every valley (great Advent song)

we will probably do Let all mortal flesh keep silence in 2 weeks. We need to get a little more solid on the harmony. I need to decide if I am going to do it with just classical guitar or with an orchestrated sequence. Not sure yet. Love the song.

Peace,
h