Hymns, songs & music
Related to the Bible readings
Suggestions from Adult & All Ages
(Songs in italics are suitable for all ages.)
Click here for ideas for using music during Lent and Easter.
A debtor to mercy alone (HTC)
As we break the bread (HTC, RS, SG)
Glory be to Jesus
I cannot tell
It is a thing most wonderful
Lift high the cross
My Lord, what love is this
My song is love unknown
Now the green blade rises
O my Saviour, lifted
Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
Stay with us (Taizé) (BPW, RS)
Such love, pure as the whitest snow
Take, O take me as I am (CH4, SG, WGWG)
There is a Redeemer
Unless a grain of wheat shall fall
When Christ was lifted from the earth
Will you come and follow me
A song for this issue
There is a longing in our hearts
Anne Quigley (CHE, LAU, CH4, HGSP, SG)
This is a heartfelt song for the reflective time of Lent, when we look at ourselves to see what we can change. It has an easily picked-up refrain addressed to God, and verses asking for all the things the world most needs: justice, healing, new life. It's more of a prayer than a song of praise but is most effective for bringing a group of adults or children together to worship together.
Although the melody is easily picked up, there's a temptation to hang on to the last note of the verse when in fact the refrain comes in almost at once – help people to sign this with confidence by bringing this to their attention and singing the 'join' a few times beforehand.
Suggestions from Children & Young People
Sing
Abba, Father, let me be
Higher, higher (KS, TS, SOF)
Come, let us sing of a wonderful love
I’m special
In everything that I do (JP, KS)
Jesus, thank you for the cross (KS)
Lift his name high (KS)
Lord, I lift your name on high
Thank you, Jesus
What kind of man was this (CHY)
Will you come and follow me?
Listen
Use these MP3 files of the song, and backing track to help learn the song, Children of the cross.
God is raising up an army.
Made of those who are still young.
God is lifting up their voices,
Through the weak he’ll shame the strong.
It’s been prophesied they will prophesy,
God’s salvation they will show;
for the promise is to the children,
to our daughters and our sons.
Children of the cross, a shining example,
Children of the cross are singing his praise.
Children of the cross are silencing the enemy,
Children of the cross are saying the Lord saves.
‘Children of the cross’ by St James’ worship group, on Let the children come to me , MP3 backing track and lyrics available on the web and from www.blackburn.anglican.org
Between the readings: Psalm 31.9-16
The English composer Christopher Walker, referring to the 'My God, my God...' refrain, once said, 'It is an awesome thing when we can sing the words of Jesus'. These words enable us to enter into the suffering of one who feels utterly abandoned and bewildered. Throughout Passiontide, and especially on Good Friday, this is a very powerful text if sung by a cantor or group of singers, with everyone joining in with the response.
Response line The response line, for everyone to say or sing between the verses is: I have trusted in you, O Lord. [I have said, 'You are my God] or My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Versions of psalm 31 include My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? versions in CH4, HGSP, LHON, PRA, OD and PAME; also I have trusted in you versions in NEP and PAME.
Key to abbreviations