Lay Your Hands Gently Upon Us - Landry

This is a hymn about healing.

It was written by American Roman Catholic liturgical musician and songwriter Carey Landry (b 1944), and originally released in 1977 by North American Liturgy Resources on Landry's Abba Father album (ref).

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Landry. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of F, the first few notes are F G A_ GF D C A_ with accompanying chords F / Bb / F.

Sheet music is still available from OCP, and the song is included in various in-print hymn books including McCrimmon's Celebration Hymnal for Everyone (1994 and 2012 editions) and KevinMayhew's Catholic Hymns Old and New (2009)

The song can be used in confirmation or healing services. Usually it is presented as a very slow meditative hymn, but it can also be sung with a sense of urgency and pleading.

Woman receiving the sacrament of anointing of the sick or confirmation - sponsors hand is on her shoulder and priest or bishop is anointing her with oil. Chorus: Lay your hands gently upon us. Let their touch render your peace. Let them bring your forgiveness and healing. Lay your hands gently, lay your hands. 1 You were sent to free the broken-hearted. You were sent to give sight to the blind. You desire to heal all our illnesses. Lay your hands gently, lay your hands. 2 Lord, we come to you through one another. Lord, we come to you in our need. Lord, we come to you seeking wholeness. Lay your hands gently, lay your hands.

Downloads

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Examples

Small group with keyboard - recorded live in a church service:

Video with the original soundtrack - singer and guitar:

Solo singer with piano - professional recording:

Solo singer with guitar:

Virtual choir with piano and strings:

Singer with backing-track style accompaniment:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
Lay your hands gently upon us.
Let their touch render your peace.
Let them bring your forgiveness and healing.
Lay your hands gently, lay your hands.

1 You were sent to free the broken-hearted ...

2 Lord, we come to you through one another ...