Blessed Lamb on Calvary’s Mountain

This is a hymn for Lent, about redemption through Jesus' death on Calvary. 

The words were written by English Anglican (then later Roman Catholic convert) poet Matthew Bridges (1800-1894), and published in his 1848 book "Hymns of the Heart" (ref).

With meter 8.7.8.7.8.7, tunes it is set to include:

• RHUDDLAN- A Traditional Welsh melody.
• ARDUDWN by  John Roberts (1822-1877)
• LLANSANNAN
• BEACH SPRING - published in the 1844 Sacred Harp book, and is sometimes attributed to its editor, B. F. White - with the last two lines of each verse repeated.

Again we Keep this Solemn Fast / The Fast as Taught by Holy Lore

This is a hymn for Lent, which is traditionally sung on the first Sunday.   It is based on the Latin hymn,  Ex more docti mystico which is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (ca. 540-604). The words have references to Joel 2:12-18, Matthew 6:1-21, and Matthew 9:16-18.

The firstly widely-known English translation is  The Fast as Taught by Holy Lore - made by English Anglican priest, scholar and hymnwriter John Mason Neale (1818–1866).

Another translation, which is now more widely used, was made by American Roman Catholic diocesan priest, Latin scholar and translator, Peter J. Scagnelli (1949 -2017).  When this has been published, it is described as translated by Neale and adapted by Scagnelli.   This suggests that Scagnelli may have started from Neale's version - although the adaptations are considerable, and the translations could have been made independently.    

With long meter (8.8.8.8), tunes that the words have been set to include:

• ERHALT UNS HERR from King's Geisiliche Lieder, 1543 - the tune published and most-commonly used with Again we Keep ...
• OLD HUNDREDTH by French composer Louis Bourgeois (1510-1561) - the original tune for  The Fast as Taught ..., and now sometimes used for Again we Keep ...
• JESU CORONA - a Rouen church tune
• TAKE UP THE CROSS by Filipino priest and singer/composer J. Roel Lungay (b 1960) © 1997

Hosea (Come Back to Me)

This is a gentle song of repentance, suitable for Lent or reconciliation services.  It is based on Hosea 14:1 "Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity".

It was written by American Roman Catholic and at-the-time Benedictine monk Gregory Norbet (b 1940), and originally released in 1972.   Today it is copyright to the monks of Weston Priory via the The Benedictine Foundation of the State of Vermont. 

The song became better known when it was recorded by John Michael Talbot: Some sources, incorrectly, say that Talbot wrote it.

The song is set to an unnamed tune, also by Norbet. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of F, the first few notes are C G A A_ C G A A_ D F F_ B B C C_ with accompanying chords F / Bb / F

(We rise again from) Ashes

This is a hymn for Ash Wednesday.

It was written by American Roman Catholic pastoral musician, liturgist and folk-style composer Tom Conry (b 1951).

It was originally published by in 1978, and is still distributed by OCP Ltd.  In 2019, a revised version of the words was released (no changes to the tune), which addresses some theological concerns that had been raised about the original. 

 
It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Conry.  This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of Eb, the first few notes are E E_ E E_ E E G_   with accompanying chords   Eb - Eb/D - Cm

Servant Song (Brother let me be Your Servant) - Gillard

This is a folk-style hymn / worship song about serving Christ in other people.

It was written by English-born, New Zealand raised Anglican teacher and song-writer, Richard Gillard (b 1953) in 1976/7.  The song was first published by Scripture in Song - Songs of Praise, Volume II in 1978.  It has subsequently been picked up by mainstream liturgical publishers and is included in hymnals like Hymns Old and New (England) and Gather III (USA), as well as being covered by a diverse range of recording artists.  Arguably it is one of the most successful hymns ever written by a New Zealander.

The original opening line was "Brother let me be your servant", but common use today in many places shows it as "Brother, sister let me serve you". Similarly the 2nd line of the 2nd verse was originally "We are brothers on the road", but is often sung as "We are family on the the road", "We are travelers on the road" - or "We're together on the road" in England and Ireland.

With meter 8.7.8.7 D, it is set to a tune which is sometimes called THE SERVANT SONG.  In the key of D, the first few notes of the melody are D E F A   G F  E  D  with accompanying chords  D / A7 / D  /  G / D / A7 / D.

Note: it is a totally different from Servant Song by Sr Donna Marie McGargle.

Come Holy Spirit I Need You

This is a song of intercession to the Holy Spirit.  Alternative titles include:

• Come Holy Spirit I Need Thee
• Come Holy Spirit We Need Thee.
• Come Holy Spirit We Need You.

It was written by American evangelists and worship-leaders William (Bill) and Gloria Gaither, and first released in 1964.  A number of variations to the lyrics have also been written:  finding the author of these is extremely difficult, as most have not been officially published.

The song has been translated into various languages including German (Der Du Auf Wassern), and Spanish (Ven Santo Espiritu A Mi Alma).

The unnamed tune has a 3/4 time signature. In the key of F, the first few notes are A AA B AF AG.  Sheet music is available from several sources - see links below.

Tell my People (the People | my Family) - I Love Them

This is a gospel-style song exhorting Christians to tell God's people of his love for them.

It has two sets of words for the verses, and accompanying styles / approaches.

• One set of publications (based in New Zealand, in the 1980s/90s) attribute the words to Leonard Barlotti (chorus verses 1-2) and New Zealand author and composer Guy Janssen (verses 3-4).  These are more focused on the social-justice implications of Jesus' message.

• There are also some publications from the 1970 which have the same tune and chorus, but quite different words in the verses:  these present the song as © 1972 Gospel Publishing House or © 1975 Celebration/Kingsway Music.   they attribute the chorus to Leonard Bartlotti  and the verses to Jan Harrington.  These verses are more personal, and with them the song is popular for funerals.   The chorus is sometimes changed to "Tell my people ..." or "Tell my family"

Hymn-books where the song has been published in include:

• Complete Mission Praise - Harper Collins, United Kingdom, 1975
• Alleluia Aotearoa,  The New Zealand Hymnbook Trust Inc., New Zealand, 1999
• Servant songs : psalms, hymns and spiritual songs for God's people, The New Zealand Hymnbook Trust Inc., New Zealand, 1987
• Hymns for a Pilgrim People - GIA Publications, Chicago USA 2007, for the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches

None of these books are currently in-print, and no stand-alone sources of sheet music for the song have been located.

It's likely there were more publications and/or recordings in the USA, but these have not been found yet:  One possibility is that Bartolli wrote the refrain, which was initially used as a short worship song, then Harrington wrote a set of verses, and Bartolli wrote a different set of verses that were more in line with his original intentions.   However this remains a theory until more publications are located.

Image from MaxPixel, public domain CC0

Alleluia He is Coming (I looked up and I saw my Lord a coming)

This is a simple hymn for Easter, about Jesus' life, death, resurrection and coming again.

It was written in 1974 by American at-the-time-Episcopal teacher, education director, and church administrative assistant, Martha Butler (ref).

It was included in Cry Hosanna, and the accompanying LP recorded by the Fisherfolk which was released under the Celebration Records label in the UK in 1980.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Butler. This has a NN time signature. In the key of D, the first few notes of the melody are F_ A G_ GG F FF FF E_ with accompanying chords   Sheet music is available  from a website about the song which Butler owns:  links are given below, the sheet music is free.

Image from PublicDomainPictures  CC0

From Heav'n the Lord Looks Down

This is a hymn of praise, inspired by Psalm 14:2.

It was written very early in the career of American Roman Catholic Leo Nestor (1948-2019) who went on to become a notable organist, composer and academic.

It was included in Sons Of The Morning, an LP of Nestor's music which was released in 1970 under the World Library Of Sacred Music label (ref).  Later, it was included in Songs of Praise, volume II, a compilation by The Word of God Music which was published by Servant Music 1977.    No further publications or official recordings have been found:  one video on YouTube shows that it has been published in lead-sheet format with a two-voice chorus arrangement - but it has not been determined what book this was in.

The hymn is set to an unnamed tune, also by Nestor. This has a 6/8 time signature. In the key of Dm, the first few notes of the melody are D A AA GEC D_ with accompanying chords Dm / C / Dm / C.

Image from "Irish sky in October, 2016" © www.Godsongs.net 

A New Hymn of Praise - Moloney

This simple hymn of praise was written by Irish Roman Catholic priest and author John V Moloney (1916 – 2014).

Hymn books here it has been published include:

• The Veritas Hymnal, 1972
• Hymns Old and New for the Irish Church, Kevin Mayhew Ltd
• In Caelo, Veritas, 1999

These books are the only known sources of sheet music for the song. The first and third are still in-print and available to purchase.

It was included on a souvenir album,  Pilgrimage To Lourdes, released by DDM Paris  (ref).  Today, the song appears to be mainly used in Ireland.   

It is set to a tune which the Veritas Hymnal called CANTATE DOMINO.  This was written by French Roman Catholic priest and choir-master at Lourdes, Alexandre Lesbordes (1912 - 1969).   It has a 3/4 time signature, and in the key of F, the first few notes of the melody are C A A G F_ GA B B A G_.

The Light of the World is Jesus / Jesús Es La Luz Del Mundo

This is a hymn is about Jesus. The words are based on John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."  It is the piece in a "Christmas Lights - A Christmas Musical for Children".

The song was written by American itinerant music teacher and singing-evangelist, Philip P. Bliss (1838-1876) in 1875, and was originally composed for a revival meeting led by Ira D. Sankey (ref).

A Spanish translation was made by Henry Clifton Thomson (1844-1928) - and these dates mean that both the English and Spanish versions are public domain in many parts of the world.

With meter 11.8.11.8 with refrain, tunes it is almost-always set to a tune composed for the text by Bliss which is sometimes called LIGHT OF THE WORLD.