The Gathering Song (Come, let us gather before Him)

This is a simple song for children, for gathering together at the start of a church-service.

It was written by Irish Roman Catholic composer and liturgical musician, Bernard Sexton, and included in the Grow in Love religious education programme used in Catholic schools in Ireland.

The song is set to an unnamed tune, also by Sexton. This has a 3/4 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes of the melody are C_ E_ G A GFG E  with accompanying chords C / F / C.

 Image adapt. from Wikimedia Commons - CC BY-SA 4.0

Downloads

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Lead sheet (melody + guitar chords)

Examples

Group of children with backing track

Instrumental

Bernard Sexton · Sing To The Lord -Gathering Song

Lyrics

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

Chorus:
Come, let us gather before Him.
Come, let’s give thanks here today.
Come, let us pray to the Father,
For He has shown us the way.

1. Jesus has called us by name.
... With joy we sing and we say.

2. Let us sing praise to the Lord.
... the Lord’s special day.

3. Jesus had very good friends
... shared His bread and His wine.

See more ...

• Gathering hymns
• Hymns for children

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY Chorus:
Come, let us gather before Him.
Come, let’s give thanks here today.
Come, let us pray to the Father,
For He has shown us the way.

1. Jesus has called us by name.
Jesus has taught us to pray.
As friends we gather in His name.
With joy we sing and we say.

2. Let us sing praise to the Lord.
All who now gather to pray
Now celebrate the love of God
On this, the Lord’s special day.

3. Jesus had very good friends
Who stayed with him all of the time
They followed Him wherever he went
And shared His bread and His wine.