Song lyrics for all occasions
Sing a joyful noise! Hymnists sharing their music through Worship Words, are committed to inclusive language and progressive theology. Their work is copyright-free and available for free use in worship. Please acknowledge the artist. Photo: Music Tree tapestry by Karen Ingleton, UK
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Written for Year B Epiphany 5 Mark 1.29-39 Tune: Melcombe For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. In healing, Jesus did embrace An energy we cannot trace; His love revealed in every place The mystery of amazing grace. They came to Jesus to be blest – The sick and those who were […]
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‘We Hold the Keys’ was commissioned by the Worship Reference Group of the United Reformed Church and debuted at the 2023 annual conference of the Joint Liturgical Group of Great Britain, ‘Shaping Worship: Creation’s Climate Crisis – responding in faith’. Lyrics and music by David Williams Ready-to-download: We Hold The Keys lyrics PDF – lyrics […]
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Witness, hymn by Sam Goodman, UK hymnist Tune: Go tell it on the mountain Chorus Breathe life into our witness Guide us in ways that share your message Rescue with your forgiveness And hold us safe in your love Remind us we are cherished Revive our very souls Restore us in your image Redeem us, […]
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To be spoken or sung to the tune of either Stuttgart (Come thou long expected Jesus) or Sussex. Verses 1-4 might be used for the opening hymn in worship, while verse 5 might be used as a benediction or words of sending out. Send your spirit as we gather Breath your love into our hearts […]
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tune – New Winchester, ‘Ride on, ride on in majesty’ Rejoice in love that brings us here That brings us hope and holds us dear Let’s share God’s love with those we meet At home, at church, at work, in streets Immersed in love, restored by grace Let your redemption fill this place Transform our […]
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Lyrics are sung in Bemba and translated below into English. Here’s a link to Cephas Ng’oma singing this song. Chorus Uku Yahweh ekukabila kwa mutima wandi (YHWH, this is my heart’s desire) Uku Yahweh ekukabila kwa mweo wandi (YHWH, this is my life’s desire) Isusheni umutima wandi (Fill my heart) Isusheni umweo wandi (Fill […]
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Shepherding hymn Tune: St Clement – The day though gavest Be with us in ways that wrap us in communion Unite us to be your church once more While we are apart bring us closer together In ways that your justice and mercy restore Be always beside us, your word speaks to guide us A […]
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What are the Reparations? tune: “The Church’s One Foundation” – Aurelia It seems that God’s creation is not what was designed. So easy to accept things and then become resigned To never being different, wrongs ne’er to be repaired Will ever come the time when your bounty’s fairly shared? We see the world around us […]
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Tune: Westminster Abbey (Christ is made the sure foundation) Love eternal, here among us Breathing hope into every life Love from heaven, love descending Walking humbly and by our side Holding, healing, love revealing Love once broken, crucified Love enduring, here to save us Here to lift us away from hate Love redeemed and resurrected […]
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Tune: Slane, an old Irish folk tune (Be thou my vision). You can listen here. Try it out a couple times, as the words do fit beautifully. Come to us in worship Bring us closer to you And as our voices rise Your love shines through Your gifts to us encourage Your power makes […]
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Tune: Hereford A voice for the voiceless A promise of forgiveness A chance to be A people of blessing A call to share love that God richly gives so freely A love that encompasses A world that needs its healing A voice in the darkness To shine a light on visions That show us the […]
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Pentecost 24, Year B Mark 12:38-44, particularly verse 41-44 Tune: Ombersley For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Jesus sat by the temple door Watched people’s giving – when he saw Some gave great sums but one gave more; Who gave the most – the rich or poor? We can confirm we really […]
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Tune: love unknown (My song is love unknown), composed by John Ireland in 1918 Your love invites me in To shelter in your peace To know the hope you bring To feel how you can release You set me free So I can be Eternally The child you see Your love rebuilds my trust You […]
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Based on the tune of St Clement – ‘The day though gavest’ Be with us in ways that wrap us in communion Unite us to be your church once more While we are apart bring us closer together In ways that your justice and mercy restore Be always beside us your word speaks to guide […]
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Tune – Monk (All things bright and beautiful) Chorus Take our lives to live for you In ways that serve and bless Loving Christ in all we do In all our lives confess Lead us where we are needed To show your love is true In all things let us witness How great love comes […]
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Tune: Brightest and best are the sons of the morning Bread for the hungry A feast for the famine now Prepare a table To feed us and share Broken in sacrifice Dying to save us This gift you gave us Is your love and care Wine for the thirsty Your blood poured so readily Given […]
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Tune: In my life Lord be glorified, by Bob Kilpatrick Stand among us Pour out your hope, let your grace flow Take our burdens Hold us in your great love Come and rescue Save us from fear, make your Word clear Come and heal us Hold us in your great love Lighten darkness Shine down […]
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The prayer Tune: Crüger, Hail to the Lord’s anointed In tenderness enfold us, engage with us in prayer And as you gently hold us, remind us that you’re there Send light into our darkness Breathe love into our lives Send blessings down upon us Let hope and mercy thrive Be in the prayer we offer, […]
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Bless Our Friends, Bless our Food Tune: Edelweiss This sung blessing has been hanging in the dining room of University Church, Chicago, since before 1968 when I moved there. The lyrics have been altered slightly to be inclusive (changes are in italics). Bless our friends, bless our food, Come, Great Love and sit with us. […]
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Tune: Dominus Regit Me Title: Ministering to Christ The sacred role of ministry Of caring for the broken – Christ can be heard, but silently As if his pain has spoken. The ministry to Christ is known In caring for the stricken; He comes to us in flesh and bone Of those caught in affliction. Christ […]
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Tune: Darwall For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. A dream of dignity For all humanity It is a dream so bold; ‘Can’t happen,’ we’ve been told; But we can strive To keep alive This hope for human harmony A dream of dignity For all humanity; A dream that Jesus saw Was […]
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Tune: Lobe den Herren ‘Praise to the Lord’ Bring us your peace Wrap us gently in love that can calm us Save us from fear And protect us from hurts that can harm us And as you heal Show us your mercy is real Live in our hearts and refresh us Bring us your hope […]
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Tune: Was lebet was schwebet, O worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness Refresh our lives bring us back to this Holy place Where we feel held in the love that you show Let mercy flow, hold us tenderly in your grace Build up your church let our love for you grow Restore in […]
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Ready-to-print music: God, The Soaring Eagle, music God, the soaring eagle, God, the mother hen, Architect and potter, shelter, shield and sun, Comforting the people others have condemned: You of many names, you nameless one: All our words of praise have just begun. God the gentle shepherd, God the mighty king, Crying out in […]
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Tune: In Christ alone You are my rock, safe and secure All that I treasure comes from you When others fade, you will endure Your promises are always true Chorus From where I stand, from what I know You are my strength, you are my guide Wherever I am called to go Your love will […]
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For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Tune: Repton AHB 519(ii) TiS 598 Title: The Unexpected Proper 27, Year A The stories of the long ago Can lead to rich insight; The unexpectedness of life Can lead to happiness or strife, To sadness or delight; To sadness or delight. The opportunities that […]
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For lives cut short, no time or space to grieve; for saints and servants you have now received; for all who still bear witness and believe: O Love, have mercy. O Love, have mercy. For those oppressed and trampled by the state; for systems built by centuries of hate; for justice now — no longer […]
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A new copyright-free song and video from poet Lucy Berry. A song written in Covid-19 lockdown offering comfort for times of trouble. Piano music and guitar chords for down-load: ‘Lean on me’ music Click here for the video and soundtrack, ready to use for on-line worship. And God said: “Lean On Me” 1. It seems […]
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Year A, Proper 21 (usually Pentecost 16) Reading: Matthew 21:23-32, particularly verses 28-32. Tune: St Paul Adapted using inclusive language. For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Recorded stories Jesus told Were told for his own day; But still their message nurtures those Who wish to walk his way. A vineyard owner […]
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Year A Pentecost 12 Matthew 16:21-28 Tune: Regent Square For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Growing Tensions 1. Jesus faced the growing tension; Fierce hostility was grim; Yet he wished to preach his gospel In streets of Jerusalem; He knew that his strong opponents Planned his death to silence him. 2. […]
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Tune: Nettleton 8787D — John Wyeth, Repository of Sacred Music, Part II, 1813 We are gathered in the Spirit though our bodies are apart, Filled with joy and touched with wonder, separate hands but mingled hearts Giving thanks and singing praises for the love that calls us on. From our many different places we are […]
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Matthew 14:22-33, Proper 13, (usually 9th Sunday of Pentecost), Year A For tune, musical score, lyrics and PPT – click here 1. On the Sea of Galilee Can you picture you and me? Apprehension can arise In a storm can we survive? Chorus: Jesus is God’s presence here; In his teachings we can hear Love […]
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Inspired by: Micah 6:8; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 4:16-21 Tune: Hyfrydol 1. Church is more than just a building, more than wood or metal or brick. Church is how we love our neighbour. Church is how we tend to the sick, Feed the hungry and heal the suffering, welcome strangers and give to the poor. All […]
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Tune: Bard of Armagh (Streets of Laredo) I dream of a church that joins in with God’s vision Of a people who live without counting the cost; She trusts in the Spirit of Christ Jesus’ mission Lifts up the oppressed with Good News for the lost. I dream of a church that joins in with […]
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New words to an old tent-meeting revival hymn Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling Calling for you and for me Walking his pathway toward joy and compassion Calling for you and for me Come home, come home You who are weary come home; Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling, “Dear searcher, come home” Leave behind […]
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Let me walk in love beside you All along life’s dusty road Hearing, knowing every burden Let me help to share your load Wounds and pain arise to rob us Of a love community Guard me from a self-importance Seeing you as less than me Let me rise and risk for justice Walk a mile […]
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Tune: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing , by J. Wyeth 1813 God, I know you as a spirit Blowing through me like a wind You are the spirit of the water You are the source, you are the end God, I know you as a mother Giving birth to all I am But I […]
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Written for Advent (Third Sunday of Advent Year A; Second Sunday of Advent Year B) Tune: Cecilia (6.6.6.6) A desert voice rings out to bring the faithful near; a voice that’s firm and strong, a call that’s loud and clear. A voice that rings with truth reminds us how we fall but lifts us up […]
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Creator God, your love abounds forever; Creation’s beauty fills the earth and sky. Your shining stars, the universe expanding, Amazing power, creation does display. Chorus: Creator God, we lift our song to you, How great your love, how great your love. (repeat) When through the veld and grassy plains we wander, we hear the birds, […]
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