Music Resources for Lent
Music Resources for Lent, Part 1: Choral Music
My wife sometime accuses me of starting to prepare music for Lent and Holy Week the day after Christmas. She says that because it has been true more than once.
I had the opportunity to meet many musicians and artists at the Liturgy Collective conference last fall. So, this year I decided to get direct input from other musicians for music that they use in their churches that have become favorites for them. I was looking for service music, congregational songs and hymns, and choral music. I was hoping for some lesser-known pieces—both newly composed but also older pieces that were new to me.
The Liturgy Collective has graciously allowed me to share these discoveries in the hopes that it might be helpful to others as you pace through this coming season of reflection, repentance, submitting to the disciplines of grace, and spiritually preparing for the season of Easter.
Since choral pieces take longer to prepare, I will start with various choir works that have been helpful in our context as well as suggestions from Samuel Metzger and Luke Brodine. These are a mixture of published choral works, public domain, and original. Where able to do so, I’ve included downloads for free use:
From Deep Distress and Troubled Thoughts, arr by Alice Parker
A well-suited Southern Harmony tune for choir that can work well with choirs of all sizes.
To Dust by Karen Marrolli
Very accessible and beautiful piece for Ash Wednesday or Lent. Incorporates the words of the Kyrie throughout and at the end.
At the Foot of the Cross by Susan and Lee Dengler
Very appropriate for Good Friday:
At the foot of the cross, there is sorrow.
At the foot of the cross, there is love,
Flowing down together in a river of salvation,
Covering all, covering all, covering all the world with grace.
When Jesus Wept by William Billings
Effective but simple 4-part canon that can be utilized a number of ways including placing sections around the worship space.
When Jesus Wept/Come and Mourn with Me Awhile by Eleanor Daley
Traditional texts with new music perfect for Maundy Thursday.
All You Who Pass By and For These Things I Weep by Greg Wilbur
Very short pieces or responses for Maundy Thursday with texts from Lamentations 1.
Behold the Lamb of God by Healey Willan
A classic, accessible, and effective short piece for Lent and Holy Week.
Bread of the World with text by Reginald Heber and music by Greg Wilbur
Medium-length piece for communion or Lent.
This is the Night, Dear Friends by Peter Abelard and C.H.H. Parry
An older but perhaps lesser-known piece for Maundy Thursday with a newer translation.
Kyrie for 4-part choir with divisi by Greg Wilbur
A short work with close harmonies but simple vocal parts.
These next two could be sung by Congregation or Choir:
Father of Heaven, traditional German tune
I’ve use this at the beginning of a Good Friday service as a trinitarian start to the observance of the crucifixion.
Alone Thou Goest Forth, traditional with adjustments
I’ve used this traditional text and tune (Bangor) as both a congregational piece and with a choral arrangement with orchestrations. In both, I nudged the harmony to modal to more aptly fix the text.
And finally, better-known works arranged for choir.
Is He Worthy by Andrew Peterson, arr. by Russell Mauldin
Rock of Ages by James Ward, arr by Lloyd Larson
I Know that My Redeemer Lives arr by Hal Hopson
Hopefully these ideas will help with choral planning in this next season (or for next year!). We will look at some ideas for congregational hymns and songs next.
Music Resources for Lent, Part 2: Congregational Songs
One of my desires and hopes in talking with other music leaders was to discover newly composed music from other congregations. I am delighted to have found several songs and hymns which I hope to incorporate over time.
I am grateful to Rachel Wilhelm, Matt Mazzoni, Jacob Tilton, Nathan George, and Matthew Montgomery for pointing me towards, and suggesting, these following songs and hymns:
Though the World by Gina Tuck and Sherdonna Denholm
Both lyrically and musically, this is a gripping folk-ballad that focuses on the temptations of our idols and the work of redemption through the cross.
We Sing Thy Praise, Exalted Lamb with text by Joseph Hart and music by Jacob Tilton
Stately, reflective, and contemporary, you need to check this one out.
Lord, When We Sinned Against You by Peter Leach and Nathan Clark George
Approachable, folk-like melody with rich theological text.
Go to Dark Gethsemane with text by James Montgomery and music by Rachel Wilhelm
I am planning on introducing this one this year. A somber, mournful, and pointed text and setting that is effective for Lent or Holy Week.
Lord Jesus, Think on Me with text by Synesius of Cyrene to an adapted version of Southwell
I adapted this tune from the 16th c. to translate the melody into a more accessible form so that these wonderful words would once again breathe life.
Jesus, Blessed Lord and Savior in this newer setting works well as a communion piece or as a reflection for Holy Week.
Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted (traditional version) is a classic hymn for Holy Week. In my context, I lowered the key to make it a bit darker in tone and removed some of the accidentals. When I use this for a Good Friday service, I often leave off verse 4 since Good Friday leaves us in the time between the death and resurrection of Christ.
In the previous post, I mentioned This is the Night, Dear Friends, Father of Heaven, and Alone Thou Goest Forth as hymns that could be done by choir or congregation. Matt Mazzoni suggested these lesser-known texts set to familiar melodies.
Psalm 32 from The Psalter 1912 sung to the Passion Chorale (“O Sacred Head”)
The Royal Banners Forward Go with text by Venatius H.C. Fortunatus sung to Hamburg, by Lowell Mason (“When I Survey”)
Speaking of When I Survey, Luke Brodine has a nice arrangement with a Celtic feel that might provide a nice variation in your context.
Next post we will look at some service music ideas and explore a few reasons why you should consider these types of short responses in your worship service.
Music Resources for Lent, Part 3: Service Music
I realize that many churches may not use service music in their contexts. Firstly, let me share some reasons why you might want to incorporate these shorter sung responses.
1. Since there is a dialogical component to worship, short service pieces allow for the congregation to respond to particular moments in prayerful unity.
2. Short pieces can move the congregation to confession, communion, benediction, etc. in effective ways that weave into the flow of spoken and sung service components.
3. Repeated liturgical musical pieces can provide anchors in the service seasonally, with a sermon series, or even a few weeks at a time.
4. Singing together more effectively unites the congregation than listening or spoken responses.
5. Service pieces can also encourage the congregation to sing introits, benedictions, and other responses in contexts where there is no choir or the choir sings seasonally.
6. While one can use newly composed works, a verse or two from known songs can also be highly effective.
So despite the truth of #6, I’m going to mention a few newer service-type pieces for your perusal. I can save a list of familiar pieces that can be used in shorter forms for another time.
Rachel Wilhelm shared her settings of a Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Kyrie from Requiem. These could be sung by choir or congregation:
Holy (Sanctus) is a more contemplative setting.
Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) is somber but ends hopefully.
Lord, Have Mercy adds verse to the traditional text in a beautifully intense prayer of confession
I like fashion, I shared back with her my own settings of the Missa Brevis (Franklin Kyrie, Franklin Agnus Dei, Franklin Sanctus, and Franklin Gloria) which we use in various ways throughout the year. All four of these settings have linked melodic motifs and three employ antiphonal parts between men and women. Our congregation learned these quickly and have loved these as part of our liturgy.
Music Resources for Lent, Part 4: Cliff Notes Version and Highlights
If you only have a limited amount of time and just want the highlights from the entire article around Lent music resources, here they are in no particular order:
Congregational
Though the World by Gina Tuck and Sherdonna Denholm
Both lyrically and musically, this is a gripping folk-ballad that focuses on the temptations of our idols and the work of redemption through the cross.
Go to Dark Gethsemane with text by James Montgomery and music by Rachel Wilhelm
A somber, mournful, and pointed text and setting that is effective for Lent or Holy Week.
Lord Jesus, Think on Me with text by Synesius of Cyrene to an adapted version of Southwell
I adapted this tune from the 16th c. to translate the melody into a more accessible form so that these wonderful words would once again breathe life.
Jesus, Blessed Lord and Savior in this newer setting works well as a communion piece or as a reflection for Holy Week.
Alone Thou Goest Forth in this tonally modified version.
Choral
To Dust by Karen Marrolli
Very accessible and beautiful piece for Ash Wednesday or Lent.
At the Foot of the Cross by Susan and Lee Dengler
Very appropriate for Good Friday.
When Jesus Wept by William Billings
Effective but simple 4-part canon that can be utilized a number of ways.
Bread of the World with text by Reginald Heber and music by Greg Wilbur
Medium-length piece for communion or Lent.
Kyrie for 4-part choir with divisi by Greg Wilbur
A short work with close harmonies but simple vocal parts.
