Showing posts with label hymns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hymns. Show all posts

18 September 2012

Anglican Hymnody

Hymns Ancient & Modern
New Standard, No. 61, p. 349

Text: Latin, before 9th cent.
tr. J. Chandler (1806-76)

Christ is our corner-stone,
on him alone we build ;
with his true saints alone
the courts of heaven are filled :
on his great love
our hopes we place
of present grace
and joys above.

O then with hymns of praise
these hallowed courts shall ring ;
our voices we will raise
the Three in One to sing ;
and thus proclaim
in joyful song,
both loud and long,
that glorious name.

Here, gracious God, do thou_
for evermore draw nigh ;
accept each faithful vow,
and mark each suppliant sign ;
in copious shower
on all who pray
each holy day
thy blessings pour.

Here may we gain from heaven
the grace which we implore ;
and may that grace, once given,
be with us evermore,
until that day
when all the blest
to endless rest
are called away.

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31 July 2012

Hymn Translation: O Bread of Heaven

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Holy Mass in the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, City of Westminster, England, 18 September 2010

O Bread of Heaven
Words: St Alphonsus Liguori
Translation: Rev. E. Vaughan C.SS.R.
Music: Tynemouth - H. F. Hemy
Performed by: Westminster Cathedral Choir


O Bread of Heaven, beneath this veil
Thou dost my very God conceal:
My Jesus, dearest treasure, hail!
I love Thee and, adoring, kneel;
Each loving soul by Thee is fed
With Thine own Self in form of Bread.

O food of life, Thou Who dost give
The pledge of immortality;
I live, no 'tis not I that live;
God gives me life, God lives in me:
He feeds my soul, He guides my ways,
And every grief with joy repays.

O Bond of love that dost unite
The servant to his living Lord;
Could I dare live and not requite
Such love - then death were meet reward:
I cannot live unless to prove
Some love for such unmeasured love.

Beloved Lord, in Heaven above
There, Jesus, Thou awaitest me,
To gaze on Thee with endless love;
Yes, thus I hope, thus shall it be:
For how can He deny me Heaven,
Who here on earth Himself hath given?
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Hail, Jesus, Hail: Fr. F.W. Faber

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HAIL, Jesus, hail! who for my sake
Sweet blood from Mary's veins didst take
And shed it all for me:
Oh, blessèd be my Saviour's blood,
My light, my life, my only good,
To all eternity.

To endless ages let us praise
The precious blood, whose price could raise
The world from wrath and sin:
Whose streams our inward thirst appease
And heal the sinner's worst disease,
If he but bathe therein.

Oh, sweetest blood, that can implore 
Pardon of God, and heaven restore,
The heaven which sin had lost;
While Abel's blood for vengeance pleads,
What Jesus shed still intercedes
For those who wrong him most.

Oh, to be sprinkled from the wells
Of Christ's own sacred blood, excels
Earth's best and highest bliss;
The ministers of wrath divine
Hurt not the happy hearts that shine
With those red drops of his.

Ah, there is joy amid the saints,
And hell's despairing courage faints
When this sweet song we raise:
Oh, louder then, and louder still,
Earth with one mighty chorus fill,
The precious blood to praise. 




[18TH CENT.  TR. F.W. FABER, 1814-62]

THE WESTMINSTER HYMNAL, No. 95 

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17 July 2012

At A Wedding Feast In Cana : Anglican Patrimony

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At a wedding feast in Cana
Jesus, Mary, and their friends
joined to celebrate a marriage-
covenant which on Love depends.
And the party it went on
till the bowls of wine were gone.
Mary nudged her Son Christ Jesus,
urged him to step up and please us.

"Dearest woman, let's have no show.
You know well it's not my time."
Mary smiled and told the servants,
"Follow all his words sublime.
Do whatever he may say.
It's the way he'll save the day."
And the servants did her bidding
and to Jesus all were listening.

Jesus guided all their actions
and turned water into wine.
How amazing this great wonder
his first miracle and sign!
It was not to raise the dead
or to heal as it is said,
but to keep a party going --
this his first and wondrous showing.

Let us hearken then to Mary
and do all that Christ shall say.
Heal the sick and feed the hungry,
love the living of each day.
Walk on water when we must,
make disciples of the lost.
Raise the dead and banish demons.
Preach and teach through all the seasons.

Praise and worship to the Father
Laud and glory to the Son,
For the Holy Spirit muster
songs of joy on every tongue.
With Our Lady walk the way
leading to Christ's glorious day
when the faithful rise to meet him
and rejoicing we will greet him!


Words: Copyright © 1998 by Vincent Uher. All rights reserved.
Music: Genevan Psalm 42 ("Comfort, Comfort, ye my people")
Meter: 87877788

O Christ The King, The Royal Banners : Anglican Patrimony

This hymn text was written in honour of The Revd Fr James T Moore, PhD
Founding Pastor, The Catholic Church of Our Lady of Walsingham (Anglican Use), 
Houston, Texas, in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Click on the image below to enlarge it.


+Laus Deo!

"Christ Is Our Hope Whom We Have Seen" : Anglican Patrimony

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Click on each image below in order to enlarge it.


 
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14 July 2012

There's a Voice in the Wilderness Crying

A great hymn text from Canada
by James Lewis Milligan (1876-1961)
based upon Isaiah 40:3-11 
No. 153 in The Hymn Book, 1971

There's a voice in the wilderness crying,
a call from the ways untrod:
Prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
the lofty hills brought low:
make straight all the crooked places
where the Lord our God may go!

O Zion, that bringest good tidings,
get thee up to the heights and sing!
Proclaim to a desolate people
the coming of their King.
Like the flowers of the field they perish,
the works of men decay,
the power and pomp of nations
shall pass like a dream away;

But the word of our God endureth,
the arm of the Lord is strong;
he stands in the midst of nations,
and he will right the wrong.
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd,
and fold the lambs to his breast;
in pastures of peace he'll lead them,
and give to the weary rest.

There's a voice in the wilderness crying,
a call from the ways untrod:
Prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
the lofty hills brought low:
make straight all the crooked places
where the Lord our God may go!

+Get thee up to the heights and sing!

03 July 2010


I had a great friend in the late Right Reverend Leopoldo Jesus Alard, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. In 2003 after learning of his death, I sat down and wrote this hymn text as an expression of my filial love for a wonderful spiritual father, and I hoped to shine a light on the very genuine living martyrdom he endured for Jesus' sake.

Having had some recent requests for it, I feel it is the right time to make it more easily available via this blog. Made popular again at the end of the 20th century coupled with Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith's marvellous poem "Tell Out My Soul", the tune 'WOODLANDS' by Greatorex is known by Christians of all sorts of backgrounds. Set to my text the tune is strong, bright and uplifting. Certainly a more contemplative tune would also work.

As with all my hymns I pray they please the Blessed Trinity and are useful to the Church. And for you, gentle reader, I ask God to impart to you blessings and graces to press on in the upward call of Christ our God.



TO PARADISE

To Paradise may angels lead you home.
The arms of Christ enfold you in his love.
The hosts of heav'n and all saints sing with joy
to welcome you, true friend of Christ our God.

Bearing your cross, you suffered for his sake,
strong as a lion, gentle as a lamb.
Your witness shines from earth to heav'n above.
Christ calls your name, "Well done, my faithful one."

All shall be well. Rest in the peace of God
and rise in glory in the Day of Christ.
All shall be well, and all things turned to joy
when reunited we will see the Lord.


Tune: Woodlands (Greatorex)
Words: Copyright © 2003, 2010 by Vincent Uher.

Please write to me for reprint permissions by email: vuher@alumni.rice.edu


+Laus Deo!

13 June 2010

Hymn to Jesus

It seemed to me a good time to post this hymn again. Christe eleison imas.


Jesus, Son of Mary,
David's heir, we praise thee.

King and High Priest, we acclaim thee:

Splendour of the heavens

As a tiny baby

Child divine of our dear Lady!

Earth doth stand

In thy hand

Past and future holding,

Love and grace enfolding.



Jesus, raised by Joseph,
Master of construction,

Artist and source of instruction.

Worker of great wonders,
To life raising Lazarus,
Bearer of our sins and sadness.

Nails and cross,

Blood and loss,

Sacrifice and mystery --

Masterpiece of mercy.



Jesus Christ, now risen,

In thy mercy listen

To our needs and each petition.

Show us how to serve thee

At this urgent hour.

How we need thy grace and power!

Earth still spins

Mired in sins.

People God-defying.

Innocents are crying.



Jesus, good Physician,
Heal thy Church we pray thee.

By thy Blood defend her daily.

Purify the nations.

Cleanse the ranks of shepherds.

Wash away all false endeavours.

Let us be

One with thee,

Will and purpose pleasing,

Heart and soul appealing.



Words: Copyright © 2002 Vincent Wm. Uher III.
Music: Tysk

26 May 2010

Music of the Anglican Patrimony


A few selections from YouTube illustrating the Anglican Patrimony in anthem and hymnody. May you be blest in the hearing of songs of praise.

Southwark Cathedral: "Litany of the Holy Spirit"


Westminster Abbey: "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"


And a reminder that this Anglican Patrimony can be sung beautifully by Roman Catholics and Anglicans together:
Liverpool Roman Catholic Cathedral: "Thy Hand, O Lord, Has Guided"


+Laus Deo!

27 February 2010

When You in Silence Speak

God, do You hear our prayers

God, do You hear our prayers
Or answer what we pray?
Sometimes it feels as if we are alone today.
So now we seek to understand
Your silence and Your outstretched hand.

Waiting is not our strength
While fears or anger rise.
When illness strikes or when one of our people dies,
Our hearts are stirred by loss and grief,
And hope seems stolen by a thief.

Yet what we learned we know
And here we must proclaim
That no disaster breaks the power of that great Name
Of Jesus Christ who has endured
All that we suffered or deserved.

When You in silence speak
Help us then to rephrase
Our prayers and pattern them to follow Jesus' ways.
So now we dare as did Your Son
to pray Your perfect will be done.

Words: Copyright © 2001 by Vincent Uher.

Tune: 'LOVE UNKNOWN' by John Ireland

Meter: 66 66 44 44

Please feel free to use this in your parish or congregation reprinting it as I have written it and with my copyright notice. Also, feel free to share it with others who may find it helpful in the face of a disaster or a personal tragedy. I only ask that the text be reproduced in its entirety with my copyright. May the Lord bless us all with His peace.

+Laus Deo.

23 January 2010

O WORSHIP JESUS NOW


A favourite but forgotten hymn. If one clicks on the image below, one should then see the image much enlarged and easier to read.


+Laus Deo.

20 December 2009

Lo, How She Brings Life With Her



"Lo, How She Brings Life With Her" is a hymn-text I wrote for the Feast of the Visitation and also for the Fourth Sunday in Advent in Year C of the Lectionary for the Ordinary Form. The first link below gives you my words set to a tune that was once much loved by Episcopalians in the USA and Anglicans elsewhere. The second link below is the same text set to a marvellous new tune by Noel Jones. There is also a setting to the rather well known tune Wie lieblich ist der Maien.

Lo, How She Brings Life With Her -- tune: Far Off Lands

Lo, How She Brings Life With Her -- tune: Ein Kerem (Noel Jones)

Noel Jones requested a suggestion for the name of the new tune, and I offered 'EIN KEREM' which is the village of St. Elisabeth and the place where I wrote down the very first ideas for this text. I love the new tune and hope parishes and congregations will make use of both my words and Noel's tune.

As so many are travelling, I pray for everyone complete safety under the protection of St. Raphael the Archangel. And as we journey to that place where we will keep Christ Mass, let us remember St. Mary the Virgin and St. Joseph the Carpenter and give thanks to God for their humility and for the part they play uniquely in the salvation of our souls through their beloved Jesus, Messiah, Saviour, Lord. God love you all !

06 October 2009

Hymns by Vincent Uher with New Tunes by Noel Jones


Through the CMAA I have been very blest to enter into a collaboration with Noel Jones, a most talented composer. The CMAA is undertaking a project -- now in its alpha state, gathering in resources -- that will result in part in a printed "Parish Book of English Hymns". I am very enthusiastic about this important work, and by way of offering my support I am making available any of my texts that would be useful, licensing them under Creative Commons 3.0 so that they may be reproduced without alteration and without charge.

Noel Jones has such a gift for writing hymn tunes, and working with hymn on this project has been a genuine joy. He has written a lovely new tune for the Hymn of the Year of Priestly Jubilee (Annus Sacerdotalis) which I wrote at the request of Father Mark Daniel Kirby, O.S.B. and dedicated to Bishop Slattery of Tulsa, Father Mark, and the new community Father Mark is gathering together in Tulsa. [If you do not already read Father Mark's blog Vultus Christi, I suggest making it regular reading. Your soul will thank you.] Noel Jones has honoured me greatly by naming the tune after my family name "UHER".

Noel Jones has also written a number of other marvellous tunes for my hymn texts. Very dear to me is the text I wrote in honour of Irma More' the Foundress of Our Lady of Walsingham Institutes of Catholic Culture Studies in Houston Texas. Noel's new tune "WALSINGHAM" is simply perfect for illuminating the text.

  • Click HERE for the new "WALSINGHAM" tune with my text "Christ Is Our Hope Whom We Have Seen".

Also, on the CMAA website the following hymns of mine are paired with excellent Tunes by Noel Jones:

  • "Christ My God, My Faith Discerning" to the tune "ENGLEWOOD": Click HERE. I wrote this text in honour of Mother M. Angelica of the Annunciation on the occasion of her birthday some years ago.
  • "Behold, How Like A Monarch" to the tune "GLASTONBURY TOR": Click HERE.

My prayer is that these texts and tunes will be useful blessings to the Church in the worship of the Blessed Trinity.

My thanks to Jeffrey Tucker, Jonathan Eason, and especially Noel Jones for their encouragement and collaboration.

Laus Deo. +

21 September 2009

Creative Commons and Copyright Issues


I have been slow to recognise the potential in changes in the copyright laws in the USA and the UK. The copyright option known as Creative Commons Attribution - Non-commercial is really what I have been looking for.

I have never asked for a license fee or use fee for my hymn texts. I felt the Living God wanted me to use His gift to make these texts gifts available for the entire Church and for all people.

With that in mind I will be reposting my hymns to this blog with the updated copyright information.

Some friends and family would like me to post more frequently to this blog. It is a good way to let the ones I love know that I am still alive and kicking.

God bless the Church, and God save the nations. Amen.

26 August 2009

Examining the conscience ...



From John and Charles Wesley:

Depth of mercy! can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear -
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

Now inlcine me to repent;
Let me now my sins lament;
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.

There for me the Saviour stands,
Holding forth His wounded hands;
God is love! I know, I feel,
Jesus weeps and loves me still.


Laus Deo. +

10 August 2009

Hymn for the Year of Priestly Jubilee

Annus Sacerdotalis


In honor of
The Most Reverend Edward James Slattery
Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa
And in honor of Father Mark Daniel Kirby and
The Adorers of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, O.S.B.


Friends of Christ, O royal priesthood,
Sing God’s praise for every priest –
Strong and faithful, weak or lonely –
From the greatest to the least.
Brother priests of the Good Shepherd
Called to live the Lamb’s high feast,
Witness to your love of Jesus,
Lord and Master, Great High Priest.

Take the Cross upon your shoulder.
Place your mind within your heart.
Make of Christ your perfect model.
Walk His steps and learn His art.
Beat down Satan with each footstep.
Fight to free each captive soul
Till the world’s deceits and pleasures
Are no longer mankind’s goal.

Learn from Mary Blessed Mother;
Ponder in your hearts God’s grace:
How Christ makes His living presence
Real to feed the human race –
The Atonement raised to heaven
Through the holy hands of priests
For the life of all creation
Christ’s own life, His Heart, His peace.

Forward go the royal banners
Of our Eucharistic King.
The Wise Virgins follow closely
Lamps of seven in offering.
Priests of God guide Christ’s lay faithful
To bring forth their gifts and lights
And to call both friend and stranger
To the Way of Jesus Christ.

Now behold the Cross illumined
By the Uncreated Light.
See your Lord alive and risen
Calling you to share His life
And around Him all assembled
Martyred priests and Saints of God
Calling all of us together
To the Wedding Feast of God.


Copyright © 2009 Vincent William Uher III

Noel Jones has written a beautiful new tune for this text
which can be found HERE.

Other Suggested Tunes:
Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
Beach Spring
Chartres (Hymnal 1940)
In Babilone (Dutch melody)
Hyfrydol
Meter: 8 7 8 7 D


26 May 2009

Hymn for the Visitation


Dear friends in Christ,

It is my sincere desire that this text be shared widely and used freely. Please feel free to post it on your blogs or email it to friends. I give permission for its use provided that my copyright notice is kept intact and that no words are altered.

Our Lady of the Sign, pray for us!

God bless us one and all,

Vincent Uher





Lo, how she brings Life with her
Concealed beneath her heart,
Eve's daughter, brave and chosen,
God's partner to his art.
Her will knit with divine will
Desires his Word be done.
For God she weaves within her
The body of their Son.

Elisabeth her cousin
A child will bring to birth -
God's answer to her longing,
A prophet for the Earth.
"Peace be with you," said Mary.
Her cousin's babe did dance
The merry steps of best man:
The Bridegroom's here, at last.

Elisabeth cried out then,
"The child within me leapt!
When he heard your sweet greeting,
With joy my baby stepped."
She spoke full of the Spirit,
With insight from the Lord,
"How is it you come to me
The Mother of my Lord?"

The Mother of her Lord, yes,
Great Mary, Anna's child,
A daughter born to Israel,
A virgin undefiled,
She sang out as a woman
Brought up on Hannah's song,
"O praise, my soul, God's greatness.
Rejoice, our Lord is strong."

All ages call her blessed
Just as she once foretold.
Blest is she amongst women,
Her Child blest from of old.
Blest is she who believes God
Who carries God's true Word.
Her Son both God and human
Fulfils great Gabriel's word.

Our Saviour, God of mercy,
Remembers Abraham's fold.
Praise God who casts down tyrants.
Rejoice! Our God is bold.
So sing we with blest Mary
To magnify the Lord
Who raised up his handmaiden.
Oh, holy is the Lord!


Copyright © 2006 by Vincent William Uher III


A hymn for Visitation, Fourth Advent, and the Nativity of St. John Baptist

This may be sung to the Bohemian Brethren tune Far Off Lands
or to the lovely tune Wie lieblich ist der Maien




28 November 2008

ALL GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH

Though my house is in ruins, my neighbourhood destroyed, and my City suffering in so many ways, yet my heart is supremely grateful to God Most High for preserving our lives and giving so many an opportunity to begin anew, should they take these grave troubles, raise them up to God in prayer, and receive the gift of His transformation of everything into His Glory and His Kingdom. Happy Thanksgiving to all!



All glory be to God on high!
Peace, laud, and joy be our reply
To angels singing in the sky.
Praise Jesus Christ, true light from light.
Tender his love and great his might,
Christ Jesus, saviour, our delight.

O Word and Wisdom, thee we name,
Jesus the infant, God the same.
Praise and all worship to thy Name.
Son of blest Mary, spotless Lamb,
High Priest most holy, Great I AM,
Receive our lives into thy hand.

Praise God for Joseph, sainted man,
Brave Guardian of God’s saving plan,
Protector of the God-made-man.
Praise God for Mary Mother true,
Faithful to Jesus her life through,
Mother of God, our Mother too.

Lord Jesus Christ, most holy Lord,
With thy blest Spirit be adored
In God’s own glory here outpoured.
Joy now to hear thine infant cries!
Hope of the simple and the wise!
Love from all souls to thee arise!



© 2008 by Vincent Wm. Uher III



TUNE: OLD 113th
(O Mensch, bewein), Strassburger Kirchenamt, 1525
88.88.88


13 July 2008

The Lord will not bless warfare conceived by human greed



The Lord will not bless warfare conceived by human greed.
Christ never blesses violence, but turns to human need :
he sets his face against war that harms humanity
and raises up peacemakers with his integrity.


Christ saves the homeless victim for whom Earth was not home.
He rescues yet the righteous and saves each broken soul.
Christ weighs the works of nations and sees all lies laid bare.
He judges leaders, empires and peoples unaware.


The Lord of all the ages -- who loves both small and great --
insists we love creation, choose peace not wars of hate;
demands we turn from evil and walk his Way alone --
Christ's love of every person, our Gospel to make known.


© 2008 by Vincent Uher


Suggested Tunes: Blairgowrie, King's Lynn, Passion Chorale (O Sacred Head)