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The Prayer Meeting Podcast is a worship podcast where you are invited to sing, play along, or just listen.

To subscribe to the Prayer Meeting Podcast, click here for iTunes;
click here for Feedburner.

This week’s episode is an extended worship jam based on Lenten hymns, based upon a detailed survey that many of you answered.

3:03 Lord Who Throughout These 40 Days
7:55 Parce Domine
8:15 Turn Back O Man /
9:56 There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy
12:57 Parce Domine
13:20 Our Faith Looks Up To Thee
18:23 Lord Jesus Think on Me
19:55 When Jesus Wept /
21:00 O Lord Have Mercy /
21:36 God Of mercy God of Grace
25:01 Savior When In Dust To Thee
27:22 Cleanse Me
31:31 Attende Domine
34:07 O Love How Deep How Broad How High

Feel free to pass this podcast along to anybody whom you feel would be blessed by it. Also, if you’re a musician or worship leader, feel free to use these songs in your own circles.

If you want access to the Free Lenten Songbook for Guitar, please provide your email address and a link and password will be sent to you.

There is a new survey set up for the best songs for Holy Week. Please complete a survey to help pick the best songs for the next podcast.

PLEASE LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW. THANK YOU!

Lyrics below:

LORD WHO THROUGHOUT THESE 40 DAYS
Claudia Frances Mernaman, 1838-1898
St.FLAVIAN, from John Day’s Psalter

1 Lord! Who throughout these forty days,
For us didst fast and pray,
Teach us with Thee to mourn our sins,
And close by Thee to stay.

2 As Thou with Satan didst contend,
And didst the victory win,
Oh, give us strength in Thee to fight,
In Thee to conquer sin.

3 As Thou didst hunger bear and thirst,
So teach us, gracious Lord,
To die to self, and chiefly live
By Thy most holy Word.

4 And through these days of penitence,
And through Thy Passion-tide,
Yea, evermore, in life and death,
Jesus, with us abide.

5 Abide with us, that so, this life
Of suffering overpast,
An Easter of unending joy
We may attain at last!

PARCE DOMINE
Traditional Plainchant
Translation by Nick Alexander

Parce Domine, parce populo tuo
Ne in aeternum irascaris nobis.

TURN BACK O MAN
Clifford Bax, 1919
OLD 124th; Louis Bourgeois, 1551

THERE’S A WIDENESS IN GOD’S MERCY
Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863)
ST. MABYN

Turn back, O man, forswear thy foolish ways.
Old now is earth, and none may count her days.
Yet thou, her child, whose head is crowned with flame,
Still wilt not hear thine inner God proclaim,
“Turn back, O man, forswear thy foolish ways.”

Earth might be fair, and all men glad and wise.
Age after age their tragic empires rise,
Built while they dream, and in that dreaming weep:
Would man but wake from out his haunted sleep,
Earth might be fair and all men glad and wise.

1 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice,
which is more than liberty.

2. There is welcome for the sinner
And more graces for the good
There is mercy with the Saviour
There is healing in His Blood.

Earth shall be fair, and all her people one:
Nor till that hour shall God’s whole will be done.
Now, even now, once more from earth to sky,
Peals forth in joy man’s old undaunted cry—
“Earth shall be fair, and all her folk be one!”

3. There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgment given.

4. There is plentiful redemption
In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members
In the sorrows of the Head.

PARCE DOMINE
Traditional Plainchant
Translation by Nick Alexander

Pardon us O Lord
Spare us all under Your Name
Do not forever hold Your anger against us.

OUR FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
Ray Palmer, 1830, alt.
OLIVET; Lowell Mason, 1832
New arrangement by Nick Alexander

1 Our faith looks up to thee,
Dear Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear us while I pray;
Please take our guilt away;
O let us from this day
be wholly thine!

2 May thy rich grace impart
strength to our fainting heart,
our zeal inspire;
as thou for us hast died,
O may our love betide
pure, warm, and changeless guide,
make us afire!

3 While life’s dark maze we tread
and griefs around us spread,
be thou our guide;
be thou our guide;
bid darkness turn to day;
wipe sorrow’s tears away;
nor let us ever stray
from thee aside.

4 When life’s swift race is run
Death’s cold work almost done
To us be nigh,
To us be nigh,
Blest Savior then in love
Fear and distrust remove.
O bear us safe above,
Redeemed, anew!

LORD JESUS THINK ON ME
Synesius of Cyrene, 5th century
Tr. by Allen W. Chatfield, 1876
SOUTHWELL, SM;
Damon’s Psalmes, 1579

1 Lord Jesus, think on me,
and purge away my sin.
From earth-born passions set me free,
and make me pure within.

2 Lord Jesus, think on me,
amid the battle’s strife.
In all my pain and misery
be thou my health and life.

3 Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go astray.
Through darkness and perplexity
point thou the heavenly way.

4 Lord Jesus, think on me,
that, when this life is past,
I may th’eternal brightness see,
and share thy joy at last.

WHEN JESUS WEPT
William Billings, 1770

When Jesus wept, the falling tear
In mercy flowed beyond all bound;
When Jesus groaned, a trembling fear
Seized all the guilty world around.

O LORD HAVE MERCY
Nick Alexander

O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

GOD OF MERCY GOD OF GRACE
John Taylor, 1795
AUS DER TIEFE RUFE ICH
Numberg, Gesanbuch, 1676

1 God of mercy, God of grace,
Hear our sad repentant songs
O restore Thy suppliant race
Thou, to Whom our praise belongs

Deep regret for follies past
Talents wasted, time misspent
Hearts debased by worldly cares
Thankless for the blessings lent.

Foolish fears and fond desires
Vain regrets for things as vain,
Lips too seldom taught to praise
Oft to murmur and complain

These and every secret fault
Filled with grief and shame we own
Humbled at Thy feet we lie
Seeking pardon from Thy Throne.

SAVIOR WHEN IN DUST TO THEE
J. Baptiste Calkin (1827-1905)
RAMOTH
New arrangement by Nick Alexander

1 Savior, when in dust to Thee
When, repentant, to the skies
Low we bow the adoring knee;
Scarce we lift our weeping eyes;
Suffered once for man below,
Bending from Thy throne on high,
O, by all Thy pains and woe
Hear our penitential cry!
Hear our penitential cry!

2 By Thy helpless infant years,
By Thy days of sore distress
By Thy life of want and tears,
In the savage wilderness,
By the dread, mysterious hour
Turn, O turn, a fav’ring eye;
Crush the insulting tempter’s pow’r,
Hear our penitential cry!
Hear our penitential cry!

3 By the sacred griefs that wept
By the boding tears that flow’d
O’er the grave where Laz’rus slept;
Over Salem’s loved abode
By the anguished sigh that told
Thee from Thy Seat ‘bove the sky
Treachery lurked within Thy fold.
Hear our penitential cry!
Hear our penitential cry!

CLEANSE ME
J. Edwin Orr
New arrangement by Nick Alexander

1 Search us, O God, and know our hearts today;
try us, O Savior, know our thoughts, we pray.
See if there be some wicked way in us;
cleanse me from every sin, Lord Jesus.

2 Lord, take our lives, come make them wholly Thine;
fill our poor hearts with Thy great love divine.
Take all our wills, our passions, selves, and pride;
We now surrender, Lord–in Thee we abide.

We praise Thee Lord, You cleanse us from sin
Fulfill Your Word, purify within
You fill us with fire, where we burned with shame
Come magnify Your Name.

ATTENDE DOMINE
Latin, 10th Century
Tr. by Nick Alexander
Melody From Paris Processional, 1824

Attende Domine, et miserere,
Quia peccavimus tibi.
Attend to our prayers, Lord
And grant us mercy
For we have trespassed against You.

1. Ad te Rex summe,
Omnium Redemptor,
Oculos nostros
Sublevamus flentes:
Exaudi, Christe,
Supplicantum preces.

To You King all Sovereign
You, the All Redeemer
The eyes of us all
Are lifted, yet weeping
Can you hear us, Christ
Our petitions and prayers?

2. Rogamus, Deus,
Tuam majestatem:
Auribus sacris
Gemitus exaudi:
Crimina nostra
Placidus indulge.

We beseech Thee God
To You, Your Majesty
Your ears, though, sacred
Our groanings You still hear
Our crimes against us
With calm, wilt Thou forgive.

O LOVE HOW DEEP HOW BROAD HOW HIGH
Ascribed to St. Thomas Aquinas, 15th c.
Tr. by Benjamin Webb, 1854, 1871
DEO GRACIAS (or AGINCOURT HYMN)
Anon. 1415

1 O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
beyond all thought and fantasy,
that God, the Son of God, should take
our mortal form for mortals’ sake.

2 For us baptized, for us he bore
his holy fast and hungered sore;
for us temptations sharp he knew,
for us, the tempter overthrew.

3 All glory laud, and honor be,
O Jesus virgin born to Thee;
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost, forevermore.

All songs are in the public domain, or used by permission.

To subscribe to the Prayer Meeting Podcast, click here for iTunes;
click here for Feedburner.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Prayer Meeting Podcast is a worship podcast where you are invited to sing, play along, or just listen. Music notation of these songs are available at www.prayermeetingpodcast.com .  This week’s episode is an extended worship jam based on familiar and (should-be familiar) Christmas Carols.

1:57    Break Forth O Beauteous Heav’nly Light/Hark The Herald Angels Sing
6:17    The Huron Carol
10:08    Away in a Manger / Polish Lullaby
14:00    Dominus Dixit (chant)
15:14    Ring Out Ye Wild and Merry Bells
17:16    Hallelujah Hallelujah
19:03    Adeste Fideles/Gloria (ding dong merrily…)
23:56    O Holy Night
29:05    Come and Worship (Angels From The Realms of Glory)
31:43    While by my Sheep (How Great Our Joy)
33:30    Joy to the World
35:00    All My Heart This Night Rejoices
37:08    All Praise To You, Eternal Lord
41:04    Silent Night

Feel free to pass this podcast along to anybody whom you feel would be blessed by it.  Also, if you’re a musician or worship leader, feel free to use these songs in your own circles.

PLEASE LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW.  THANK YOU!

There is a Free Christmas Carol Songbook For Guitar available to anybody who signs up to the Nick Alexander/Prayer Meeting Podcast mailing list.

BREAK FORTH O BEAUTEOUS HEAV’NLY LIGHT/HARK THE HERALS ANGELS SING
Johann von Rist (1641); Ermuntre Dich

Break forth O beauteous heav’nly light
And usher in the morning.
You shepherd, shudder not with afright
But hear the ange’s warning.
This Child now weak in infancy
Our confidence and joy shall be
The pow’r of Satan breaking
Our peace eternal making.

Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

Break forth O beauteous heav’nly light
To herald our salvation.
He stoops to earth, the God of might
Our hope and expectation.
He comes in human flesh to dwell
Our God with us, Immanuel
The night of darkness ending
Our fallen race befriending.

Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth.

Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

THE HURON CAROL
Jean de Brebeuf (1643)
Tr. by J.E. Middleton, 1926; alt.

‘Twas in the moon of wintertime
When all the birds had fled
That mighty angel Gabriel
Sent angel choirs instead
Before their light the stars grew dim
And wondering hunters heard the hymn.

Jesus your King is born
Jesus is born
In excelsis gloria.

Within a cave of scattered hay
The tender babe was found
A ragged robe of warm sheep-skin
En-wrapped His beauty round
But as the shepherd boys drew nigh
The angel song rang loud and high.

Jesus your King is born
Jesus is born
In excelsis gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime
Is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory
On the helpless Infant there
The Kings that knelt before Him were
With gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Jesus your King is born
Jesus is born
In excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free
O seed of Babylon
The holy Child of earth and Heav’n
For you this day was born.
Come kneel before the radiant Boy
Who brings you beauty, peace and joy.

Jesus your King is born
Jesus is born
In excelsis gloria.

Public Domain

AWAY IN A MANGER / POLISH LULLABY
Away in A Manger words anonymous;
Tune by William J Kirkpatrick
Polish Lullaby (Lulajze Jezuniu)
Tr. by Anonymous

Away In a Manger, no Crib For a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky
Look’d down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes
I love Thee Lord Jesus!
Look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle Till morning is nigh.

Lullaby Jesus, O cease from Your crying
Here on your Mother’s warm breast softly lying.
Lullaby, Jesus, O sleep now, my treasure
Mother is watching with love none can measure.
Lullaby, Jesus, O sleep now, my treasure
Mother is watching with love none can measure.

See how the world lies
In sorrow and sadness
Give us Your blessing,
O bring Heaven’s gladness
Lullaby, Jesus, O sleep now, my treasure
Mother is watching with love none can measure.
Lullaby, Jesus, O sleep now, my treasure
Mother is watching with love none can measure.

Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, And love me, I pray
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
And fit us for heaven,
To live with Thee there.

DOMINUS DIXIT (Chant)

Dominus dixit ad me
Filius meus es tu
Ego hodie genui te

Lord God had said to me:
Dearest Son, Mine own art Thou.
I have this very day begotten Thee.

RING OUT YE WILD AND MERRY BELLS
Words: unknown; Composer: C. Maitland

Ring out Ye wild and Merry Bells
Ring out the old old story
That first was told by angel tongues from out the realms of Glory.
Peace onearth was their sweet song
Glory in the Highest!
Echoing all the hills away,
Glory in the Highest!

Ring sweet bells, ring evermore
Peal from every steeple.
Christ the Lord shall be our God
And we shall be His people!

Ring out, ye silv’ry bells, ring out
Ring out your exultation
That God with man is reconciled
Go tell it to the nations.
Therefore let us all today
Glory in the Highest!
Banish sorrow far away
Glory in the Highest!

HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH
Isaac Naylor

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!
Amen, Amen! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!

Public Domain

ADESTE FIDELES/GLORIA (DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH)
Adeste, fideles, Laeti triumphantes;
Venites, venite in Bethlehem;
Nahum videte Regem angelorum

Venite adoremus
Venite adoremus
Venite adoremus Dominum.

Deum de Deo, Lumen de lumine,
Gestant puellae viscera;
Deum verum, Genitum non factum:

Gloria, Hosanna in Excelsis.

Cantet nunc Io! Chorus angelorum:
Cantet nunc aula caelestium:
Gloria, gloria, In excelsis Deo!

Erego qui natus Die hodierna,
Jesu tibi sit gloria:
Patris aeterni Verbum caro factum!

O HOLY NIGHT
Adolphe Adam (1847); John Sullivan Dwight (1855)

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born

O night, O holy night! O night divine.

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here comes the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!

COME AND WORSHIP (ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY)
Come and Worship, Come and Worship
Worship Christ the Newborn King!

WHILE BY MY SHEEP
While by my sheep I watched at night
Glad tidings brought an angel bright.

How great my joy, great my joy
Joy Joy Joy! Joy Joy joy!
Praise to the Lord in Heaven on high.

There shall be born, so he did say
In Bethlehem, a Child today.

There shall He lie, in manger mean,
Who shall redeem the world from sin.

Lord, evermore to me be night
Then shall my heart be filled with joy!

JOY TO THE WORLD
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing!
And heaven and nature sing!
And heaven and heaven and nature sing!

Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and gloods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat repeat the sounding joy

ALL MY HEART THIS NIGHT REJOICES
Paul Gerhadt (1656),
Tr. Catherine Winkworth (1827-78)
WARUM SOLLTICH

All my heart this night rejoices
As I hear, far and near, sweetest angel voices
“Christ is born!” their choirs are singing.
Till the air, ev’rywhere,Now with joy is ringing.

Hear! the conquereor has spoken:
“Now the foe, sin and woe,
Death and hell are broken!”
God is man, man to deliver,
And the Son, now is one with our blood forever.

Come, then, banish all your sadness!
One and all, great and small,
come with songs of gladness
We shall live with Him forever.
There on high, in that joy, which shall vanish never.

ALL PRAISE TO YOU, ETERNAL LORD
Martin Luther; FESTUS; Johann
New arrangement by Nick Alexander

All praise to You, eternal Lord
Who wore the garb of flesh and blood
And chose a manger for Your throne
While worlds on worlds were Yours alone

Once did the skies, before You bow
A virgin’s arms contain You now
While angels who in You rejoice
Now listen for Your infant voice.

Dear Little Child, You are Guest
That weary ones in You may rest;
Forlorn and lonely, that was Your birth
That we, that we may rise from heaven to earth.

You came down in that darkest night
To make us children of the light,
To make us in the realms divine
Like Your own angels round You shine.

All this for us Your love has done;
By this to You our love is won;
For this ourjoyful songs we raise
For this we sing Your ceaseless praise.

SILENT NIGHT

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This week’s Prayer Meeting Podcast is an extended worship jam based on the theme of Advent.

1:27 Creator of the Stars of Night
3:25 Wake Awake for Night is Flying/All Our Trials
8:42 O Come, Divine Messiah
11:33 O Come O Come Emmanuel
15:40 Arise the Kingdom is at Hand
18:32 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus/ Be Still and Know
21:50 How Brightly Beams the Morning Star
25:47 Hark a Herald Voice is Sounding
28:15 Behold, the Bridegroom Comes

Feel free to pass this podcast along to anybody whom you feel would be blessed by it. Also, if you’re a musician or worship leader, feel free to use these songs in your own circles.

I have compiled all of the songs into one master Advent resource.  To download, right click “The Free Advent Hymn Songbook for Guitar“ and select “Save As.”  You have my permission to use these in your own circles.  Enjoy.

Lyrics below:

CREATOR OF THE STARS OF NIGHT
Latin 9th century
CONDITOR ALME

Creator of the stars of night
Thy people’s everlasting light
Jesus, Redeemer of us all
And hear Thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
Should doom to death a universe,
Hast found the medicine, full of grace,
To save and heal a ruined race.

Thou cam’st, the Bridegroom of the bride,
As drew the world to evening-tide;
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The spotless Victim all divine.

At Whose dread Name, majestic now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
And things celestial Thee shall own,
And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

O Thou Whose coming is with dread
To judge and doom the quick and dead,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every insult of the foe.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.

WAKE AWAKE FOR NIGHT IS FLYING/ ALL OUR TRIALS
Philip Nicolai, 1599
Harm. by J.S. Bach, 1731

“All our trials” – Spiritual

1 “Wake, awake, for night is flying,”
the watchmen on the heights are crying;
“Awake, Jerusalem, arise!”
Midnight hears the welcome voices
and at the thrilling cry rejoices:
“Where are the maidens pure and wise?
The Bridegroom comes: Awake!
Your lamps with gladness take!
Alleluia!
With bridal care and faith’s bold prayer,
to meet the Bridegroom, come, prepare!”

2 Zion hears the watchmen singing,
and in her heart new joy is springing.
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord comes down all-glorious
and strong in grace, in truth victorious.
Her star is risen, her light is come!
Now come, O Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God’s own Son.
Sing hosanna!
We answer all in joy your call;
we follow to the wedding hall.

All our trials, Lord, soon be over.

3 Lamb of God, the heavens adore you,
the saints and angels sing before you
with harp and cymbals’ clearest tone.
Of one pearl each shining portal,
where, joining with the choir immortal,
we gather round your radiant throne.
No eye has seen that light,
no ear the echoed might
of your glory;
yet there shall we in victory
sing shouts of joy eternally!

Public Domain

O COME DIVINE MESSIAH
Abbe Simon-Joseph Pellegrin 1663-1745
Tr. by Sr. Mary of St. Philip 1825-1904

O come, divine Messiah;
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph
And sadness flee away

O Christ, whom nations sigh for,
Whom priest and prophet long foretold
Come, break the captive’s fetters,
Redeem the long lost fold.

Dear Savior haste!
Come, come to earth.
Dispel the night and show Your face
And bid us hail the dawn of grace.
O come, divine Messiah;
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph
And sadness flee away

You come in peace and meekness
And lowly will Your cradle be
All clothed in human weakness
Shall we Your Godhead see.

O COME O COME EMMANUEL
Latin 9th Century
Arr. by Nick Alexander

1 O come, O come, Immanuel,
Come ransom captive Israel.
O come, Dear Wisdom from on high,
O come, yes, come, Great Lord of might,

Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel!
Behold, shall come, Emmanuel.

2. O come, You Bright and Morning Star,
Come, bring us comfort from afar!
O come, Great King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.

3. O come, teach us Your ways to go.
To us, Your path of knowledge show
O come, Dear Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home.

ARISE THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND
Johann Rist, 1651 Tr. by Cath. Winkworth, 1858
verses added H. Lewars, 1913
Mel. 1598

Arise, the Kingdom is at hand
The King is drawing nigh
Arise with joy, you faithful band
To meet the Lord most high!
Go forth in bright array
He comes salvation bringin
With loud hosannas singing
Go meet Him on His way.
Go meet Him on His way.

Look up, you drooping hearts today!
The King is very near:
Oh, cast your griefs and fears away
For lo, your Help is here!
He is your very Lord;
His kingdom with you sharing
High comfort to you bearing,
In Sacrament and Word
In Sacrament and Word

Arise with footsteps joyous
You Saviour King to greet
He comes, the Prince all glorious
Strong God, yet gentle, sweet.
Come all with one accord;
Your hearts with ardor yearning
Your lamps well trimmed and burning
Go forth to meet Your Lord.
Go forth to meet Your Lord.

Public Domain

COME THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS
HYFRODOL; Rowland H. Prichard, 1811-1887

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s hope and consolation
Hope of all the strength Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart.

Public Domain

BE STILL AND KNOW
Author unknown

Be still and know that He is God
He is the Lord that heals Thee.
In You, O Lord, we put our trust.

Copyright unknown.

HOW BRIGHTLY BEAMS THE MORNING STAR
Johann Adolf Schlegel 1765
Tr. by Catherine Winkworth 1863
Tune: WIE SCHON LEUCHTET

How brightly beams the morning star
What sudden radiance from afar
Doth glad us with its shining?
The ray of God that breaks our night
And fills the darkened souls with light
Who long for truth we’re pining
Thy Word, Jesus,
Truly feeds us, rightly leads us
Life bestowing.
Praise, oh praise such love o’erflowing.

Through Thee alone can we be blest;
Then deep be on our hearts imprest
The love that Thou hast borne us
So make us ready to fulfill
With burning zeal Thy holy will,
Though men may vex or scorn us;
Savior, let us,
Never lose Thee, For we choose Thee
Thirst to know Thee.
All we are and have we owe Thee!

O praise to Thee who came to save
You conquered death and burst the grave;
Each day new praise resoundeth.
You are the Lamb who once was slain,
The Friend whom none shall trust in vain
Whose grace always aboundeth;
Sing, you heavens:
Tell the story of His glory
Till His praises
Flood with light earth’s darkest places.

Public Domain

HARK A HERALD VOICE IS SOUNDING
Latin 6th Century
En clara vox redarguit
Tr. by Fr. E. Caswall, 1695
Tune: Merton (Monk) 1850

Hark a herald voice is sounding
“Christ is nigh!” it seems to say;
Cast away the dreams of darkness
O ye children of the day!

Startled at the solemn warning
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ her sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies

Lo! the Lamb so long expected
Comes with pardon down from heav’n.
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow.
One and all to be forgiv’n.

So when next He comes with glory,
Shrouding all the earth in fear
May He then as our Defender
On the clouds of heav’n appear.

Honour, glory, virtue, merit
To the Father and the Son
With the coeternal Spirit
While eternal ages run.

Public Domain

BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM COMES
George A. Macfarren (alt.)
MIDNIGHT
New arrangement by Nick Alexander

Behold the Bridegroom comes
Arise in the middle of the night
And blest is he prepared and steeled
Whose lamp is burning bright;
But woe to that dull servant, whom his Master shall surprise
With lamp untrimmed, unburning and with slumber in his eyes.

Keep watch, my soul, keep watch, beware
Lest you in sleep, sink down
Unless you be giv’n o’er to death
And lose your golden crown
But see that you be sober
With a watchful eye, and thus
Cry “holy, holy, holy God
Have mercy upon us!”

That day of fear shall come
My soul, slack not your toil
But light your lamp and feed it well
Make it bright with oil
You do not know how soon may sound that cry at eventide
Behold our Bridegroom comes; Arise!
He comes to meet His Bride

Beware my soul, take your good heed
Let you in slumber lie
And like the five, remain withou,
And knock and vainly cry;
But watch and bear your lamp undimmed,
And Christ shall gird you on
His own bright wedding robe light
The Glory of the Son.

That day of joy shall come
My soul, slack not your toil
So light your lamp and feed it well
Make it bright with oil
You do not know how soon may sound that cry at eventide
Behold our Saviour comes; Arise!
He comes to meet His Bride

Public Domain

Do you have a favorite Advent song?  Share it in the comments box below.

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Feel free to download any song notation and use it in your own circles.  May these songs bless you this coming Thanksgiving season.

NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD
Johann Cruger, Marin Rinkart

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills, in this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

Public Domain

WE LIVE BECAUSE OF YOU
AUthor Unknown

We Live because of You, Lord
We Live because of You
Ev’rything You have is ours Lord
We Live because of You

Copyright unknown

PSALM 8
Author unknown

O Lord, our Lord how majestic Your Name is
How great is Thy Name in all the earth
Who hast set Your glory above the high heavens
And stilleth Your foes through a Child in its birth.

When I think on Your heavens the work of Your fingers
The moon and the stars which You have ordained
What is man in Your mem’ry a man that You mindest
The son of the man that You carest for him?

Copyright unknown

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
Author unknown

Praise and thanksgiving let everyone bring
Unto our Father for ev’ry good thing!
All together joyfully sing.

Copyright unknown

WE PLOW THE FIELDS
Johann A.P. Schulz, 1800; CLAUDIUS

We plow the fields, and scatter the good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.

Refrain

All good gifts around us
Are sent from heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
For all His love.

He only is the Maker of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star;
The winds and waves obey Him, by Him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread.

Refrain

We thank Thee, then, O Father, for all things bright and good,
The seed time and the harvest, our life, our health, and food;
No gifts have we to offer, for all Thy love imparts,
But that which Thou desirest, our humble, thankful hearts.

O LORD I THANK YOU/THANK YOU THANK YOU JESUS
Author unknown/Author unknown

O Lord I thank You, I really thank You
I just thank You all the days of my life.
O Lord I thank You, I really thank You
I just thank You all the days of my life.

When I was hungry, Lord You fed me
When I was hungry, Lord You fed me
When I was hungry, Lord You fed me
And I just thank You all the days of my life.

When I was broken, Lord You healed me
When I was broken, Lord You healed me
When I was broken, Lord You healed me
And I just thank You all the days of my life.

When I was lonely, Lord You came to me
When I was lonely, Lord You came to me
When I was lonely, Lord You came to me
And I just thank You all the days of my life.

Thank You, thank You Jesus
Thank You, thank You Jesus
Thank You, thank You Jesus in my heart
O thank You, thank You Jesus
Thank You, thank You Jesus
Thank You, thank You Jesus in my heart

Copyright unknown

GIVE THANKS TO GOD MOST HIGH
Isaac Watts; Darwall’s 148th

Give thanks to God most high,
The universal Lord,
The sovereign King of kings;
And be His grace adored.
His power and grace
Are still the same;
And let His Name
Have endless praise.

How mighty is His hand!
What wonders He has done!
He formed the earth and seas,
And spread the heav’ns alone.
Your mercy, Lord,
It shall endure;
And ever sure,
Abide Your word.

He sent his only Son
To save us from our woe,
From Satan, sin, and death,
And every hurtful foe.
Your power and grace
Are still the same;
And let his name
Have endless praise.

Give thanks aloud to God,
To God the heav’nly King;
And let the spacious earth
His works and glories sing.
Thy mercy, Lord,
Shall still endure;
And ever sure
Abide Your word.

Public Domain

EGO AUTEM
Roman Gradual

Ego autem in Dómino sperávi:
Exsultábo, et laetábor in túa misericórdia
Quia respexísti humilitátem méam.

I profess now, the Lord, my God I do trust
I will exult and be joyful
in Your own steadfast love and mercy
because You have noticed this affliction upon me.

Public Domain

THANKS TO GOD FOR MY REDEEMER
August Ludvig Storm (1862-1914)  Tr. by Carl E. Backstrom (1901-1984), alt.
Tune: John A. Hultman (1861-1942)  TACK O GUD

Thank You God, You’re Our Redeemer
And for all that You provide
Thanks for times in all our mem’ries
You came, Jesus, to our side
Thank You for Your soothing springtime
Thanks for dark and dreary fall!
And our tears, now long forgotten
‘Twas Your peace placed in our souls!

Thank You for pray’rs that You’ve answered
And for pray’rs which You’ve denied!
And for storms that we’ve had weathered
Thanks for all that You’ve supplied
Thanks for pain and thanks for pleasure
Thanks for comfort in despair
Lord, Your grace no one can measure
And Your love’s beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by our wayside
And for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow
And Your gift of heav’nly peace!
And Your hope, today, tomorrow
And for all eternity!

Public Domain; Discovered at hymnary.com

Extended Thanksgiving Worship Set !!!!!!!!

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This episode is the first podcast in its new format, namely, a straight worship session.  If you are interested in the music notation, right-click and download each of the titles.  This worship set was crafted by Nick Alexander.

1. LIFT JESUS HIGHER
Author Unknown
Lift Jesus higher, Lift Jesus higher
Lift Him up for the world to see
He said “If I be lifted up from the earth
I will draw all men unto me.”

Public Domain

2. COME GO WITH ME TO THAT LAND
Author Unknown

Come go with me to that land
Come go with me to that land
Come go with me to that land where I’m bound
Come go with me to that land
Come go with me to that land
To that land, to that land, where I’m bound.

2. Be singing and dancing n that land…
3. There’s milk + honey in that land…
4. You’re gonna meet Jesus in that land…
5. Well, don’tcha know heaven is…

Public Domain

3. IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE
Walter Chalmers Smith, 1824-1908; Welsh Melody (p.d.)
v.2 Nick Alexander (based on Introit)

1. Immortal, Invisible, God only wise
In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days
Almighty, victorious, Your Great Name we praise!

2. Our God says these words,     for He’s gracious and true:
“Just call upon Me,     and I will answer you.
I will think thoughts of peace, and not of affliction.
And I’ll lead back your captives from ev’ry nation.”

3. Great Father of glory, Pure Father of light
Your angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
Of all Your rich graces, Lord, this grace impart:
Take-the veil from our faces, this veil from our hearts.

Public Domain

4. SOFTLY AND TENDERLY
Will L. Thompson (1847-1909)

1. Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals – he’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Come home, come home;
You who are weary – come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

3. Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

4. O for the wonderful love  he has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy + pardon,
Pardon for you and for me..

Public Domain

5. AMEN DICO VOBIS
Roman Gradual; Tr. by Nick Alexander

1. Amen díco vóbis, quídquid orántes pétitis,
crédite quia accipiétis, et fíet vóbis.

2. Verily, I say to you, ev’ry prayer that you request
Be confident that you have received it,
And it shall be yours.

Public Domain

6. O SAY, BUT I’M GLAD
Rev. James P. Sullivan, Mildred E. Sullivan

1. There is a song in our hearts today
Something we’ve never had
Jesus, You’ve taken our sins away
O say, but we’re glad!

O say, but we’re glad, we’re glad!
O say, but we’re glad!
Jesus, You’ve come and our cups’ overrun
O say, but we’re glad!

2. Wonderful, marvelous love You bring
Into a heart that’s sad
Through darkest tunnels the soul just sings
O say, but we’re glad!

Public Domain

7. I WILL BLESS THEE, O LORD
Author Unknown

We will bless You, O Lord,
We will bless You, O Lord
With a heart of thanksgiving,
We will bless You, O Lord

With our hands lifted up
And our mouths filled with praise
With a heart of thanksgiving,
We will bless You, O Lord

Copyright unknown

8. O, HOW I LOVE JESUS
Author Unknown

O, how we love Jesus
O, how we love Jesus
We love You so, Jesus
Because You have first loved us!

Copyright unknown