"The gospel is social as well as personal." – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Here are all the songs I wrote about (or mentioned) in one place. Some of these are on a Spotify playlist. "The People Who Walked in Darkness" - Mary Louise Bringle "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" - Traditional "My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout/Canticle of the Turning/Star of County Down" - Arr. John … Continue reading Blogmas Day 25: The MIXTAPE
"Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates" is one of the last songs I learned in seminary. This song was composed by William Mathias. The version I linked to was performed by the St. Albans Abbey Girls Choir and released in 2016. Lift up your heads, O ye gates! Lift up your heads, O ye … Continue reading Blogmas Day 24: “Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates”
I was halfway through writing a post about "Holy Is His Name"by John Michael Talbot when I realized I had already written about another arrangement of the Magnificat. So, I shall reluctantly change gears. Today's song is actually going to be "Days of Elijah" by Robin Mark. These are the days of Elijah, Declaring the … Continue reading Blogmas Day 23: “Days of Elijah”
Today's song for the fourth and final Sunday in Advent is "Like You Promised" by Amber Brooks. I think this is a great song for an Advent that looks ahead to Christ's coming and the promise of the Holy Spirit. It's one of those songs that remind us that not only is there an Advent … Continue reading Blogmas Day 22: Fourth Sunday in Advent: LOVE
I sang this song, "The Night that Christ Was Born," in college, when I used to be in the gospel choir. This song was written by Kirk Franklin and arranged by Cliff Duren. It's a classic African-American gospel Christmas song. The lyrics are as follows: [Verse 1:] Listen to the angels Rejoicing e'er so sweetly … Continue reading Blogmas Day 21: “The Night that Christ Was Born”
(Because I already started working on this post last night, I'm going to pretend it's still December 20th. Don't tell anyone--Shh...) 1 Keep your lamps trimmed an burning, keep your lamps trimmed and burning, keep your lamps trimmed and burning, for the time is drawing nigh. Refrain: Children, don't grow weary, children, don't grow weary, … Continue reading Blogmas Day 20: “Keep Your Lamps!”
As you can probably tell, with the exception of the fourth Sunday in Advent, I have pretty much run out of hymns/classical Christmas/Advent songs to post, and I am now in my second comfort zone: Contemporary Christian Music, also known as CCM, with some modern gospel sprinkled in. Today's song is "Holy" by Kim Walker-Smith … Continue reading Blogmas Day 19: “Holy” — Worship Pt. 4
O Come Let Us Adore Him. It is part of the chorus to O Come, All Ye Faithful, but it has also become a song in its own right. Today (or rather, tonight--because I make most of these posts at the end of the day) I will be discussing two of these songs: Emmanuel by Norman … Continue reading Blogmas Day 18: “O Come Let Us Adore Him”
I believe that this song I am about to discuss--"Hallelujah, Salvation, and Glory"--is one of the best gospel arrangements in history. Originally arranged by Stephen Hurd for choir, the lyrics follow: Hallelujah, salvation and glory Honor and power unto the Lord, our God For the Lord, our God, is mighty Yes, the Lord, our God … Continue reading Blogmas Day 17: “Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory” – Worship, Pt. 3
Yesterday, on the third Sunday in Advent, we lit the pink candle for JOY. (Because, of course pink is synonymous with joy). So, in accordance with this theme, let's talk about "Joy to the World." We're going back to the Glory to God hymnal, #134. (I linked the Whitney Houston version because I like it better). … Continue reading Blogmas Day 15: “Joy to the World!”
