A hymn from the Foundling Hospital Hymnbook in the programme this week. Back in the mid-18th century, the chapel there was the place to go for your Sunday sermon, with music provided by the likes of George Frederic Handel on occasion. We've also hymns with a mercy theme.
Coloured engraving of London’s Foundling Hospital, 1753 by T. Bowler Photo: Wellcome Collection
SONG: IN CHRIST ALONE
Artist: St Michael’s Singers, Coventry Cathedral
Words/Music: Getty, Townend
Recording: Integrity Music 2007
In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
SONG: WHO IS HE IN YONDER STALL
Artist: Elora Festival Singers, Noel Edison (dir), Michael Bloss (organ)
Words/Music: Hanby/Hanby
Recording: Naxos 8.573421
Who is he in yonder stall
at whose feet the shepherds fall?
Refrain:
'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
'Tis the Lord, the King of glory;
at his feet we humbly fall,
crown him, crown him Lord of all!
Who is He, who stands and weeps,
at the grave where Laz’rus sleeps?
Refrain:
Who is he in Calvary's throes
asks for blessings on his foes?
Refrain:
Who is he who from the grave
comes to seek and help and save?
Refrain:
SONG: TAMA NGAKAU MARIE
Artist: Festival Singers, Wellington
Words/Music: Trad
Recording: Festivity Productions FPCD2007
|
Tama ngākau mārie |
Son of peace |
SONG: SPIRIT OF MERCY, TRUTH AND LOVE
Artist: Choir of Newcastle Cathedral, Scott Farrell (dir), Michael Dutton (organ)
Words/Music: Anon/Anon arr Shaw
Recording: Priory PRCD 720
Spirit of mercy, truth, and love,
O shed Thine influence from above;
And still from age to age convey
The wonders of this sacred day.
In every clime, by every tongue,
Be God's surpassing glory sung:
Let all the listening earth be taught
The wonders by our Saviour wrought.
Unfailing Comfort, heavenly Guide,
Still o'er Thy holy Church preside;
Still let mankind Thy blessings prove;
Spirit of mercy, truth, and love.
SONG: KYRIE ELEISON
Artist: St Thomas’ Music Group, Margaret Rizza (dir)
Words/Music: Trad/Rizza
Recording: Kevin Mayhew
Kyrie, eleison
Christe, eleison
Kyrie, exaudi nos, Domine
Kyrie, eleison
Christe, eleison
Kyrie, eleison
Christe, exaudi nos, Domine.
[Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, hear us
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Christ, hear us.]
SONG: THERE’S A WIDENESS IN GOD’S MERCY
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Gough (dir), Rupert(organ)
Words/Music: Faber/Bevan
Recording: Hyperion 112105
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice,
Which is more than liberty.
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.
For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man’s mind;
And the heart of the eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.
But we make his love too narrow
By false limits of our own;
And we magnify his strictness
With a zeal he will not own.
There is plentiful redemption
In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members
In the sorrows of the head.
There is grace enough for thousands
Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations
In that upper home of bliss.
If our love were but more simple,
We should take him at his word;
And our lives would be all goodness
In the joy of Christ our Lord.
SONG: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir), Rupert Gough (organ)
Words/Music: Chisholm/Runyon
Recording: Hyperion 112105
"Great is thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been thou for ever wilt be.
Refrain:
"Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!"
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed thy hand hath provided,
"Great is thy faithfulness," Lord unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Refrain:
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Refrain:
SONG: GOD BE WITH YOU ‘TIL WE MEET AGAIN
Artist: The American Boychoir, James Litton (dir)
Words/Music: Rankin/Vaughan Williams
Recording: EMI 948306
God be with you till we meet again,
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you,
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again,
When life’s perils thick confound you,
Put His arms unfailing round you,
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again,
’Neath His wings protecting hide you,
Daily manna still divide you,
God be with you till we meet again.
