hymns brought me such comfort in childhood, that i cannot scorn their poppiness, their clichedness. part of the beauty of catholic hymns (and catholicism) after all IS that, contrary to stereotypes, they are contemporary and so adaptable to popular music. the words and the rythmns and words are ... "so dear to my heart."

Here are recent favourites, already bound up with memories.

Glory And Praise
Glory and praise to our God,
Who alone gives light to our days.
Many are the blessings He bears,
To those who trust in His ways.

We the daughters and sons of Him,
Who built the valleys and plains.
Praise the wonders our God has done,
In every heart that sings.

In His wisdom He strengthens us,
Like gold that's tested in fire.
Though the power of sin prevails,
Our God is there to save.

Every moment of every day,
Our God is waiting to save.
Always ready to seek the lost,
To answer those who pray.

---------

Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Give me joy in my heart, I pray,
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Keep me praising 'till the break of day.

Chorus:
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King.

Give me peace in my heart, keep me praying,
Give me peace in my heart, I pray,
Give me peace in my heart, keep me praying,
Keep me praying 'till the end of day.

Give my oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray,
Give my oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
Keep me burning 'till the end of day.

Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting,
Give me peace in my heart, I pray.
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting,
Keep me resting 'till the end of day.

----

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again;
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
Even for His own Name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff my comfort still.

My table Thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/m/lmysheph.htm


O Lord, you are the center of my life
I will always praise you
I will always serve you
I will always keep you in my sight

Keep me safe O God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord "You are my God,
My happiness lies in you alone,
My happiness lies in you alone."

O Lord, you are the center of my life
I will always praise you
I will always serve you
I will always keep you in my sight

I will bless you, Lord, you give me counsel,
And even at night direct my heart.
I keep you, Lord, ever in my sight
Since you are at my right I shall stand firm.

O Lord, you are the center of my life
I will always praise you
I will always serve you
I will always keep you in my sight.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad
Even in safety shall my body rest
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
Nor let your beloved know decay.

O Lord, you are the center of my life,
I will always praise you
I will always serve you
I will always keep you in my sight.

You will show me the path of life,
The fullness of joy in your presence,
At your right hand, at your right hand
Happiness forever.

O Lord, you are the center of my life,
I will always praise you
I will always serve you
I will always keep you in my sight.

http://cnytr.blogspot.com/2004/06/first-there-was-ave-maria-singles.html

1.
Here in this place, new light is streaming,
now is the darkness vanished away.
See, in this space, our fears and our dreamings,
brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in - the lost and forsaken,
gather us in - the blind and the lame.
Call to us now, and we shall awaken,
we shall arise at the sound of our name.

2.
We are the young - our lives are a mystery,
we are the old - who yearn for your face.
We have been sung throughout all of history,
called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in - the rich and the haughty,
gather us in - the proud and the strong.
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly,
give us the courage to enter the song.

3.
Here we will take the wine and the water,
here we will take the bread of new birth.
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters,
call us anew to be salt for the earth.
Give us to drink the wine of compassion,
give us to eat the bread that is you.
Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion
lives that are holy and hearts that are true.

4.
Not in the dark of buildings confining,
not in some heaven, light years away,
but here in this place, the new light is shining;
now is the Kingdom, now is the day.
Gather us in - and hold us forever,
gather us in - and make us your own.
Gather us in - all peoples together,
fire of love in our flesh and our bone.

http://rockhay.tripod.com/worship/music/hereinthisplace.htm

As The Deer Pants For The Water
(Hymn)

1. As the deer pants for the water,
so my soul longs after You.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship You.
You alone are my strength, my shield,
to You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship You.

2. I want You more than gold or silver,
only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver
and the apple of my eye.
You alone are my strength, my shield,
to You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship You.

3. You’re my Friend and You’re my Brother,
even though You are a king.
I love You more than any other,
so much more than anything.
You alone are my strength, my shield,
to You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship You.


Sing to the mountains
sing to the sea
Raise your voices
lift your hearts
This is the day the Lord has made
Let all the earth rejoice

I will give thanks to you my Lord
You have answered my plea
You have saved my soul from death
You are my strength and my song.

Holy holy holy Lord
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory

This is the day the Lord has made
Let us be glad and rejoice
He has turned all death to life
Sing of the glory of God


----


and finally, the one that is bound up with one of my earliest memories, my father holding me and singing into my ears at st. paul's. i didn't know there was an english version.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God,
and his righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you;
allelu, alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, allelu, alleluia.

Ask and it shall be given unto you,
seek and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you;
alleu, alleluia.