Mass of the Ascension
By way of introduction:
This music for the Eucharist and other moments of liturgical prayer is the fruit of years of work. Source and summit of our faith, the Eucharist is where we perform what we believe, through actions, words and music. We need to continually “sing a new song” into this core reality of our lives. The intent in this music is to create liturgical spaces that are both prayerful and melodic, born of past chants and current musical styles… with an eye on the life in faith if the future generations.
Lyrics
On This Sacred Ground
On This Sacred Ground – composed and performed with Toni Janke – could open any prayer space in ways that respectfully recognise our Elders.
LYRICS:
Ancient ways, open paths
Grounded firm, growing fast
There’s no moving forward without looking back
We acknowledge the future has a past
On this sacred ground
Our Elders are dreaming dreams and our children speak words of truth
And our young people have a vision of all-in living in a world
that tastes of justice and fairness and wholeness and healing (of a)
A ground that is groaning in need of your Spirit
Liv- ing breath, we pray
breathe through us to – day
Lord lead us and guide us, sustain us and teach us new ways to be
We are one with creation, the Dreaming, the Spirit – throughout history
Though we know we are just passing through this place
Give us the courage, the wisdom and grace
Living breath, we pray
breathe through us today
Can I have this Dance
Can I have this Dance is an offertory song, of sorts.
LYRICS:
Can I have this dance?
This is my body
Can I have this dance?
Broken for you . . .
Can I have this dance
The shortest route from me to You is unfolding right before my eye
This is my blood
Can I have this dance?
Poured out for as many . . .
Can I have this dance?
As the eye can see, lovely in limbs, in eyes not his . . .
Magnify your voice in mine: so close to me, an echo free . . .
Can I have this dance?
Body sways, where words always fail: so, taste and see!
Come move in me
Can I have this dance? . . .
God by Any Other Name
God by Any Other Name works well as a
communion reflection.
Lyrics God by any Other Name:
In the name of the Father, the name of the Son, the name of the Holy Spirit
In the name of the Mother, the name of her child, the name of the Living Breath,
I pray…. I pray.
Blessed are you God of all creation
Through you we receive…
Bread and wine for the praise and the glory of God and the good of a church
gathered in your name.
In the name of the Father, the name of the Son, the name of the Holy Spirit
For the sake of my Mother, the sake of her daughter,
the love of the Living Breath,
I seek…your Face; I name…your Grace.
Holy, Holy, Holy are You. Heaven and earth are alive with the glory of You
In the name of the Father, the name of the Son, the name of the Holy Spirit
In the name of the Mother, the name of her child, the name of the Living Breath,
I pray…. I pray.
Hidden God with us; Loving God in us; Boundless God for ever…. Amen.
Through a Dark Door
Through a Dark Door would work in liturgies of healing and celebrations of life at the moment of death
Lyrics Through a Dark Door:
Through A Dark Door
Time will bring us all things… Hold still now.
Life is Fragile. Seasons roll by. We laugh, we cry…
Cracks in the loneliness
Strangers who love you
Grace that surprises you, in light-filled rooms as gentle as they’re tough
Walk through a dark door into shadowlands: a dreamworld of the real
Behind the curtain of our certainties
We know that we are never in control at all
Full-stop on my plans: I’m in your hands, which might not be so bad…
Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is hope-filled
Love won’t die
Love is Tell me who I am patient when it all boils down
Love is what is left of life? kind
Love is As I lose my strength hope-filled Needing is ok!
Love won’t “We” is more than “I” die
There is a point in time….my life counts back from
An uninvited guest, a trial embrace, a foretaste of the end
Why is the possible impossible until it finds your door?
From here the roles reverse, it’s harder to receive than give,
When all you have to offer is
An open letting go: don’t let me go! ‘til I surrender all…
Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is hope-filled
Love won’t die
Love is like an uninvited guest patient brother fire and sister death
Love is what’s important changes kind
Love is questions you’re afraid to ask hope-filled finding words despite the cost
Love won’t knowing we’re connected die
Time will bring us all things… Hold still now.
Life is Fragile. Seasons roll by. We laugh, we cry…
Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is hope-filled
Love won’t die
My gratitude to everyone named here is immense. I am privileged and blessed to work with such talent and grace.
Lead Vocals: Maeve Louise Heaney, Toni Janke, Ashwin Acharya, Tarryn Stokes, JB
Piano: Macauley Parker-Burton, Maeve Louise Heaney
Backing Vocals: Maeve Louise Heaney, Tarryn Stokes, Adrian Hannan, Barb Hannan, Macauley Parker Burton, Danielle Lynch, Rose Farm singers
Trumpet: JB
All Other Instruments, Produced, Mixed and
Mastered: Adrian Hannan @ The SongStore
Text Inspiration: The Eucharist, Rick Gaillardetz, Shakespeare, God
Cover Artwork: Ascension ©Arthur Poulin, Camaldolese monk living in Berkeley. Used with permission.
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SIDE ONE
1 Ascension Theme
2 On This Sacred Ground (with Toni Janke)
3 Kyrie
4 Gloria
5 Alleluia
6 Offertory: Can I have this Dance?
7 God by any Other Name
SIDE TWO
8 Eucharistic Prayer
9 Doxology and Amen
10 Our Father
11 Lamb of God
12 Through a Dark Door