Two new songs for the Catherine Winkworth Songbook:
And two new recordings of ones from before:
Lyrics and chords:
AS A BIRD AT DAWNING
As a bird at dawning sings
In the woods or meadows fair,
Till the lonely forest rings
And it fills the summer air,
So my heart to you would raise,
O my God, its song of praise.When you meet me, Sun of Love
All my heart with joy is stirred;
And to you it flies above
Gladly as the little bird.
Shine in me clear and bright,
Till I learn to praise Thee right.Bless to-day what I am doing,
Anonymous 16th C, English translation Catherine Winkworth, adapted by Sara Garrard
Bless whatever I have and love;
With the morn my faith renewing,
Let me never from virtue rove;
Heir of heaven, keep me near,
Rescue me from all I fear.
BE CONTENT; BE STILL
Be content;
Be still before His face,
At whose right hand will reign
Fulness of joy for evermore,
He is your living spring, thy sun, whose rays
Make glad with life and light your dreary days.
Be content.He brings comfort,
And light and grace and love,
Beyond our thought; the worst disgrace,
If He’s there, harms you not.
He can lift off your cross, and loose your bands,
And calm your fears, for death is in His hands.
Be content.Welcome home,
Paul Gerhardt, English translation by Catherine Winkworth, adapted by Sara Garrard
The chosen ones, who here
Did serve Him faithfully and well,
Who died without a fear,
The Everlasting is their joy and stay,
The Eternal Word Himself to them will say:
Be content!
ABIDE AMONG US
Abide among us with Thy grace,
Lord Jesus, evermore,
Nor let us e’er to sin give place,
Nor grieve Him we adore.
Abide among us with Thy word,
Redeemer, whom we love,
Thy help and mercy here afford,
And life with Thee above.Abide among us with Thy ray,
O Light that lighten’st all,
And let Thy truth preserve our way,
Nor suffer us to fall.
Abide with us to bless us still,
O bounteous Lord of peace;
With grace and power our souls fulfill,
Our faith and love increase.Abide among us as our shield,
O Captain of Thy host;
That to the world we may not yield,
Nor e’er forsake our post.
Abide with us in faithful love,
Our God and Saviour be,
Thy help at need, oh, let us prove,
And keep us true to Thee.
O THAT I HAD A THOUSAND VOICES
1 O that I had a thousand voices
And with a thousand tongues could tell
Of Him in whom the earth rejoices,
Who all things wisely does and well!
My grateful heart would then be free
To tell what God has done for me.2 O all ye pow’rs that He implanted,
Arise, and silence keep no more;
Ye senses all that He has granted,
Awake, the Lord of hosts adore–
My soul and body, make ye meet,
The Lord with hymns of praise to greet.3 Ye forest leaves, so green and tender,
That dance for joy in summer air;
Ye meadow grasses, bright and slender,
Ye flow’rs, so wondrous sweet and fair,
That live to show His praise alone,
Help me to make His glory known.4 Ye creatures that have breath and motion,
That fill with life, earth, sea and sky,
O join me in my heart’s devotion,
As I exalt the Lord most high:
My utmost pow’rs can ne’er aright
Declare the wonders of His might.5 But I will tell, while I am living,
His tenderness with every breath
And come before Him with thanksgiving
Until my heart is still in death:
Nay, when at last my lips grow cold,
His praise shall in my sighs be told.6 O Father, deign Thou, I beseech Thee,
To listen to my earthly lays;
A nobler strain in heaven shall reach Thee
When I with angels hymn Thy praise
And learn amid their choirs to sing
Loud hallelujahs to my King.