Not long ago, I posted about creating a playlist of “go-to-hymns” that you can rely on to invite people to sing at any and every parish gathering so that we can more truly and consistently express the joy that is ours in the Risen Christ. Since then, I have been presenting at a number of gatherings (workshops and seminars) around the country where people have made a point of singing joyful hymns and refrains as part of the overall experience, and this has truly been transformative.
Recently, I created a playlist for my iPod with over 40 songs (for now) that I can confidently turn to at a moment’s notice to invite people to sing. When I travel, I bring along my mini-speaker that is Bluetooth-equipped so that I can lead song “karaoke”-style. The songs I choose must fit one of the following criteria:
- The song must have a simple refrain that can be easily learned and repeated.
- The song must be so well-known that the majority of folks will know it by heart. This can never be assumed, however.
- The lyrics must be repetitive (Taizé-style) so that they can be picked up quickly.
- The song must be in a singable key and have a good pace. Some recordings/renditions are so slow or fast that they’re not conducive to communal singing.
My goal is never to have to print song sheets or provide hymnals, since that is often not convenient or realistic for various parish gatherings and meetings. Here, then, is my list:
- “Halle, Halle, Halle (Caribbean)”—Barbara Swetina and Findhorn Singers (Songs of Heaven and Earth)
- “Celtic Alleluia—Christopher Walker and Fintan O’Carroll (Rise Up and Sing, 3rd Edition, Vol. 2)
- “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”—Michael Schroeder (Worship)
- “Holy God We Praise Thy Name”—L’Angelus (Sacred Hymns Collection)
- “O Word of God”—Ricky Manalo (On This Day)
- “Hail Holy Queen”—Gretchen Harris (Sing of Mary)
- “We Are the Light of the World”—Steve Angrisano (Make a Difference)
- “Go Make a Difference”—Steve Angrisano, Tabetha Fair, Gene Miller, Tom Hemby, and Brian Green (Spirit & Song)
- “Ubi Caritas”—Taizé (Laudate Omnes Gentes)
- “Veni Sancte Spiritus”—Taizé (Joy on Earth)
- “Wait for the Lord”—Taizé (Joy on Earth)
- “Dona Nobis Pacem”—Taizé (Wait for the Lord)
- “Laudate Dominum”—Taizé (Jubilate)
- “Jesus, Remember Me”—Taizé (Jubilate)
- “Jesus, Lamb of God”—Marty Haugen (Mass of Creation)
- “Lord, Send Out Your Spirit (Psalm 104)” (Psalms for the Church Year)
- “All the Ends of the Earth (Psalm 98)”(Psalms for the Church Year)
- “To You, O Lord (Psalm 25)”(Psalms for the Church Year)
- “Be with Me (Psalm 91)”(Psalms for the Church Year)
- “Let All the Earth (Psalm 66)” (Psalms for the Church Year)
- “Let Us Rejoice (Psalm 118)” (Psalms for the Church Year)
- “Shepherd Me, O God”—Marty Haugen (Psalms for the Church Year, Vol II)
- “We Are Many Parts”—Marty Haugen (Anthology I)
- “We Remember”—Marty Haugen (Anthology I)
- “Let There Be Peace on Earth” (Catholic Classics, Vol. 2)
- “To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King” (Catholic Classics, Vol. 2)
- “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Prayer of St. Francis)” (Catholic Classics, Vol. 1)
- “Soon and Very Soon”—ValLimar Jansen (Catholic Classics, Vol. VII African American Sacred Songs)
- “Taste and See”—ValLimar Jansen (Catholic Classics, Vol. VII African American Sacred Songs)
- “Were You There?”—WLP Choir (Catholic Treasures I: Classics for Feasts and Seasons)
- “How Great Thou Art”—Paul Baloche (iWorship Hymns: The Essential Collection)
- “Glory and Praise to Our God”—St. Louis Jesuits (A Dwelling Place)
- “Here I Am, Lord”—Romans (Come to Life)
- “City of God”—St. Louis Jesuits (Lord of Light)
- “Be Not Afraid”—Angelina (Assembled)
- “Glory to God”—Dan Schutte (Glory in the Cross)
Spanish
- “Alabaré”—Donna Pena (Catholic Classics: Vol. 9)
- “Resucitó”—Donna Pena (Catholic Classics: Vol. 9)
- “Digo ‘Sí,’ Señor”—Donna Pena (Catholic Classics: Vol. 9)
- “Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo”—Jaime Cortez and Bob Hurd (Flor y Canto Tercera Edición: Disco 16)
What other songs would you suggest? (Not just your favorite hymn, but a song that meets the criteria I listed above.)
Thanks, Joyce. I especially like Siyahamba/We Are Marching!
“Go Make of All Disciples” and “Lift High the Cross” are easy to sing a cappella and have produced good, strong singing at workshops I’ve hosted.
Love this idea! “Here I Am, Lord” is one of my faves as well as “Be not Afraid.” Will definitely incorporate singing when I begin my youth ministry sessions later this year.
Just downloaded your “Bible Blueprint” ebook. Will be using your PDF “Bible Workshop for Young People” and look forward to sharing it at our next youth ministry planning meeting this month.
So glad I found you and your website!
Blessings,
Eileen on Guam
Thanks so much for your kind words and for sharing your update “Eileen on Guam!”
Hi Joe, can you recommend any instrumental (no lyrics) songs? Thanks!
Hi Eileen. I recommend Catholic Classics Vol. 3 (Bobby Fisher); Instrumental Songs for Catholic Mass/Christian Living (Catholic Church Musicians), and Be Not Afraid (David Phillips). All are quite nice.
Hi Joe, First off thank you for all you do, and for making it so available, it is very appreciated resource. Last year, I found a page of object lessons and activities that I incorporated into my Fourth Grade class. The page was not in blog form, just a listing of 10 activities focused on the affects of sin. I can’t remember all 10 but there was an object lesson involving magnets and paper clips, another where an egg is passed around, another where you ask the kids to guess which statement out of several about yourself is untrue, and then an activity where you have a contest on how many situps and pushups each kid can do. Does this sound familiar? I thought for sure it came from you, but I am unable to track it down. Could you direct me to that list? Thank you,
Hi Lisa. Yes, that was a lesson I did and enjoyed very much. It’s called “The Ten Commandments: 2-Minute Drills.” You can find it here: https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2010/03/ten-commandments-two-minute-drills/
Have fun and let me know how it goes!
I second, or third the vote for “Here I am, Lord” as a hymn that the youth like to sing. We incorporate three contemporary Christian music YouTube videos directly into some of our lessons – “The Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns for the lesson on King David, “I AM” by Mark Schulz in the lesson on The Last Supper and Crucifixion, and “We Are Catholic” in the lesson on Pentecost and the Church.
I am active in our Parish music ministry, and a huge advocate for keeping the great tradition of Gregorian chant and early Sacred Music (e.g., Renaissance polyphony) “alive and well” in the Church. Some of the Catechists have incorporated playing this type of music in their lessons, especially in older grade levels.
Great discussion and ideas, Joe – thanks!
Thank you for this incredible Hymn playlist! Since we had to move CLOW to a parent-led at-home digital resource, we try to include songs each week. Would you consider creating your playlist on youtube?
You’re welcome, Kellie! Glad this served you well. Not sure I would have the time to create this playlist on YouTube!