"Happy The Man" is a song by Sebastian Temple that was published in 1967, shortly after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). It appeared at the onset of the Catholic Folk Mass revolution. Temple, in fact, was one of the lead composers of the acoustic guitar-driven component of early contemporary Catholic music.

The sheet music for Temple's "Happy The Man" album of 13 songs can be previewed and purchased at GIA Music: giamusic.com/resource/happy-the-man-print-g1788. Also included in this album is "Prayer of St. Francis".

The song "Happy The Man" has been reimagined by Wayne Bethanis as a beautiful and dynamic New Age-styled piano composition with light orchestration. You can listen to it by clicking on the "Listen on All Platforms" link on this page: www.waynebethanis.com/happy-the-man-single

I extend my congratulations to Wayne Bethanis for having achieved an historic #1 rating on a mainstream music chart. Wayne writes in his blog post:

This is one of the most meaningful moments in my career! My cinematic re-imagining of HAPPY THE MAN has debuted at #1 on the New Age Notes Radio Chart - a milestone that carries a remarkable piece of music history with it.  The song was written by the great Sebastian Temple as part of the Catholic Folk Revival of the 60's, which inspired millions of people around the world for decades, but this song, and his work, has never appeared on a mainstream international music chart! 

Here is an excerpt from Wayne's song release page:

With its warm tone, emotional depth, and strong dynamic arc, “Happy the Man” is positioned for playlists spanning Christian instrumental, peaceful piano, meditation and reflective listening. Beyond its musical impact, the song carries personal significance for Bethanis, who first heard it as a child singing in church — an experience tied to early spiritual formation and a lifelong connection to faith and music. That authenticity resonates throughout the performance, giving the track a sense of sincerity and emotional truth that stands out in today’s streaming landscape.

I have been a cantor since 1968 but I have to admit that I have never sung "Happy The Man". I checked many of my old Folk Mass hymnals and could not find it. Yet the melody is hauntingly familiar to me, as if it somehow crept into my musical DNA without me being aware. I did find an online source that lists some of its hymnal appearances: 

• 20th Century Folk Hymnal, volume 1, 1974
• Let's Just Praise the Lord, 1978
• Hymns Old and New for the Irish Church
• McCrimmon's Celebration Hymnal for Everyone - 1994 edition (not in the 2012)
• Canadian Catholic Book of Worship II, 1980

The melody is beautiful. Written in the key of C, a voice does not have to ascend beyond high C, making it quite accessible to alto and baritone tessituras. Bars 5 and 6 of the song have a soaring ascent from middle C to high C. Wayne makes this interval sound delicate yet powerful, one of the defining moments of the song. Wayne's studio recording is introspective and expressive at the same time, with graceful arcs, tempo changes and harmonics that caress the soul of the listener...

Responsorial Psalm 62(63):2-6,8-9 for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A - WORDS + CHORDS
Key of C#m
Capo 4

                             Am                     Em               G            Am
Response - For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.

      Dm                         Am          Em   Am
O God, you are my God, for You I long;
      Dm                        Am
for You my soul is thirsting.
         G                        Am
My body pines for You
              F                Dm7                  E
like a dry, weary land without water.

                             Am                     Em               G            Am
Response - For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.

"Queen of Heaven, Rejoice" by Anthony Moran

Queen of Heaven, rejoice. Alleluia!
The Lord is risen today. Alleluia!
He has risen from the dead. Alleluia!
He has risen as He said. Alleluia!

And we praise His holy name, Alleluia!
The heavens rejoice in song. Alleluia!
Mary, pray for us to God, Alleluia!
to Jesus Christ, your Son. Alleluia!

Lyrics and music: Anthony Moran, © 2018
Please visit Catholic Liturgy in Song - insong.org
Vocals, guitar, mixing: Richard Schletty. schlettysound.com
Piano arrangement: Paul F. Page. paulpage.org
Painting restoration: Richard Schletty. schlettydesign.com/mural

Sheet music is available for free. Just ask.

Charming, upbeat, Contemporary Christian / Praise and Worship type hymn

Originally composed in G major, this cover is recorded in D - a lower key for easier access by the congregation during mass. 

A great hymn with the theme of vocation, it accentuates God's call by the person's name. In fact, it explores the notion of vocation as a community's call to dedicate our lives to God: 'no need to fear for He is near'. However, that concept of dedication is mostly attributed to one's commitment for love between one person and God, that, by such answer to the call, they have become one in heart, and that is nourished by the gift of faithful love.

Instead of 6 verses, I only used the first 3 verses. 

 

Message me below the YouTube recording if you want a copy of the handwritten chords.

Salmo Responsorial para Domingo 22 Ordinario A - Salmo 62 - Señor, mi alma tiene sed de ti. Leccionario: 124. Descarga gratuita de partituras en el siguiente enlace. Todos los versos del salmo están disponibles. / Responsorial psalm in Spanish for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Free download of sheet music at the following link. All the psalm verses are available.

insong.org/product/domingo-22-ordinario-a-salmo-62-senor-mi-alma-tiene-sed-de-ti

Para recibir notificaciones de nuevos salmos cada semana, suscríbase a nuestro canal de YouTube. / To get notifications of new psalms each week, please subscribe to our channels:
https://www.youtube.com/@InSong
https://www.facebook.com/liturgyinsong

Response
F           C               Dm - C. Bb             Gm          Gm                 F
Lord your love is eternal   Do not forsake the work of your hands

Verse

1) As  we ponder all you’ve done to adopt us as your daughters and sons
Many haven’t heard or know and enmity among them grows
HOW  indifferent so many are  how many worship their own star 
How much sorrow and pain - how many lost in fog and  so  vain        
living off the wealth of the past in a world culture that cannot last
Refrain

YOU SAY  WE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH
And its light through  our Baptismal birth
And send us to all who are lukewarm
To all who've  been un or misinformed . 

Praise and Worship hymn with a new melody for the traditional hymn "One Day". Scored for either SATB, SAB, Solo, or 2-part choirs of (SA, TB or Sop & Ten.) with Piano accompaniment. Accessible and appropriate for any church or concert setting. Can be used many times throughout the liturgical year.

Psalm 8: O Lord, Our God, How Wonderful Your Name - Trinity Sunday - cycle C

Composed and performed by Richard Schletty www.schlettysound.com. This was my submission to the Sunday Psalm Project in 2016.

Guitar and voice version:

Piano and voice version:

Song lead sheet (PDF), piano + voice staff notation (PDF) and two audio file demos (MP3) are available for download at bottom of story. Much credit and thanks go to Paul F. Page and André van Haren for help with piano arrangement and engraving.

Recently added are renditions that include the voice and guitar of Michelle Sambrano. 

Be sure to check out the piano + voice version in the attachments below.

Refrain
Amaj7        D        Cmaj7          Bm7     Cmaj7   A   Cmaj7 A
 O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
 
Verse 1
Cmaj7          D            Bm7                  Em
When I see the heavens, the work of your fingers,
    Cmaj7        Bm7               E
the moon and the stars which you arranged...

A meditative piano solo that is featured in the piano series "The Rosary" - meditative piano solos that are to be played as background music while people are praying the Rosary.

A meditative piano solo that is featured in the piano series "The Rosary" - meditative piano solos that are to be played as background music while people are praying the Rosary.

Responsorial Psalm 137(138):1-3,6,8 for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A - WORDS + CHORDS
Key of C

                               G            F             C                F                     G                    C
Response - Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of Your hands.

      F                  G                              C
I thank You, Lord, with all my heart:
                     F                 G                       C
You have heard the words of my mouth.
                 F                       G                        C     Am
In the presence of the angels I will bless You.
                F          G                         C
I will adore before your holy temple.

                               G            F             C                F                     G                    C
Response - Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of Your hands.

For those interested in the historical roots of Catholic devotional music, I wanted share a recent research project from Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns that dives deep into our shared musical past.

The Parish Inheritance Project takes a look at how past generations gave voice to major solemnities. Focusing on the Feast of the Assumption, a survey of historical hymnals (1849–1964) revealed a distinct, enduring corpus of 20 classic hymns—including works by brilliant nineteenth-century translators and composers like Fr. Edward Caswall, Fr. Frederick Faber, and regional American collections.

These pieces reflect a time when doctrine, devotion, and rich choral/congregational music were beautifully intertwined. If you love exploring traditional Catholic hymnody, historical texts, and the stories behind sacred music, you can read the full overview and access the survey list here:
ttps://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/the-voice-of-the-assumption/

Would love to connect with other musicians here who have a passion for bringing historical sacred music back to light!

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/YuSqdh4Aap8

Domingo 21 Ordinario A - Salmo 137 - Señor, tu amor perdura eternamente. Descarga gratuita de partituras en el siguiente enlace. Todos los versos del salmo están disponibles. / Responsorial psalm in Spanish for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time. Free download of sheet music at the following link. All the psalm verses are available.

insong.org/product/domingo-21-ordinario-a-salmo-137-senor-tu-amor-perdura-eternamente

Para recibir notificaciones de nuevos salmos cada semana, suscríbase a nuestro canal de YouTube. / To get notifications of new psalms each week, please subscribe to our channels:
https://www.youtube.com/@InSong
https://www.facebook.com/liturgyinsong

Music © 2019, Anthony Moran, https://insong.org
Arranged and recorded by Richard Schletty, https://schlettysound.com

Originally published August 21, 2020

1 )
 You are our peace
Calling us to rest in you
Here you renew us and fulfill our deepest desire
Giving us a foretaste  of knowing you in heaven
And know our dear Father  in  divine glory