Top Catholic Songs – share, learn, promote

Traditional Lenten hymns – which ones are your favorites? On 2/19/2014 Nick Alexander wrote to members of three Catholic songwriter groups:

I am getting input from those who love traditional music as to what their favorite Lenten hymns may be. I have scoured through all the hymnals I have access to and listed all those which fit the Lenten theme. It is a considerable list – 129 in all. These hymns are so rich in poetry and theology, some written by Saints, some written by the greatest hymn-writers of all time. They are well worth rediscovery.

Once the survey is completed, I will use your responses to craft a podcast and an accompanying songbook that will be a great resource for worship musicians – traditional and contemporary – to include in their own circles.

Note #1: Songs that focus exclusively on the activities of Holy Week (Stabat Mater, O Sacred Head Once Wounded) will be used for a separate survey/project, used directly afterwards.

Note #2: Every single song listed here is in the public domain. If you have a favorite Lenten hymn that is not listed because it still is under copyright, share it anyway; it may make a future songbook resource.

Adoremus Te, Christe Again the time Appointed Thee Alas What Hourly Dangers Rise Approach, My Soul, The Mercy Seat Art Thou Weary As O'er The Past My Memory Strays Attende Domine Awhile In Spirit, Lord, To Thee Before Thy Throne O God Behold, Where In A Mortal Form By Precepts Taught of Ages Past By The Gracious Saving Call Christ Leads Me Christian! Dost Thou See Them Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose Christmas-Tide Hath Faded Wholly Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing Come Unto Me, Ye Weary Come, Let Us Sit and Weep Come, Let Us To The Lord Our God Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare Commit Thou All That Grieves Crux, Ave Benedicta Days And Moments Quickly Flying Dear Lord And Father of Mankind Father, Hear Thy Children's Call Father, Whate'er Of Earthly Blis Feeble, Helpless, How Shall I Fight the Good Fight Forty Days and Forty Nights From Ev'ry Stormy Wind That Blows From the Depths We Cry to Thee God of Mercy and Compassion God of Thy Pity, Unto Us Thy Children God the Father, God the Son God, My Father, Hear Me Pray Hark, My Soul! It Is The Lord Hasten, Sinner! To Be Wise Have Mercy, Lord, on Us Heal Me, O My Savior, Heal Hear O Thou Bounteous Maker, Hear How Oft, Alas! This Wretched Heart I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say I Lay My Sins On Jesus I Need Thee Every Hour I Need Thee, Precious Jesus Iam Christe Sol Justitiae In Mercy, Not In Wrath In The Hour Of Trial Jesu, From Thy Throne On High Jesu, Lord Of Life And Glory Jesu, Still Lead On Jesus Christ Is Passing By Jesus Lover Of My Soul (Let Me To Thy Bosom Fly) Jesus, And Shall It Ever Be Jesus, Merciful And Mild, Lead Me As A Helpless Child Jesus, My God, Behold At Length Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All Jesus, My Saviour, Look On Me Jesus, Source Of My Salvation Jesus, the Sun of Ransomed Earth Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee Just As I Am Keep We the Fast That Men of Old Kind Maker of the World Laboring And Heavy Laden Lead Us Heavenly Father Lo! The Voice Of Jesus Lord Christ, When First Lord It Belongs Not To My Care Lord Jesus Christ, When First Thou Cam'st To Men Lord Jesus, Think On Me Lord Of Mercy And Compassion Lord Of Mercy And Of Might Lord, As To Thy Dear Cross We Flee Lord, For Ever At Thy Side Lord, I Hear Of Showers Of Blessing Lord, In This Thy Mercy's Day Lord, Our Strength And Righteousness Lord, Speak To Me Lord, When We Bend Before Thy Throne Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days Lord, With Glowing heart Love Of Jesus, All Divine More Love To Thee, O Christ, Most Holy Lord And God My Faith Looks Up to Thee My God, Accept My heart My God, I Love Thee My God, My Father My Sins, My Sins, My Saviour My Soul With Patience Waits Now Are the Days of Humblest Prayer O For a Closer Walk with God O For a Heart to Praise O God of Truth O God, I Love Thee, Not That My Poor Love O Gracious God, In Whom I Live O Gracious Lord, Creator Dear O Help Us, Lord; Each Hour Of Need O Holy Savior, Friend Unseen O Jesu, Saviour Of The Lost O Jesus, I Have Promised O Jesus, Thou Art Standing O Lamb of God, Still Keep Me O Lord and Master of Us All O Love How Deep O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go O Saviour, Precious Saviour O Sol Salutis Intimis O Thou Before Whose Presence O Thou In All Thy Might O Thou That Hear'st When Sinners Cry O Thou to Whose All-Searching Sight O Thou, From Whom All Goodness Flows O Thou, The Contrite Sinners' Friend Once More The Solemn Season Calls Only One Prayer Today Out Of The Deep I Call Parce Domine Praise to the Holiest Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire Prince Of Peace, Control My Will Rock of Ages Savior, Source Of Every Blessing Savior, When In Dust To Thee Saviour, Whom I Fain Would Love Sinful, Sighing To Be Blest Sinner, Rouse Thee From Thy Sleep Sinners! Turn, Why Will Ye Die Sole Hope of All the World Solemne Nos Jejunii Take Up Thy Cross Teach Us What Thy Love The Darkness Fleets, And Joyful Earth The Glory of These Forty Days There's A Wideness in God's Mercy Thou Hidden Love of God Thou Loving Maker of Mankind Thou, Lord, By Strictest Search Hast Known Through Him, Who All Our Sickness Felt Throughout These Forty Days O Lord Thy Chastening Wrath, O Lord, Restrain Thy Works, Not Mine, O Christ Turn Back, O Man Turned By Thy Grace, I Look Within Weary Of Earth, And Laden With My Sin Weary Of Wandering From My God When Jesus Wept When The Weary, Seeking Rest Wilt Thou Tread The Pathway Lowly With Broken Heart And Contrite Sigh

Are there other hymns you would like to suggest? Respond with a comment!