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Mary My Mother

Author: Christine McCabe (not verified)
MARY, MY MOTHER - by Fr. Warren Smithbower (refrain) Mary, my Mother, my queen, my love Mary, my Mother, the mother of God. Keep me close to Your Son above, Mary, my Mother, my queen, my love. Jesus told me, you were a queen, When at the wedding in Cana, Galilee. He took your word from His Father above And changed the water to the wine of love. (refrain) In Nazareth town, He when young Called you mother in Aramaic tongue On Calvary's height, He saw you there And gave us all into your care. (...

Morality

Author: asiansa09
Pro-life:  I believe that child is beginning at the moment of conceive. I hope that I am able to express myself in the song lyric above the message that a child is beginning life the moment he and she conceived.  God bless!

Is the song lyric feel more stable and unstable?

Author: asiansa09
Song Lyric:  HOLY SPIRIT CHORUS Oh, Holy Spirit calls on children of the world Oh, Holy Spirit calls on children of the world Oh, Holy Spirit calls on children of the world Oh, Holy Spirit calls on children of the world. VERSE Day and night, Holy Spirit calls on children of the world To walk in the light of Christ. VERSE Listen to inner voices, Holy Spirit calls on children of the world To walk in the truth of Christ. VERSE Follow the call, Holy Spirit calls on children of the world To...

Thankyou

Author: Alex (not verified)
I'm humbled, Thankyou for bringing life to my words. Your voice is very good. Let's see what we can do with an instrumental. Alex.

Alex, I spoke your lyrics,

Author: Richard Schletty
Alex, I spoke your lyrics, more like a poem than a hip-hop song. I added the MP3 file to your original post. Just wanted to lay it down to explore the feelings you penned. Maybe someone would like to take my vox track and lay it over a beat. Let's see what happens.

Hail Holy Mary

Author: Holy Chorus
Thank you so much Richard for your encouraging comments.

Will you sing this song for me

Author: asiansa09
Will you sing this song for me and write music sheet for it too? I am hoping that once it done, I will share it with others to pray the prayer after communion at mass.

The challenge

Author: Richard Schletty
Of course, language is a bit of a barrier. I probably misinterpret some of the words you write. Sorry about that. I do the best I can. I try to make the lyrics tell a story. I try to make the words flow naturally. I try to give the words deep meaning, based on my own experience and understanding of faith and God. Thank you for allowing me some freedom in interpreting your lyrics and adding my own insights.  Our song "God's Gift to All the World" has just been added to CME radio! ...

Meaning of the song

Author: asiansa09
It is very interesting that when I first write the song lyric, I had the song lyric in my mind with different meaning, but when you receive it and write it in your own words, the meaning of the song also change accordingly.  I find that very interesting, and that makes the song more interesting in collaboration with one another.

Sheet music for the song

Author: Richard Schletty
Yes, I will post the sheet music here. Good idea.

Music sheet for the song

Author: asiansa09
When you record the song, can you also write the music sheet and post on here. That way, if anyone like to play guitar or piano, they can have the music sheet to follow.  

Lyrics adjusted for spelling and grammar

Author: Richard Schletty
Here are your lyrics adjusted for spelling and grammar, but not for prosody. 5/22/2017: My first mix of the song. It is a lot faster than I had originally envisioned, but I felt a need to give the song a drive and a lift.  Enchristment by Richard Schletty Enchristment CHORUS On my knees, I humbly pray. I love to feel your radiance. My heart is one with you, O Lord, in this moment of Enchristment. VERSE 1 My God, my Christ, you are in my heart. I praise you, I worship you. Your...

Read and comment on lyrics

Author: Richard Schletty
You are welcome! We'll see what happens.

Thanks

Author: Alexander John
Hi Richard,                     Thank you very much for taking the time to read and comment on my lyrics. It would be great to hear what you come up with and please keep in touch.  GOD bless, Alex.

Thanks for your help

Author: asiansa09
Thanks for all your help to make my dream become a reality, that is, I always hope to find someone collaborate to write song lyric/poems and turn it into a wonderful song.  I am so grateful, God Bless.

Enchristment

Author: Richard Schletty
Sounds like a good prayer that stuck in your memory from childhood. In English it is spelled Enchristment. When I get time, I'll take a look at it. I also hope other members here at TCS will take on the songwriting challenges that are suddenly popping up. I think it's an excellent way to learn all about prosody. If you (a site visitor or site member) are reading this and don't know what prosody is, look it up! You will thank me for making you aware of that word. It has everything to do...

Time Watch lyrics

Author: Richard Schletty
Alex: Good job on the lyrics. Any ideas about what sort of musical style you'd like to impart to these lyrics? Are you open to any genre or styling? I see you mention hip-hop, so perhaps that is what you are thinking. I haven't done hip-hop or rap myself. Maybe it's time I give it a go. I'll set up a beat and speak your mind! Let's see what happens. I won't try to emulate anyone. I'll use my own voice and styling. 

As is

Author: Richard Schletty
OK, thanks for your reply. I'll keep it as is.

Catholic Music Express website updates

Author: Richard Schletty
It's not a job for pay. It is volunteer (just like this TCS site). I hope and pray I have time and inspiration to help improve the CME site. I will let you know when we start to make changes. I invite you to participate at Catholic Music Express!

Congratulations

Author: asiansa09
congratulations on your new position.  I am happy for you

God's love for all the world

Author: asiansa09
keep the song tittle as is.

"God's Gift" at CME Radio

Author: Richard Schletty
I submitted it to Rob and Jim at Catholic Music Express and they like it! They said they would add it to the songs. In fact, last week they invited me to become an assistant webmaster at catholicmusicexpress.com. So I will be able to add the song myself soon! Thanks for mentioning that. Do you think I should rename the song to "I Saw Blood and Water Flowing"? Which song title will people remember best?

Radio station

Author: asiansa09
do you think the song "God's love for all the world" can post on the radio station here at TCS?

You Make Our World So Beautiful

Author: Richard Schletty
Good feedback. How about this for the title: "You Make Our World So Beautiful" It puts Christ in the present, as active and alive. Now I am reconsidering the "second person" point of view as opposed to the "third person" view. Second person makes it more personal – I am talking to Jesus.  "You Make Our World So Beautiful" is a complete sentence without being too long. "Jesus Christ Has Made Our World So Beautiful" is too long. My intention is not to record it as a poem but that could...

Inspiration for the song lyric

Author: asiansa09
This song lyric based on my childhood prayer taught by sisters/nuns at church to pray after receive communion.  I tried my best to translate it in from my language into English, and my goal for the song is to see if it can turn into a wonderful song.

Song Title

Author: asiansa09
When I first thought about the song title, my first impression that I came up with is "Making Your World So Beautiful."  I think now you come up with "Our World So Beautiful" is also a good fit.  Or we can change it to "Made Our World So Beautiful."

Christmas season song/poem

Author: asiansa09
Well, I think we are going to celebrate Christmas season early this year through our song/poem.

Poem

Author: asiansa09
I love your ideas of turning the song lyric into poem.  That is so wonderful.

My suggestions for your lyrics

Author: Richard Schletty
Asiansa09: I would like to suggest some changes to your lyrics that might help your ideas turn into a nice song. I decided to change the singer's point of view into the "third person" (he/she/they). Just a personal preference on this song. It would have been hard to keep everything in the second person (you). I am using this rhyming pattern: ABCB. Only the second and fourth lines rhyme in each stanza (verse). I have a rough melody in my head but I will see how it evolves before I take to the...

Song video I recorded at church

Author: Richard Schletty

Welcome to TCS

Author: Richard Schletty
Nice to see you come on board here, Alexander John. I hope you get some feedback on your lyrics. Any idea about the style/genre of song you envision? I'll try to give you some suggestions. Do you sing and/or play an instrument? If not, no problem. The Lord provides. 

It was just an idea

Author: Richard Schletty
No problem. It was just an idea. I hope I am doing a good job adapting your lyrics to my Midwest U.S. language and culture. I love writing lyrics and am happy to collaborate with others on lyrics, melody and chord progressions. Thanks again for inspiring me. I hope you can inspire others, too.

I just want to incorporate my

Author: asiansa09
I just want to incorporate my own language to American music.  I haven't thought of singing my own voices for the song.

Edit and record it in English

Author: Richard Schletty
Yes, I will. I think we are a team now! But if any other member of Top Catholic Songs would like to try editing the rhyme and rhythm, or would like to come up with a melody, or would like to sing the song (when it is ready to be sung), you are most welcome. Let us know!

It would be nice if you can record it in English

Author: asiansa09
Can you take on the English version for the song, I know that the song need a lot of editor, especially on the rymth and rythem.

Your World Is So Beautiful

Author: Richard Schletty
Very nice. I would love to hear you record these words in your native language (Vietnamese?) and in English. The English needs to have some grammar corrected. I can suggest some changes for you. I am thinking of using your voice with music in the background. The song would also have my singing of the English words. What do you think? Can you record your voice and upload an audio file? 

Hail Holy Mary video

Author: Richard Schletty
Very nicely done. Very devout singing. I love that flute. Good video editing. Make more!

The song is good enough

Author: asiansa09
The song is good enough.  Now, I think that if you can work with someone like choir director to get the song official to be publish in Catholic music.

Spirit food

Author: Richard Schletty
Dan: Thanks for your encourgement. It means a lot to me. I would love to hear someone else sing "God's Gift to All the World." It may still need to be modified in some way to make it more singable. Or maybe it is OK? For those reading this comment in this story, we are talking about this song: topcatholicsongs.com/gods-gift-to-all-the-world

Imagine it is a wealth of spiritual food resources for others

Author: asiansa09
I keep thinking that imagine the song "God's love for all the world" and other songs will become a wealth of spiritual food resources for others to listen and experience God loves for people. Imagine the song will be sing at church for people to listen.  That is amazing!

On This Day, O Beautiful Mother

Author: Richard Schletty
Thank you, Evelyn! Very nice recording. 

Good luck and I wish your music talent goes far

Author: asiansa09
It is good to have a choir director at your level in music to become a successful artist.  Her assistant will lead you far.

My choir director

Author: Richard Schletty
I will continue to work with Mary Joy! She has been a tremendous mentor in both voice and use of my guitar in our small ensemble at St. Mary's. 

Divine Mercy chant

Author: Richard Schletty
Thank you, Edgar. I appreciate the listen and comment. Much credit goes to asiansa09.

Divine Mercy chant

Author: Edgar V Combong (not verified)
Nice!  God bless.

I am so grateful that choir director has an eyes on you

Author: asiansa09
I am so grateful that choir director has an eyes on you, I think you should continue to work with choir director.  Choir director will lead you in your artist path.

God willing...

Author: Richard Schletty
God willing, I will sing this for faithful listeners in a prayer service or concert. Let's work on another song! I know you have other lyrics posted here at TCS. Prayerful music can help lead people to Christ. 

MARIAN SONG FOR KIDS

Author: EVELYN ONWUEGBUSI (not verified)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x18UfKCnli4

Sing at concert

Author: asiansa09
Wish you luck, Richard, that someday you and others can sing the song at concert.

Thanks for sharing your emotion about such issues

Author: asiansa09
I know that you get really emotion when come to the issues as you think about every child is God's gift.  Pray with Sorrowful Mother Mary and they will go to purgatory and that we will be save.

Every situation is different

Author: Richard Schletty
So true. I am sure that I will sing the Folk-Gospel song "God's Gift" when I sing at Pro-Life prayer services in front of Planned Parenthood where they kill babies. 

You inspired me

Author: Richard Schletty
I like the Folk-Gospel song, too, and you inspired me to do it. Thank you for expressing your faith and thank you for sharing the song. I am very pleased with it and I hope it will lead people to Christ. God bless. 

I like best the song you sing "God's love for all the world."

Author: asiansa09
I really like the song you sing "God's love for all the world."  I also let my friends and family members to hear it.  They love it too.

It is all up to you

Author: asiansa09
Well, if you can sing in the church or at a Divine Mercy liturgy.  I think they prefer the last chant version that you post.  But it is all up to you, because every situation is different.

Thanks for mentioning confidence

Author: Richard Schletty
You say you like the first time I sang the song – that my voice is more confident in it. Do you mean the first chant version which I posted yesterday, or the Folk-Gospel version I did last week? I want the chant version to be more peaceful and contemplative – something that could be sung in church at a Vespers service or at a Divine Mercy liturgy.

Confident

Author: asiansa09
I think I like the first time you sing the song too, because I can hear the confident in your voices better than this one.

Chant version: For the Love of Humanity

Author: Richard Schletty
asiansa09: Here are some suggestions for your original lyrics. I tried to have less repetition of words. I did not try to rhyme. I read about Sr. Faustina and added a couple more things she said. I am using a chanting style that is much different than the Folk-Gospel version I did! My choir director at St. Mary's likes it and thinks I might be able to sing it at a Divine Mercy liturgy. Here are two versions. The first one was sung a cappella (without an instrument). In the second version I play...

That is very nice

Author: asiansa09
Of course it is alright to put my name on the song.  That is my honor.  

Yes, you inspired me!

Author: Richard Schletty
Indeed, you are the inspiration for the song! If it is a success, you get half the credit. Is it OK that I put your name on the song? It is at BandCamp.com but a person can download it for free. If they want, they can make a donation. I don't expect it to earn any money. I'd rather give it away free. In a few days, I will have the sheet music ready with a piano part and guitar chords. Thank you, Dan!

Royalty

Author: asiansa09
If you ever get royalty for the song, please contribute to the Catholic church.

I hope I am your inspiration to write your song

Author: asiansa09
I hope I am your inspiration for you to write a successful song "God's Gift to All The World."

Alternate chant approach to original lyrics

Author: Richard Schletty
Dan, I did do an a cappella exploration with your original lyrics. I mentioned before your lyrics may work nicely as a chanted meditation. Here is my extemporaneous (ad libbed) recording: For the Love of Humanity-a cappella exploration

Thank you, Dell.

Author: Richard Schletty
I appreciate your sharing of the song.

Thank you, I enjoyed it and

Author: Dell Evensen (not verified)
Thank you, I enjoyed it and did share on facebook beautifully done. god grace you so much, Praise God now and forever Dell

You are welcome, Dan.

Author: Richard Schletty
You are welcome, Dan. I very much enjoyed collaborating on this song with you. Your original lyrics could be done chant style – due to the long lines and uneven meter. I might give that a try, just for fun. I may still get a piano arrangement from my colleague André. Note that I made a mistake in singing line 4 of verses 2 and 3. I was supposed to sing higher up the scale like I did on line 4 of verse 1. I'm thinking of changing the chorus to this. It has rhyming for lines 1 and 3. The song...

Thanks

Author: asiansa09
Thanks for all your work on the song, I really enjoy the music.

Revised song lyrics and audio demo

Author: Richard Schletty
Here is my first version of chords and melody. Suggestions welcome. Note: My song adaptation of Dan's song lyrics is now posted in a separate story here: topcatholicsongs.com/gods-gift-to-all-the-world <a data-cke-saved-href="http://richardschletty.bandcamp.com/track/his-gift-to-all-the-world" href="http://richardschletty.bandcamp.com/track/his-gift-to-all-the-world">His Gift to All the World by Richard Schletty</a...

Good. Glad you like it.

Author: Richard Schletty
Good. Glad you like it. I can hear the song in my head. Time to record it!

good chorus revised

Author: asiansa09
I really like the chorus that you revised.

Ok. I will keep that in mind

Author: Richard Schletty
Ok. I will keep that in mind about including Christ. Thanks. 

Yes, I will sing the song.

Author: Richard Schletty
Yes, I will sing the song. Thank you for asking. I might have a composer friend help me with a piano arrangement. 

Sing the song

Author: asiansa09
Will you sing the whole song?  

Christ

Author: asiansa09
I see, I just realize that there should be somewhere you should mention "Christ" so that instead of "he" all the time.

Yes, I'll restore Christ

Author: Richard Schletty
No problem. I can put in "Christ" instead of "Our Lord." The reason I have "Lord" is because it is a near-rhyme with "world" in the last line. My rhyming scheme is this: ABAB This change to the 2nd and 4th lines would restore the rhyming: I see blood, I see water from the heart of Jesus. He brings light, divine mercy. His love heals us. or I see blood and water flowing from the heart of Christ, our Lord. His divine mercy and love are a gift to all the world I still can't get the 1st and...

Wonderful song lyric

Author: asiansa09
That is so wonderful song lyric that you wrote.  I agree with you totally that you make the song so up high.  The message comes through in the song. I should say "Christ" first in the chorus instead of "Our Lord."

Upbeat Marian song

Author: Richard Schletty
I like "Sing of Mary" – easy to sing. I have sung this in church since the early 1960s! It was composed in 1938 by Roland Palmer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X7xdTg4wXA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r36KJfoBeFs http://hymnary.org/text/sing_of_mary_pure_and_lowly I also like "I Sing a Maid" but it's a little more challenging. Composed by M. D. Ridge in 1987. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaS9NwYjsLo http://hymnary.org/text/i_sing_a_maid_of_tender_years

First try at reshaping lyrics for a flowing melody.

Author: Richard Schletty
I would like to suggest modifying your lyrics to create an even meter and flow. This will help as I try to create a nice melody that people will remember and find easy to sing. I have tried to include most of your words about the messages to Saint Faustina from Jesus Christ. I am not sure it is necessary to say "Messages from Christ to sister Faustina" in the verses. It also think the title of the song should appear in the refrain rather than in the verses. I suggest keeping each verse only 4...

upbeat Marian song

Author: Guest (not verified)
I am looking for a Marian song that is upbeat, and simple enough for children to learn and sing. Any suggestions, I would appreciate it.

No, I don't have music for

Author: asiansa09
No, I don't have music for this song yet.  Will you sing for me or write music for the song?

For the Love of Humanity

Author: Richard Schletty
Hello! Do you have music yet for your lyrics? A good reflection for today – Divine Mercy Sunday. Thank you for sharing.  [Edited: Note that my song adaptation of Dan's song lyrics is finished. Listen to it here: topcatholicsongs.com/gods-gift-to-all-the-world]

Like singing hymns

Author: Elizabeth (not verified)
 Im' a catholic and very interested in singing church hymns.  I'm chosen in my community to sing this psalm 131 on meditation in my community celebrating the Uganda Martyrs of 2017.  Ilike praising and singjng God's hymns.

On a Cross video

Author: Richard Schletty
Very nice. Beautifully sung words that express the central belief of Christianity – that Jesus Christ, victorious over suffering and death, gives us new life. That painted image of Christ on the cross is powerful. Well done. I would like to hear the voice rise above the instrumentation a bit more. 

Good singing

Author: Guest (not verified)
Very nice!

Meditation

Author: Benjamin Tanewan (not verified)
I am a Catholic and I love meditation music that keeps my Catholic faith alive and strong.

Jesus, Jesus, Come to Me

Author: Richard Schletty
Joan, I'll take a look through my old Catholic hymnals. Any idea what hymnal you were using? Or were you singing from an octavo?

Jesus, Jesus Come to Me

Author: Guest Joan (not verified)
Looking for different melody with alto we used to sing in the 1960's in our choir: Jesus, Jesus come to me Oh how much I long for thee Come, thou of all friends the best Take possession of my breast. Comfort my poor soul distressed Come and dwell within my breast, Oh, how oft I sigh for thee Jesus, Jesus come to me                     

Update to lyrics, etc.

Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks for the update, MTR. I hope your album gets a lot of earplay and sales. All for Jesus. 

Update of the Info & Lyrics to "A Cup of Cold Water"

Author: MTR
     This is just an Update to the original PDF of the Info & Lyrics to "A Cup of Cold Water".  I have made some minor Editorial changes to the Info, and changed some of the Capitalizations to the words in the Lyrics for Aesthetic reasons.  MTR

Small ensemble modeling

Author: Richard Schletty
Yes, that's exactly why I do this. We have minimal resources at St. Mary's and St. Matthew's where I cantor/play guitar. Sometimes I am asked to lead worship music solo without piano. So I need to keep improving my guitar playing. Thanks, Paul, for affirming the need. Many of the GIA practice recordings were recorded in a "big" way with multiple instruments and often with descant or SATB voices. 

Calling on the Spirit

Author: Richard Schletty
This is a good prayer for the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit to be given to youth of the world. I might have some suggestions for improving the English phrases. Thank you for sharing.

Ps. 33 – "authentic" recordings

Author: Paul (not verified)
It is such a good idea to be providing "authentic" recordings of these Psalms as opposed to studio recordings produced by publishers. Gives the weekend liturgical musician an honest example of how these pieces can be successfully performed with small resources. 

Good idea to link to your blog!

Author: Richard Schletty
Others should do this, too! TCS is just a grand central station for Catholic-Christian music and song artists.

Cool

Author: Richard Schletty
That is an interesting visualization of your music. Looks like a colored water fountain. Nice.

Good news about iTunes

Author: Richard Schletty
Good to know you are getting your excellent album published at iTunes. Thanks for letting us know. 

Wish for the day as I done recite the rosary

Author: asiansa09
It takes a lot of effort to raise a generation in believe in higher education and pursue it.  Therefore, I hope to recite the rosary for our generation to come to realization of higher education is helping the society.

O Sacred Head Surrounded

Author: Richard Schletty
Ken, very nice rendition of O Sacred Head Surrounded. I wish I could play like that. Maybe in heaven... Here is your SoundCloud post embedded. I hope that's OK. I want you to know that this is possible. You grab the embed code, switch to "Source" or "Plain Text Editor" and paste in the embed code. 

O Sacred Head

Author: Ken Whisler
I put this arrangement together last Lent and am very much looking forward to playing it this Lenten season: https://soundcloud.com/ken-whisler/o-sacred-head-now-wounded

Good prayer

Author: Richard Schletty
That is a very good prayer. Simple and earnest. We all need to pray in order to help us have a clear vision of God's kingdom and help us to avoid evil. I like to pray the Our Father. In our home, we say "Bless us, O Lord" before meals and personalize our meal prayer at the end by thanking God for particular good things that we have seen or experienced this day. 

Come and Recite the Rosary with me

Author: Richard Schletty
Thank you for your prayers. I will join you in prayer. 

Lead sheets

Author: Richard Schletty
Followup: Have people ever asked for your songs as lead sheets or as a complete scores with guitar chord names and piano arrangement? The reason I ask is because I have resources to help you prepare either. It sometimes helps to have sheet music to supplement and enhance distribution/sales. 
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