Sing with the World: Global Songs for Children
Compiled by John L. Bell and Alison Adam. Glasgow: Wild Goose Resource Group, Iona Community, 2008. GIA Publications, Inc., exclusive North American Agent. Spiral song book (G-7339) and CD (CD-771). To order go to www.giamusic.com or call 1-800-442-1358.
These twenty-four short songs from twenty-four countries in alphabetical order by country are very accessible to children (see pp. 32-33 for two examples) and on the outstanding accompanying CD they are all sung by children However, as Alison Adam writes in the introduction, “These are not primarily children’s songs, but you will find that, whether used in school or church, children will love singing them. This makes them ideal in intergenerational worship contexts.”
Each song comes with background notes, which often include helpful pronunciation guides. The topical index makes it easy to select songs for different times of the year. One church school leader in Chicago chose two songs each month for an entire school year!
Alison Adam will be teaching several of these songs with children’s choirs in attendance at the 2010 Calvin Symposium on Worship (see inside front cover of this issue for more information).
For Everyone Born: Global Songs for an Emerging Church
Jorge Lockward, Christopher Heckert, editors, Carlton R. Young,
Music Consultant: The General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church, 2008 GBG Muisk. Spiral songbook ISBN 1-933663-26-5. Recording ISBN 1-933633-25-8. Call 1-800-672-1789 or visit www.cokesbury.com to order.
This collection of twenty-three songs represent eighteen countries or people groups. Because they are meant to be useful for a variety of worship settings, instrumental ensembles, and skill levels, the editors have provided performance notes, background information on the origins of the songs, and congregational settings, as well as full vocal/piano performance scores along with percussion suggestions. This collection is accessible to all congregations, providing a diverse offering of songs that reflect the different moods and actions of worship.
The editors write: “It is our prayer that this resource may become a powerful instrument of renewal and enrichment in the worship life of your congregation, as we sing one another’s songs of faith and engage together in God’s mission of shaping a world where there is a place at the table for everyone born.”
May God answer that prayer.
Singing the Sacred: Musical Gifts from Native American Communities
Alvin Deer, editor; Jorge Lockward, assistant editor; Carlton R. Young, music editor. The General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church, 2008 GBG Muisk. Spiral songbook ISBN 978-1-933663-23-4. Recording ISBN 978-1-933633-24-1. Call 1-800-672-1789 or visit www.cokesbury.com to order.
This collection of twenty-one songs represents more than fifteen Native American communities. Musical scores capture the original melodies, some of which are provided in the original language with English translations. For each song, performance notes and background information are provided to bring additional meaning to the text and the musical ethos of the song itself. These notes also provide suggestions on how to incorporate the songs into a variety of worship styles and contexts.
As the editor observes, “Music has always been an integral part of Native American life. There were songs for every conceivable event in life. Native American worship music is primarily a corporate, communal experience. Each piece is intended to invoke a blessing on the entire worshiping community. When you join in singing these songs, we believe that you will experience that blessing.”
Worshiping communities in the United States and Canada should take the time to learn who the original habitants of their towns and cities were and to understand their histories. If possible, invite representatives from those tribes to teach you these songs.
Excerpt
Stay Tuned . . .
Faith Alive Christian Resources is planning to release two new collections in 2010: Hymns for Worship (Winter) and Global Songs for Worship (Summer). To learn more about these collections or to pre-order, visit www.FaithAliveResources.org or call 1-800-333-8300.