Recordings » Of Thanks and Wonder (1984)
Title: Of Thanks And Wonder
Artist: Kathleen Deignan, Schola
Year: 1984
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Musician(s): Evelyn Avoglia, Gina Sader-Rubenstein, Kathleen Deignan, Mary Liguori-Conroy
Drawn from a rich treasury of inspired songs, Of Thanks and Wonder is a collection of original offerings by Evelyn Avoglia and Kathleen Deignan, CND. First recorded in 1984 and reorchestrated here, this album showcases the novelty and freshness of two composers who have made a unique contribution to a contemporary music of praise that echoes in a a new voice the lyric poetry of the psalms.
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Track |
Hear |
Lyrics |
| 01. |
Of Thanks and Wonder |
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| 02. |
And Gabriel |
♫ |
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| 03. |
I Will Fall Like the Dew |
♫ |
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| 04. |
Let Us Give Ourselves |
♫ |
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| 05. |
Prepare a People |
♫ |
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| 06. |
Of John the Baptist |
♫ |
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| 07. |
If You’re Thirsty |
♫ |
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| 08. |
Arise Shine Out |
♫ |
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| 09. |
Lord of the Dance |
♫ |
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| 10. |
Psalm of Desire (Ps. 63) |
♫ |
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| 11. |
Be Here Among Us |
♫ |
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| 12. |
God the One |
♫ |
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| 13. |
Our Ways Are Not Your Ways |
♫ |
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| 14. |
Look to the Lilies |
♫ |
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| 15. |
God is a Lily of the Valley |
♫ |
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| 16. |
But You Spare All Things |
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| 17. |
God Has Stopped Here |
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I will fall like the dew on my people,
They shall bloom like the lily,
Fragrant beauty of the valley
And my fruitfulness will be theirs
I will be like the morning rain on Israel,
They shall strike root like a cedar grove,
Their splendor shall be like the olive tree,
And my fruitfulness will be theirs.
How could I turn from these my people?
How could I turn my face from them?
My heart is overwhelmed, my mercy stirred,
And my fruitfulness will be theirs.
Those who are wise will understand these things
Those who are hungry for new life
Straight are the paths that lead the just to me,
And my fruitfulness will be theirs.
Out from oppression I will lead them,
They shall come trembling like the doves,
And I will bring them to a land called home,
And my fruitfulness will be theirs.
Let us give ourselves to the love of God,
Which will transform us in the light of Christ.
To love as God loves, to will what God wills
Then we are pure and free.
God’s light will shine in the humble of heart,
Empty of selfish ways.
Offer your will to the service of love,
Obedient unto death.
Prepare a people for me
Prepare a people for me says the Lord
Prepare a people (3x)
See I send my messenger before you
To make straight a way for me.
John shall be the name we call him;
At his birth we shall rejoice.
He was formed in the desert of a barren womb
And he roamed the wilderness.
You, O child, are prophet of the most high God.
You shall go before the lord.
This child shall be great before the Lord
And the hand of God shall be with him.
I have placed my words in your mouth
And have set you over nations.
And there was a man, one sent from God
And this prophet’s name was John.
Behold the Lamb of God
He must grow now; I must disappear.
Among all those ever born of woman
There is no one greater than He.
What did you go to the desert to see?
A reed shaken by the wind?
No? Then what did you go to the desert to see?
A rich man dressed like some king?
Or did you go to the desert to see
The one they’re calling the “ prophet”?
Yes, than I tell you, a prophet is He-
The finest ever born of a woman.
This is He of whom the scripture says:
“I send my messenger before me”.
He shall prepare the way for me.
He’s the voice of one crying in your heart.
Believe me no one greater than John
Has ever been born of humankind.
Yet a humble member of the kingdom of God
Is even greater than He.
You say that men like John are just crazy.
So the Son of Man comes with laughter and song
But not even this could woo you.
Ah well, wisdom will see it through.
If you’re (thirsty/hungry) come unto the (waters/table)
Though you have no money come and (drink/eat) with joy.
Seek the Lord while God may be found
Calling out while God is near.
O listen, listen to me and have good things to eat
And you will have rich food to enjoy.
And if you come to me and if you hear my word,
You will know my name and you will live.
I make a covenant with you that’s meant to outlast time.
Out of all the favors promised unto the people
See I make you witnesses to stand before the nations.
I send you to the strangers in your midst.
O let us turn to our God who will take us close to heart
And take us back in such rich forgiveness,
For Yahweh is the hope of all who live.
Just as the rain and snow comes down from all the heavens
And can’t return without watering the earth
The soil will take the seed and yield us bread for eating
And so it is with every word from God.
Yes, you will walk with joy and be led with safety/
The mountains and hills will sing before you/
The trees will arch your way,
There’ll be no thorns and briars/
As sign forever given by our God.
Arise, shine out for your light has come.
The glory of Yahweh is rising on you.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Above you Yahweh now rises
And upon you God’s glory appears.
The nations come unto your light
And the world to your dawning brightness.
Lift up your eyes and look around
Your people are gathering about you.
Your sons return from far away
And your daughters are tenderly carried.
At this sight you’ll grow radiant and joyous
And your heart will be throbbing and full.
Since the wealth of the sea will flow to you
And the riches of nations be yours
From the ends of the earth they will come to you
Singing the praises of God
They come to the altar for favor.
(Vocals: Hauck, McFadden; Guitar: Bradley; bells: ; Keyboards: Avgerinos)
Psalm 63, for Jamie, 1973
Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.
God you are my God I’m seeking you,
Like water in a parched and barren land.
My soul thirsts for you, my flesh is longing for you;
I long to gaze upon your face.
There to see your power and your glory -
Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your sweet love means more than life itself,
My lips cannot stop proclaiming you.
All my life I will bless you, in your name I’ll lift up my hands.
My soul will thrill when you appear.
On my lips will be a song of praise,
In my mouth will be a hymn of joy.
Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia.
When I’m sleeping I will dream about you,
I will dream about you all night long.
How you’re always with me, I will sing for joy
In the shadow of your wings.
And my soul is clinging close to you,
And your right hand still is holding me
Alleluia, alleluia – alleluia, alleluia!
Deignan; adapted from a psalm text of Huub Oosterhuis, 1973
(vocals: Sibley, Schola; guitar: Bradley, keyboards: Avgerinos)
O be here among us, light in the midst of us
Be our savior, bring us to life
Be here among us, light in the midst of us
Be our savior, bring us to life
With you, we’re always with you
You hold us tight, you take our hand
You bring everything to a good end
You lead us on your steady way.
What is heaven without you?
Where are we on earth if you’re not there?
Though our bodies are broken and our hearts in pain,
You are the rock of our faith.
O you are the future that waits for us
The future that waits to be born.
Far from you life is not life,
Far from you there is nothing at all.
O Look to the lilies of the field
See the birds of the air
And in this know the Father’s love
In this see God’s care.
Do not worry about your life
What you will eat or wear.
Life is more than food and clothes.
No, the secret is not there.
Look at the birds of the air.
They do not reap or sow.
But our Father in heaven feeds them well
And we’re far more precious, you know.
See how the wild flowers grow.
They do not spin or weave.
Yet not even kings are arrayed like these.
Just open your eyes and believe.
So seek first the kingdom of God
And live only for today.
Then everything else will be given to you.
For that’s the Father’s holy way.
