Joy is Like the Rain

This hymn about joy was written by American Roman Catholic and Medical Mission Sister Miriam Therese Winter (b 1938), in 1965 inspired by her early experiences in after joining a convent shortly before Vatican II.

It was the title-track of Winter's 1966 LP and the accompanying sheet music collection. The LP is now out of print but copies are often available on Amazon.  The songbook is still available from the Medical Mission Sisters website.

The song was later included in Winter's music book, Songlines and is also in some other books, eg Let the People Sing (link below).  These are the best sources of sheet-music for the song.

It was used in very many countries by Catholic missionaries in the 1960s and 70s.  and Winter has commented (see video below) that wherever she went, it had arrived before her.   The range of YouTube videos shows that it is still sung in many places today, and that it is used in a range of denominations.

The tune, which Winter named JOY IS LIKE THE RAIN, has a 4/4 time signature.  In the key of D the first few notes are DFEB, CEDA,  with accompanying guitar chords D / Em / A7 / D. 


Raindrops on a window:   1 I saw raindrops on my window, Joy is like the rain. Laughter runs across my pain, slips away and comes again. Joy is like the rain. 2 I saw clouds upon a mountain, Joy is like a cloud. Sometimes silver, sometimes gray, always sun not far away. Joy is like a cloud. 3 I saw Christ in wind and thunder, Joy is tried by storm. Christ asleep within my boat, whipped by wind, yet still afloat. Joy is tried by storm. 4 I saw raindrops on the river, Joy is like the rain. Bit by bit the river grows, till all at once it overflows.Joy is like the rain
Image adapted from MaxPixel -
Licensed under Creative Commons Zero - CC0.


Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).


Examples

Original recording:



Adult soloist with keyboard and light percussion:


Teaching track for a children's choral competition entry:


The composer, telling the story of why the song was written, and leading a group of singing it (starts ) - piano accompaniment:


Trio - unaccompanied:


Instrumental - piano:


Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:
1 I saw raindrops on my window,
Joy is like the rain.
....
....
Joy is like the rain.

2 I saw clouds upon a mountain,
....
Joy is like a cloud.

3 I saw Christ in wind and thunder, ...
Joy is tried by storm.

4 I saw raindrops on the river ...

See more ...

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
I saw raindrops on the window,
Joy is like the rain.
Laughter runs across my pain,
Slips away and comes again,
Joy is like the rain.

I saw clouds upon a mountain,
Joy is like a cloud.
Sometimes silver, sometimes gray,
Always sun not far away.
Joy is like a cloud.

I saw Christ in wind and thunder,
Joy is tried by storm.
Christ asleep within my boat,
Whipped by winds, yet still afloat,
Joy is tried by storm.

I saw raindrops on the river,
Joy is like the rain.
Bit by bit the river grows,
Till all at once it overflows.
Joy is like the rain.

No comments:

Post a Comment