My People (The Reproaches) - Andersen

This hymn is a simple setting of the traditional Good Friday text, The Reproaches (aka the Improperia), by Australia priest and liturgist, Frank Andersen MSC.

The tune by Andersn is un-named, has 4/4 time signature and starts with the note of G repeated a number of times.   It is inlcuded in his still- available publication Scripture in Song - the Music of Frank Andersen.

Examples

Small group with piano accompaniment:

Solo singer with guitar and backing track (ends abruptly):

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available, along with a midi backing track, on this website.

The song starts with a two-line chorus, and this is repeated after each of the five verses. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
My people,my people, what have I done to you?
For in what way have I offended you?
Answer me.
Answer me.

1 I led you safely out of Egypt.

2 I opened up the sea before you.

3 I raised you to the heights of glory.