Go the Mass is Ended Children of the Lord

This is an energetic, cheerful recessional hymn. It was written by English teacher and religious sister, Maria Lydia Pereia (b 1920), and first published in Hymns Old and New - A Hymnbook for the Irish Church in 1977.

It is one of a category of hymns which were written to teach people about parts of the liturgy. As such, it was useful when first written - but less so today, except for working with children. However it is still included in the 2009 Catholic edition of Hymns Old and New, and this book is the best source of sheet music for the song.

The unnamed tune was written by Pereia, and has a 4/4 time signature. In they key of E the first few notes are E C E A cc.

It is not the same as Sebastian Temple's song The Mass is Ended - or another song by Pereira which starts "Now the Mass is ended, it's time to go".

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).

No downloadable versions have been found, of either performances or the sheet music. If you know where to find one, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Examples

Choir? and congregation with organ - recorded live in a church service:

Singer with backing track - professional recording:

Small group with organ backing:

Instrumental - electronic organ:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website.

The song has three verses, each one is eight lines long.

A rough outline is:

Go, the Mass is ended, children of the Lord.
.... And he loves ev’ryone.

2 Go, the Mass is ended, take his love to all.
.... The peace and joy of Christ.

3 Go, the mass is ended, strengthened in the Lord,
... To make God known and loved.