Alleluya! 77 Songs for Thinking People

This book was edited by David Gadsby and John Hoggarth, and published by A&C Black Ltd of London in 1980.

It includes 77 songs, of which 72 are in English, 3 are in Hebrew and English, and one in each of Spanish and English.   Some songs are explicitly religious / Christian, while others are secular but about social-justice issues.

The melody edition has lead-sheet style music for most with guitar chords - but additional parts of voice or folks-instruments are provided in some cases.   Drawings by David McKee are also included for many of the songs.  McKee also did the cover design.

The book was printed by Hollen Street Press in Berkshire.

It has one index (songs by First-line), and a contents page which presents the songs in groups (everybody sing, love is the way, go and open the door, bound for glory, a few questions, needing somebody, let there be peace, standing in the need of prayer, everybody's building, come set us free, people of God, Amen).   There is also a page with tabulature diagrams of all the guitar chords which are used in the book.

The listing below is based on the melody edition, ISBN 0 7136 1999 6.  Two other editions were also published:   full music ISBN 0 7136 998 8   and words-only ISBN 0 7136 2000 5.

The book is now out-of-print, but copies may be available from Amazon: UK/Ireland or USA / rest-of-the-world.


About the contents listing

Composer, author and copyright ownership are shown as they are recorded in the book, in accordance with this site's copyright policies.    This means that the copyright information is not necessarily correct today.

Detail  pages for some songs are linked from the titles, and more detail-pages will be added as time and copyright permissions allow..  They may include:
  • background information about the hymn, 
  • the full lyrics, 
  • downloadable PowerPoint slides of the words, 
  • sheet music (lead-sheet and/or guitar chords only), 
  • (links to) samples of the song.  

If you own the copyright to any of these songs and would like to grant permission for items to be made available here, or to provide a link to sources where they are still available for sale, please contact us.


Table of Contents


Title (first-line) Number
A Better World 60
Wake up each day, sun shining through / Morning is the time, make each day seem fine
Lyrics & tune: Chris and John Hoggarth © Chris and John Hoggarth, 1967
Score: Lead sheet
Key: G
Starting note: B
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 2
A Few Questions 36
Where have all the seals gone? Where are the whales? / They're all gone away
Lyrics & tune: Brian Fitzgerald © Brian Fitzgerald
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: F
Time signature: 12/8
Number of verses: 2
Published in 'Sounds Great 6' by the Education Department of Victoria, Australia
A Rose is Sweet 44
Bring me a rose in the wintertime
Lyrics: Ernie Lieberman (Sheldon) © Harrison Music Corp, 1964
Tune: Ernie Lieberman (Sheldon) © Harrison Music Corp
Setting: Second part: Timothy Roberts
Score: One voice and a part for treble recorder
Key: D
Starting note: A
Time signature: 3/4
Number of verses: 4
Abundently 16
From mountains high, cool waters flow
Lyrics: Yohann Anderson © Songs and Creations, 1972
Tune: Melody: Yohann Anderson. Descant: Timothy Roberts © Songs and Creations, 1972
Score: Two-voices with guitar chords and chimes/glockienspiel accompaniment
Key: C
Starting note: G
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Agada / The Legend of Lake Kineret 47
Al Sfat Yam Kineret (On the shores of Lake Kineret)
Lyrics: Yaakov Fichman © Not stated
Tune: Chanina Krichevsky © Not stated
Score: One voice and a part for flute, violin or recorder
Key: Dm
Starting note: A
Time signature: Common
Number of verses: 3
All my Trials 63
Hush little baby, don't you cry / All my trials Lord, soon be over
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: C
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
All Night all Day 75
Day is dying in the west / All night all day, angls watching over me my Lord
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Lead sheet
Key: G
Starting note: D
Time signature: 2/4
Number of verses: 2
Alleluya 6
Let all the people raise their joyful song of praise
Lyrics: Robert J Figures © Robert J Figures
Tune: Troyte, adapted by Charles Cleall, Robert J Figures and William Russell © Charles Cleall, Robert J Figures and William Russell
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: High D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Amen Amen 77
Amen Amen / See the baby lying in a manger
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Lead sheet
Key: F
Starting note: F
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 5
Blowin' in the Wind 31
How many roads must a man walk down / The answer my friend is blowign in the wind
Lyrics & tune: Bob Dylan © Warner Bros Music Ltd, 1962 and 1963
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: G
Time signature: Cut
Number of verses: 3
Building Song, The 59
All Over the World / Everybody's building, everybody's building
Lyrics: David Winter © Chappell Music Ltd, 1972
Tune: Roger Hurrell © Chappell Music Ltd, 1972, Bradbury Wood Ltd and Chappell Music Ltd
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: Low A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Bus Story 23
Now lady please move over / No one talkes to anyone is buses
Lyrics & tune: Leon Rosselson © Leon Rosselson, 1974
Score: Lead sheet
Key: Am
Starting note: Low A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
By the Waters of Babylon 68
By the water, the waters of Babylon
Lyrics: Unknown
Tune: Traditional
Score: Lead sheet
Key: Am
Starting note: A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Based on Psalm 137
Can't Help but Wonder 34
It's a long and dusty road
Lyrics & tune: Tom Paxton © Harmony Music Ltd, 1963, Cherry Lane Music, New York
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: E
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 5
Children Go I will Send You 57
Children Go, I will send you
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 6
Close to You 15
I watch the sunrise, lighting the sky / But you are always close to me
Lyrics: John Glynn © Kevin Mayhew Publications
Tune: Colin Murphy © Kevin Mayhew Publications
Score: Lead sheet
Key: A
Starting note: E
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Donna Donna 64
On a wagon bound for market / How the winds are laughing
Lyrics & tune: Sheldon Secunda,. Aaron, Zeitlin, Arthur Kevess and Teddi Schwartz © Belwin Mills Music, 1965, Mills Music Inc
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: E
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Fields are White, The 56
The fields are white unto harvest time / Pray to the Lord of the harvest
Lyrics & tune: Rev Michael Baughen © M A Baughen, 1964
Score: Lead sheet
Key: G
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Forever Free 12
Well I was walking' along / I found a new life, forever free
Lyrics & tune: Yohann Anderson © Songs and Creations, 1972
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: C
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
From Both Sides Now 33
Bows and flows of angel hair / I've looked at love from both sides now
Lyrics & tune: Joni Mitchell © Essex Music International Ltd, 1967 and 1972 Siquomb Publishing, New York
Score: Lead sheet
Key: A
Starting note: E
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Games People Play, The 21
O the games people play, now / La da, da da, da, da da
Lyrics & tune: Joe South © Lowery Chappell Music, 1968
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: F
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
God Loves a Cheerful Giver 2
God Loves a Cheerful Giver / Peter always made a fuss
Lyrics & tune: Miriam-Therese Winter © Vanguard Music Corp, 1966, Medical Mission Sisters
Score: Lead sheet
Key: G
Starting note: G
Time signature: 2/4
Number of verses: 3
Guantanamera 11
I give me songs to the people / Guantanamera guajira Guantanamera
Lyrics: Geoffrey Brace, translated from a work by José Marti © Cambridge University Press - from '35 Songs from 35 countries'
Tune: Adapted by Hector Agnulo and Pete Seeger. Second part: Peter Nickol © Harmony Music Ltd
Score: Melody line for voice and descant for flute or recorder, with guitar chords
Key: E
Starting note: High C
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Happiness Is 5
Happiness is ... different things to different people / To a preacher it's a prayer, prayer, prayer
Lyrics & tune: Paul Parnes and PaulErans © Belwin Mills Music, 1965, Mills Music Inc
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: Low A
Time signature: Cut
Number of verses: 3
Hévénu Shalom 49
Hévénu shalom alChem
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: One voice and xylophone
Key: Em
Starting note: Low B
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 1
Hey Mr Tambourine Man 40
Hey Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me / Though I know that evening's empire
Lyrics & tune: Bob Dylan © Warner Bros Music Ltd, 1962 and 1963, M Witmark and Sons
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: High C
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Hey Now Everybody Sing 1
Hey, now, everybody sing, everybody sing to the Lord our God
Lyrics & tune: Orien Johnson © Gentry Publications, 1961
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: High c
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 1
I'm on my Way 27
I'm on my way to Freedom Land
Lyrics: Spiritual
Tune: Spiritual
Score: One voice and a part for flute, violin or recorder
Key: G
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 5
It's Me O Lord 51
Not my brother or my sister / It's me, it's me, it's me O Lord, standing in the need of prayer
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Lead sheet
Key: G
Starting note: B
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho 70
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho / You may talk about your king of Gideon
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Lead sheet
Key: Em
Starting note: E
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Kol Dodi 18
Kol dodi, kol dodi, dol dodi hiné ze ba / Hark my beloved
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: Lead sheet
Key: Em
Starting note: E
Time signature: 2/4
Number of verses: 2
Last Night I had the Strangest Dream 45
Last night I had the strangest dream / I dreamed I saw a mighty room, and the room was filled with men
Lyrics & tune: Ed McCurdy © Kensington Music Ltd
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: G
Time signature: 3/4
Number of verses: 4
Let There be Peace on Earth 42
Lyrics & tune: Jill Jackson and Sy Miller © Jan Lee Music, 1955
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: C
Time signature: 3/4
Number of verses: 1
Little Boxes 22
Little boxes on the hillside /
Lyrics & tune: Malvina Reynolds © Tro-Essex Music Ltd, 1963
Score: Lead sheet
Key: A
Starting note: E
Time signature: 3/4
Number of verses: 4
Live, Live, Live 67
Live, Live, Live, Jesus is living in myu soul / Hanging on a tree, he prayed for you and me
Lyrics: Marcus Uzilovsky © Oaksprings Productions, 1974
Tune: Marcus Uzilovsky © Oaksprings Productions, 1974
Setting: Second part: Timothy Roberts
Score: One voice and a part for flute, xylophone or recorder
Key: C
Starting note: G
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Love is His Word 17
Love is His Word, love is his way / Richer than gold is the love of my Lord
Lyrics: Luke Connaughton © Mayhew-McCrimmon Ltd
Tune: Melody: Anthony Milner. Descant: Timothy Roberts © Mayhew-McCrimmon Ltd
Score: Melody line with guitar chords, with part for recorder, flute or violin
Key: C
Starting note: E
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 7
Lullaby for the Times 13
On with your shoes, come let me help you
Lyrics & tune: Ewan MacColl © Harmony Music Ltd, 1962, Stormking Music, New York
Score: Melody line for voice and descant for flute, violin or recorder, with guitar chords
Key: C
Starting note: C
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Magic Penny 10
It's just like a magic penny / Love is something if you give it away
Lyrics & tune: Malvina Reynolds © Leeds Music, 1955, Northern Music Company Ltd
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 2
Make me a Channel of Your Peace 43
Make me a channel of your peace / O Master grant that I may never seek
Lyrics & tune: Sebastian Temple © Franciscian Communications Center, Los Angeles, CA
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: F
Time signature: 2/2
Number of verses: 4
Mary Don't You Weep 62
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn / If I could, I surely would
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Two voices
Key: G
Starting note: B
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 2
Moses I Know You're the Man 73
Moses I know you're the man the Lord said / So every day, we're on our way
Lyrics & tune: Estelle White © Mayhew-McCrimmon Ltd
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 5
Movin' on Song 39
Born in the middle of the afternoon
Lyrics & tune: Ewan McColl © Harmony Music Ltd, 1964, Stormking Music, New York
Score: Lead sheet
Key: Am
Starting note: E
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 6
Music of the World a Turnin' 19
I hear the music of the world a'turnin' / I hear the symphony of traffic in the city
Lyrics & tune: Estelle Levitt and Dan Thomas © April Music / Blackwood Music Incorporated, 1965
Score: Lead sheet
Key: G
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
No-where Man 20
He's a real no-where man / Doesn't have a point of view
Lyrics & tune: John Lennon and Paul McCartney © ATV Music, 1965 - Northern Songs for the World
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: G
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Now let us Sing 7
Now let us sing / Sing to the power of the Lord come down
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: Lead sheet
Key: A
Starting note: A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 2
Oh the Lord Looked Down 72
Oh the Lord looked down from his window in the sky / Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord
Lyrics & tune: Unknown
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
One Man's Hands 61
One man's hands can't break a prison down / But if two and two and fifty make a million
Lyrics: Alex Comfort © Harmony Music Ltd, 1962, Fall River Music
Tune: Pete Seeger © Harmony Music Ltd, 1962, Fall River Music
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: C
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Peace is Flowing Like a River 48
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: One voice and a part for descant recorder
Key: G
Starting note: B
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Peace will soon Come to Be 46
I look around, loving / Sun on the sea, saves on the shore
Lyrics & tune: Chris and John Hoggarth © Chris and John Hoggarth, 1979
Score: One voice and a part for flute, recorder or voice
Key: C
Starting note: E
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Praise to the Lord our God 8
Praise to the Lord our God, let us sing together
Lyrics & tune: Estelle White © Kevin Mayhew Publications
Score: Melody line for two voices, with guitar chords
Key: F
Starting note: F
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 1
This is a round with four entry points
Put your Hand in the Hand 50
Put your hand in the hand of the man / Every time I look into the holy book, I want to tremble
Lyrics & tune: Gene MacLellan © Ardmore and Beechwood Ltd, London / Beechwood Music, Canada, 1970
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: Low A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Rain and Sun 24
Rain falling, sun shining
Lyrics: Odette Thomas © Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications Ltd, 1975
Tune: Chris Cameron © Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications Ltd, 1975
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: High C
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 1
Raindrops keep Falling on my Head 58
Lyrics: Hal David © Interworld Music Ltd, 1969, Blue Seas Music Ltd, Jac Music Co Ltd and Twentieth Century Music Corp Ltd
Tune: Burt Bacarach © Interworld Music Ltd, 1969, Blue Seas Music Ltd, Jac Music Co Ltd and Twentieth Century Music Corp Ltd
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: F
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Rise and Shine 74
Rise and Shine, and give God his glory, glory / The Lord said to Noah, there's gonna be a floody, floody
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: One voice and a part for glockenspiel or xylophone.
Key: C
Starting note: E
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 6
Shalom my Friend 76
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: One voice and a part for descant recorder
Key: Dm
Starting note: Low A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 1
Silver Trumpet 26
Well I've never been to heaven, but I've been told / O hand me down, oh hand me down
Lyrics & tune: Not stated - from 'Songs of Joy' © Salvationist Publishing and Supplied Ltd, 1970
Score: Chorus arranged for two voices, and lead sheet
Key: F
Starting note: High C
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Sing a Song of Freedom 66
As I look around me I see the world in a different light / Sing a song of freedom, everyone join in
Lyrics & tune: Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett © Big Secret Music Ltd, 1971
Score: Lead sheet
Key: G
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 2
Sing Hosanna 3
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising / Sing Hosannao
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Sinner Man 53
O sinner man where will you run to / Run to the rocks, rocks won't you hide me?
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: One voice and descant recorder
Key: Dm
Starting note: A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Somebody got Lost in a Storm 54
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 5
Streets of London 41
Have you seen the old man in the closed down market / So how can you tell me you're lonely
Lyrics & tune: Ralph McTell © Essex Music International Ltd, 1968 and 1972
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: F
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Temptation 52
Temptation get away from me / I mean to shine like a little star
Lyrics & tune: Malvina Reynolds © Schroder Music Co Ltd, 1965
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
The Lord's Day 4
This is the day, this is the day
Lyrics & tune: Fijian traditional
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
This Little Light of Mine 14
The light that shines is the light of love / This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: Lead sheet
Key: G
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 2
This Train 25
This train is bound for glory, this train
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: D
Time signature: Cut
Number of verses: 3
Tramp on the Street, The 71
Only a tramp was Lazarus that begged
Lyrics & tune: Grady and Hazel Cole © Dixie Music Publishing Company, 1940 and 1947
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: F
Time signature: 3/4
Number of verses: 6
A modern Gospel song, based on the story of Dives and Lazarus, and the death of Christ
Turn Turn Turn 32
To everything, turn, turn, turn. / A time to be born, a time to die
Lyrics & tune: Pete Seeger © Tro-Essex Music Ltd, 1962, Melody Trails Inc
Score: One voice and a part for flute, violin or recorder
Key: C
Starting note: C
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Twelves Gates to the City 29
O what a beautiful city / Three gates into the east
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Lead sheet
Key: F
Starting note: F
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
Ush'avtem Mayim 65
Ush'avtem mayim b'ason /
Lyrics: Unknown
Tune: E Amiran © Not stated
Score: Lead sheet
Key: Am
Starting note: Low A
Time signature: 2/4
Number of verses: 2
From Isaiah 12:3. Translation: Joyfully shall you draw upon the fountain of deliverance.
Wade in the Water 69
Wade in the water / See that band all dressed in white
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Lead sheet
Key: Em
Starting note: E
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 2
We are Crossing Jordan River 28
We are crossing that Jordan River / Jordan River deep and wide
Lyrics & tune: Spiritual
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: D
Time signature: Common
Number of verses: 4
What have they Done to the Rain 35
Just a little rain, falling all around / Just a little boy standing in the rain
Lyrics & tune: Malvina Reynolds © Tro-Essex Music Ltd, 1962, Schroder Music Co Ltd
Score: Lead sheet
Key: C
Starting note: G
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 2
When I on my Journey 30
When I on my journey, don't you weep after me
Lyrics: Spiritual
Tune: Spiritual
Score: One voice and a part for flute, and a percussion rhythm for maracas or claves
Key: D
Starting note: A
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
Where Have all the Flower Gone 37
Where have all the flower gone / When will they ever learn?
Lyrics: Peter Seeger © Harmony Music Ltd, 1961, Fall River Music
Tune: Peter Seeger © Harmony Music Ltd, 1961, Fall River Music
Setting: Second part: Timothy Roberts
Score: One voice and a part for treble recorder
Key: C
Starting note: G
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 6
With a LIttle Help from my Friends 38
What would you do Iif I sag out of tune / I get by with a little help from my friends
Lyrics & tune: John Lennon and Paul McCartney © ATV Music, 1967 - Northern Songs for the World
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: F
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 3
You've got to Walk that Lonesome Valley 55
You've got tot walk tha tlonesome valley
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: Lead sheet
Key: G
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 4
You've Gotta Move 9
You've gotta move when the Spirit says move
Lyrics & tune: Traditional
Score: Lead sheet
Key: D
Starting note: D
Time signature: 4/4
Number of verses: 5

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