Zephaniah's Song

This hymn of rejoicing was written by Australian Roman Catholic priest and liturgist Fr Frank Andersen MSC.

It was originally published in the Eagles Wings collection, and so is now included in Scripture in Song - The Music of Frank Andersen MSC, which is still available.   Both of these publications include lead-sheet style sheet music. It was also included in Songs of the Spirit Volume 3, with a full score arranged by Erica Marshall.

The words are based on Zephaniah 3: 14-18 ("rejoice Jerusalem, the Lord has taken away your punishment").

The tune was written by Fr Andersen:  it has a 3/4 time signature, and in the key of G the first few bars are all sung on the note of G.   The first few notes in the chorus are  c c c cB A Bd G.

Inclusion of the song in Songs of the Spirit suggests that it was popular in the UK in the 1980s - but this seems to have waned, as no recordings of it have been found on YouTube.






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: small group with guitar-led band:


Lyrics

1 Yahweh your God lives within you!
Open your heart
And see how he comes
In power creating!
Forming you!

Chorus:
He will sing gladly his joy for you!
He will renew you in love!
He will rejoice and in deep delight dance for you!
He will sing gladly his joy for you!
He will renew you in love!
He will rejoice and in deep delight dance for you!

2 Jesus the Lord dwells within you
Don't be afraid
When God overshadows
His chosen creation!
God in you!

See more ...


KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
1 Yahweh your God lives within you!
Open your heart
And see how he comes
In power creating!
Forming you!

Chorus:
He will sing gladly his joy for you!
He will renew you in love!
He will rejoice and in deep delight dance for you!
He will sing gladly his joy for you!
He will renew you in love!
He will rejoice and in deep delight dance for you!

2 Jesus the Lord dwells within you
Don't be afraid
When God overshadows
His chosen creation!
God in you!

2 comments:

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOCIXyQxDQM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately that link just gave a "Video not available" message when I looked a it, but I was able to find some others. Thank you for inspiring me to go and look.

      Delete