It's a Brand New Day

This is a folk-rock style hymn about new beginnings. It is, very broadly, a paraphrase of Psalm 8.

The song was written by American liturgical musician and at-the-time Roman Catholic Jesuit priest Paul Quinlan (b 1938). It was the cover-song of an album of Quinlan's works originally released by in 1969 by Brophy College Preparatory, Phoenix, Ariz. The album was later re-released as "Paul Quinlan And The New Day" by North American Liturgy Resources (ref),

The song also gave its name to the title of a CD released by Robert Kochis in 2011, which includes ten especially-memorable Catholic folk songs of the 60s / 70s, including works by Ray Repp, Joe Wise, Paul Quinlan, James Thiem and the Dameans.

No source of sheet music has been located - if you know where it can be obtained, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Downloads

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Examples

Original recording: eight priests with guitar accompaniment

Professional recording of a performance in Carnegie Hall by the Paul Quinlan Trio:

Singer with guitar:

Early recording - small folk-choir with guitar:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

1 It's a brand new day, ev'rything is fine
.... no matter what autumn breezes bring.

Chorus:
So put away cares, let freedom be yours
Joy is everywhere, joy is everywhere
Let freedom ring, Alleluia now
Ev'rybody sing,
Let our voices shout to a mighty King.

2 Well the heaven's declare in a way so grand
.... bring news of a Father's guiding hand.

3 His law of love, it is wholly wise
....that follows a time of wind and rain.