Angels (silently, wisdom unfurled) - Winter

This is a folk-style song about angels.

It was written by American Roman Catholic feminist musician, theologian, writer and Medical Mission Sister Miriam Therese Winter (b 1938) in 1994, in memory of a member of her religious community who had died (ref)

It was included in her 1996 book, Songlines - and this is the best source of sheet music for it today.

The lyrics were also quoted in her autobiography, The Singer and the Song.

The song is set to tune named ANGELS. This has a 3/4 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes of the melody are C E_ ED E_ D E F F_ with accompanying chords C / Cmaj7 / Dm.

angels in stained glass, overlooking a darkened church -

Downloads

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Examples

Solo singer with guitar - professional recording:

Lyrics

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

Angels, silently, wisdom unfurled,
watching carefully over our world,
helping, hovering, guarding and guiding:
thin the veil covering angels abiding.

Angels, unawares, into their keep,
take our many cares, rock them to sleep;
whisper, lovingly, words beyond knowing;
sing of eternity, guiding our growing.

Angels do begin songs that we sing,
nurture hope within till it takes wing;
link our destiny to one another,
trusting we too will be angels to others.

Angels, drawing near while we’re asleep,
beckon, "enter here into the deep,"
transform all regrets and empty scheming.
Their sacred silhouettes dance through our dreaming.

Angels, when we wake, come, one by one,
tasks to undertake till day is done.
Feel their tender care, masked though their form be.
Angels are everywhere. Welcome them warmly.

Angels we will see robed in shalom,
come to accompany our spirit home;
come to set us free, our last endeavour,
so that we too may be angels forever.