Unless a Grain of Wheat Shall Fall - Farrell

This hymn shares some of Jesus' teaching from the latter part of his public ministry, as recorded in scripture. It is based on John 12:24.

The song was written by English Roman Catholic composer, church-musician and social-justice activist (ref) Bernadette Farrell (b 1957), and originally released in 1983, published by (the predecessor to) OCP Publications.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Farrell. This has a 3/4 time signature. In the key of Em, the first few notes are B, D_ D A_ A F_ E D_ with accompanying chords D / D7 / Bm / Bm7.

Image credit: Wikipedia

Downloads

Downloadable sheet music for Voice and Piano, with guitar chords; 2 pages

Examples

Singer, self-accompanied on piano:

Choir and cantor, with piano - professional recording set to photographs:

Choir with piano - recorded live in a church service:

Original recording, with slideshow

Singer with piano - on-screen lyrics:

Instrumental - piano:

Lyrics

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

Chorus:
Unless a grain of wheat shall fall upon the ground and die,
it remains but a single grain with no life.

1 If we have died with him then we shall live with him ...

2 If anyone serves me then they must follow me ...

3 Make your home in me as I make mine in you ...

4 If you remain in me and my word lives in you ...

5 Those who love me are loved by my Father ...

6 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you ...