Unless a Grain of Wheat Shall Fall - Farrell

This hymn was written by English Roman Catholic composer, church-musician and social-justice activist (ref) Bernadette Farrell (b 1957). It is based in John 12:24.

It was 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 ...