O Loving God (Receive His/Her Soul) - McCoy

This is a funeral hymn, set to a traditional Irish song-tune.

The words were written by American Roman Catholic liturgical musician, singer and composer Paulette M McCoy (b 1953).

It was published in 2004 by OCP Publications, and sheet music for this arrangement, set by Randel DeBruyn, is still available (link below).

With meter 12 10 12 10, the hymn is set a tune which may be called either LONDONDERRY AIRE or AIR FROM COUNTY DERRY. This tune is also used for the Irish folk-song Danny Boy, and other hymns including I Cannot Tell why He Whom Angels Worship.

This hymn is not the same as the Celtic Song of Farewell - though they are both sung to the same tune.

Image from Pixabay

Downloads

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Sheet music from OCP

Examples

Choir with organ and violin - professional recording:

Choir with piano and violin

Singer with organ-voiced MIDI keyboard:

Singer with organ:

Singer with piano:

Instrumental: Native American flute with birdsong:

Lyrics

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

O loving God, we send our daughter(son) home to you ...

Chorus:
Receive her/his soul and let eternal light shine,
eternal light forever on her/his soul,
so she/he may be forever in your dwelling place,
and be at rest in peace until we meet her/him there

Vs. 2
O loving God, have mercy and forgiveness ...