Go in Peace to be Christ's Body

This is a hymn for the end of a church-service.

It was written by Indian Roman Catholic priest, musician, liturgist and composer, Aniceto Nazareth (1938-2021).

With meter 10.9.10.9 with refrain, it is set to an unnamed tune, also by Nazareth. In the key of G, the first few notes of the melody are GA G_ DEG F F_ with accompanying chords G / Em / Bm / G.

It was first published by Kevin Mayhew Ltd in 1984, and has been included in some of their books including Catholic Hymns Old and New, 2009 - and this is the best current source of sheet music for the song. The book is currently available new from the publisher or sometimes on Amazon.

Inage adapted from Fernando Gallego - The Blessing Christ

Downloads

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No downloadable versions have been found, of either performances or the sheet music. If you know where to find one, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Examples

Singer with piano - live in a church service:

Singer with backing track, words on-screen:

Small choir with piano:

Choir with backing track:

Lyrics

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

Chorus:
Go in peace to be Christ’s Body,
Go in peace, proclaim His Word.
You have shared His dying and His rising:
Go in peace, Christ lives in you.

1. But, our treasure is in earthen vessels,
Proving we are weak and need God's strength.
Bearing in our flesh the death of Jesus,
We must show his life at work in us.

2. Though our outer nature may seem wasted,
Daily is the inner self renewed.
For the love of Jesus Christ controls us,
Since we know that one man died for all.