I Go my Merry Way / The Sun in my Heart

This is a song about living joyfully, which can be used at the end a churchservice.

The words are based on a French-language religious folk-song, Tous Les Chemins, written in 1961 by Belgian Roman Catholic Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers (1933-1985), who was at the time Benedictine Sister Luc Gabriel OP: She became known to the world as the "Singing Nun" or "Soeur Sourire, O.P." - composer of the chart-topping song "Dominique",

This song was Deckers follow-up recording. It was translated to English by French song-writer Noël Regney (1922-2002), and included a collection Songs of the Singing Nun, published in 1963 by General Music Publishing, New York USA and Flamingo Music Limited, London, England.

Several Girl-Guide/Scout associations have used it as a campfile song (source - and see a video below).

Filipino Roman Catholic priest Arnel dC. Aquino, S. J recorded it as as a meditative instrumental in 2005 - but videos show that the the English-language song in its more energetic form has become popular. It is sometimes incorrectly attributed to Aquino, and it it is likely that he has performed it live.

The song is set to an unnamed tune, also by Deckers. This has a Cut-common time signature. In the key of A, the first few notes of the melody are A c c_ B A_ A_ A A_ G F__ with accompanying chords A / D / A.

Image adapted from HippoPx

Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).

Examples

Choir, with guitar and tambourine, live in a church-service

Informal choir, unaccompanied

Choir and congregation with guitars, live in a church service

Singer with guitar, words on-screen

This is a good version for learning the tune

Singer, unaccompanied

Small group and congregation with piano

Remastered recording by The Singing Nun - with mandolin?

Instrumental - piano

Instrumental - words on-screen:

Lyrics

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

Chorus:
A song on my lips, with love in my heart,
I go my merry way.
The sun in my eyes, the sun in my heart
Lights up my step, from day to day.

1. Every roads through hills and valleys,
Leads to heaven by and by.
And the wind that sweeps the alley,
Points a finger to the sky.

2. Many friends are on the highway,
And they’re waiting for a smile,
Walk along my friends on highway,
Holding hands a little while.

3. There are times of stress and sorrows,
When goals drifts out of sight,
But the road leads to tomorrow,
To the place of peace and light.

4. Then we’ll all be reunited,
Singing on eternal chord,
For we know we’ve been invited,
To the mansion of the Lord.