A Musical Celebration of Summer 2015 & Laudato Si
“Lord, how glorious the dawn, the splendor of earth renewed…”
A friend of Dan Schutte’s just wrote me asking for a copy of the lyrics to a song I wrote some 30 years ago. “How Glorious Your Name” appeared on the 1985 double disk set called, “Steadfast Love,” which featured 22 songs from the 1984 version of the St. Louis Jesuits – Foley, Dufford, Schutte, and me. I regard it as our “lost” collection. There are so many wonderful songs on it. But, nnnnoooooo! I had to push the idea of a double ‘album’. Well, my bad judgment basically helped keep most of these pieces in hiddenness.
That being said, I went back to listen to “How Glorious” and the other 21. I was struck by the sense of awe in it. David Haas himself sang the solos (Verse 4 didn’t make it on the single disk reincarnation unfortunately). He just nailed it! Thanks ever so much, David! You really nailed those verses.
I thought that, in the wake of Pope Francis’ new encyclical, Laudato Si, and on this first official day of summer, 2015 in the northern hemisphere, I thought I’d share it with you.
9 Comments
What a neat experience this hymn brought about! From OCP to Dan to Roc to Nancy!!! I sang back- up with a friend when Dan came to our Diocese many years ago and presented a concert. My favorite music is liturgical music so I’m still singing and enjoying sharing it with people in my small congregation. Thank you Roc and Dan for all the beautiful hymns you gave us.
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Thanks, Roy. And that’s a great idea, to be singing “Send Us Your Spirit” in these days of grief and confusion. Way to go, Roy! –roc,sj
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OK – you made me pull out my copy of Steadfast Love. Dan will tell you that on more than one occasion I have told him that “Here I Am Lord” not withstanding, I think the best song he ever wrote is “Send Us Your Spirit, O Lord”. It is, or ought to be, a sacrilege that it’s not sung in every church in America every Pentecost! In this post-Charleston time, I find it a beautiful expression of what’s needed now too. Thanks for making be dig this CD out. Looking forward to seeing you and Dan – and the others – in September.
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OK. I need this album.
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And it shall be yours, Linda… for a tidy sum (!!!) Blessings to you! I trust you are out on your bike these days! –roc,sj
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Great art will not be lost but always rediscovered at the right time for the right moment. Thank you! I think there is a little “Franciscan” dwelling somewhere inside you! Laudato Si!
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Thanks, Candy, maybe it is time for it to make a come back. Who knows, eh? I hope there’s a bit of the “Franciscan” that’s influenced me. It’s a good way. Blessings! –roc,sj
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You’re right! I never really listened to this song intently and consequently overlooked its elegance and now its relevance to the spirit of “Laudato Si.” I will also need to go back to the album again and listen to “Send Us Your Spirit, O Lord.” I love Pentecost and was looking for an appropriate song to help me in prayer – Maybe this is the one!
And thanks for the explanation about the “double album.” I admit that the “many songs” on the album kind of discouraged me from truly listening to each one.
Ruth
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You named it, Ruth, the sheer volume of songs was daunting. My bad. I hope you find other gems there. “Send Us Your Spirit” certainly is one of them on the collection. Peace to you! –roc,sj
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