New Song - "How Shall We Sing?"

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Here's the second new song by David MacGregor and myself. This was prompted at Songwrite 2018 by our guest speaker, Dr Tanya Riches, speaking about songs of lament and songs that were about our place, our land. I guess it started with a "Great Southland" idea but different. We started working in 3/4 but then I got the idea of a 4/4 thing with a Midnight Oil / Paul Kelly vibe and  I think David has pulled that off very well. Once again the demo is rough and we'll do a better recording in the near future. Now we just need a killer guitar riff...

How Shall We Sing?

How shall we sing the Lord’s song
in this strange land?
How shall we sing the Lord’s song
in this strange land?
This endless desert
These golden sands
This blue horizon
These green islands
How can we sing the song?
How can we sing the song?

How shall we hear God’s story
of this strange land?
How shall we hear God’s story
of this strange land?
This timeless dreaming
These rocks and bones
This wisdom people
Their ancient home
How can we sing the song?
How can we sing the song?

Come hear a new song
Come hear a new song
Come sing it loud
Come sing it strong

How shall we cry God’s weeping
for this strange land?
How shall we cry God’s weeping
for this strange land?
This broken homeland
These stolen years
Their hidden history
This trail of tears
How can we cry the song?
How can we cry the song?

How shall we live God’s story
in this strange land?
How shall we live God’s story
in this strange land?
With eyes wide open
and gaping hearts
With truthful longing
and stumbling start
How can we live the song?
How can we live the song?

Come sing a new song
Come sing a new song
Come sing it loud
Come sing it strong

How can we bring the Lord’s peace
in this strange land?
How can we bring the Lord’s peace
in this strange land?
With justice raining
When poor are blessed
With love outpouring
From east to west
How can we bring the song?
How can we bring the song?

Come sing a new song
Come sing a new song
Come sing it loud
Come sing it strong

Come sing a new song
Come sing a new song
Come sing it loud
Come sing it strong

lyrics: Craig Mitchell  © 2018
music: David MacGregor © 2018

From "Deeper Water" published by Mediacom Education 2021.

How_Shall_We_Sing_BACKING_DEMO01  (6.8 mb MP3) Control-lick or right-click to download

Comments

[Shawn Whelan]

Hi Craig, I'm getting an error trying to play or download the demo track. We're keen to use it next week, and would appreciate hearing it to get the feel. Could you email me a copy (and repost, when you get a chance)?

[craigmitchell]

Shawn, it works for me. It's an mp3. I'll try emailing you the mp3. The demo is pretty rough and doesn't quite get the Oils vibe that I'm after.

[Di Russell]

Hi Craig, On the Assembly resources for the Day of Mourning service on 23 January it says that a better recording will be available on https://vimeo.com/ showcase/8190244 but it is not yet there. We are starting to put our Order of Service together at Pilgrim and were hoping to include it. Do you have any idea when it will be available? Thanks. Di and Peter Russell

[craigmitchell]

Hi Di and Peter,
I'm working on the recording as we speak. Then I have to make the video. Hopefully it's all sorted by Monday at the latest!

Craig

[craigmitchell]

Here's the audio recording.

https://craigmitchell.typepad.com/mountain_masala/2022/01/how-shall-we-sing-recording.html

Craig