Category Blog

Good Friday Agreement Services and 10 Year Anniversary Concert

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It was such a privilege to be involved this month in celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. You can view two services we were involved with, both of which were extremely moving to be a part of. 

And we’re happy to announce that bookings are open for our 10 Year Anniversary Concert and launch of our new non profit, Celtic Pilgrims CIC. Find out more about the event and book your ticket here. For those who can’t attend in person, there’s an option to donate to the non profit and receive a link to the streamed concert so you can join us from wherever you are.

2nd June 10 Year Anniversary Concert, Friday 7:30pm Black Box, Belfast

Celtic Psalms at the Four Corners Festival 2023

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It was a joy and a privilege to be involved in the Four Corners Festival in Belfast last week. The purpose of the festival dovetailed well with Celtic Psalms’ hope of bringing people together across community divides.

We sang at the opening event, “Dreaming God’s Dream” with Julieann Morran, about the community-level discernment going on in the Catholic Church at the moment, and the hope of walking together as ecumenical siblings. You can view the event here: https://www.facebook.com/4cornersfestival/videos/697369735306827

We also sang at the BBC Sunday Service, which featured voices from across the city and offered a beautiful and challenging vision of the future of Northern Ireland. You can listen to the service here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001hw0s?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile&fbclid=IwAR23TW-VYDRcq2SGL2OIZ3DZ6bFanfTJYWPdzzu6JCjdv55VQ6kRQv1hBVs

Kiran led Nightprayer alongside Jim Deeds every night of the festival, featuring a few Celtic Psalms songs along the way. You can catch up on those 20 minute sessions here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJQK4bRPywj2HGZW_PI1X9w

As we hold onto the insights and inspiration from the festival, may we keep dreaming God’s dream together.

Interview with Kiran, New Album Available on Digital Platforms

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View interview –> HERE <–

A bit of behind-the-scenes from Redbox Studios where we’ve recorded all the Celtic Psalms albums since 2013. Today, our NEW ALBUM Celtic Psalms: May We Rise is available on DIGITAL PLATFORMS (Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, iTunes etc etc). Oonagh Derby of Redbox was such a warm interviewer, and it was a special opportunity to tell the story behind one song, Love and Mercy, which has been a favorite from the new album that we’ve already sung in many concerts and services. Lovely film work and editing by Cormac O’Kane et al – with thanks to Redbox for the opportunity to talk about the background to this music, which was initially recorded during the Covid summer of 2020. Hope you enjoy the new album.

Here are some easy links to our new album Celtic Psalms: May We Rise (2022):

https://open.spotify.com/album/3mpciwqFmC18qaBfCNmPNP

https://music.apple.com/…/celtic-psalms-may…/1660897244

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BQR1GMXF

You can also always download the mp3s directly from our website, which is the best way to support our music… just click on the image above.

Celtic Psalms on RTE Sunday Service this week

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Celtic Psalms on RTE Sunday Service this week

Celtic Psalms will be on RTE (Irish National Television) Sunday Service this week, on 17 July 2022 at 11am Ireland Time (6am Eastern Time).

Tune in to the RTE Player or live TV for a services focused on Psalms of Lament and Hope.

CLICK HERE FOR RTE PLAYER

Psalms for the Spirit Podcast

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Find the podcast at https://psalms-for-the-spirit.captivate.fm/ or subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

For those who enjoy Celtic Psalms music, you might also be interested in checking out the Psalms for the Spirit Podcast.

Rev. Kiran Young Wimberly explores the connection between spirituality and resilience with a wide range of guests, hearing about how the Psalms weave into the spiritual journey, how they lead us toward healing and hope, and how they lift our spirits in difficult times.

Celtic Psalms music is featured in every episode, speaking into the themes that arise in the conversations.

Celtic Psalms for Resilience Playlist

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The psalms are an endless supply of something we all need right now: resilience. Here is a playlist of soulful songs that connect us with our lament and remind us of our hope. Click on the link below and listen while doing something that gives you joy today.

Celtic Psalms for Resilience Playlist:

Celtic Psalms from Lent into Easter

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Celtic Psalms from Lent into Easter

If you’re  looking for some ideas for music to use in your congregations for the Lenten/Easter season, here’s a  resource we’ve compiled featuring Celtic Psalms arrangements for Ash Wednesday, the weeks of Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and into the Easter season. I’ve included songs from our three albums and (where available) have provided links to mp3s, full scores published by GIA, hymnsheets for congregational singing, youtube videos showing live versions of the songs, and the full album for each song. Many psalms fit well into the Lenten themes of longing, lament, repentance, forgiveness, betrayal, redemption, salvation, and hope, and the soulful sounds of the Irish and Scottish melodies help to draw some of the raw emotions of this season of the liturgical year.

Ash Wednesday

From the Depths (Psalms 130, 131/The Quiet Land of Erin)

 

 

lyrics | GIA full score | hymn sheet |  youtube | full album

Key text: repeated refrain “With God, forgiveness can be found”

How to use: The refrain can be sung antiphonally, first by soloist/small group and repeated by congregation.

Featured instruments: guitar, viola, cello. Piano accompaniment is available in full score, and cello/C instrument scores can be ordered through GIA.

Lent

O God You Are My God (Psalm 63/Eleanor Plunkett)

 

 

lyrics | GIA full score | hymn sheet | youtube link 1 | youtube link 2 | full album

Key text: O God, you are my God, and I long for you… My whole being desires you, like a dry land, like a dry land

How to use: This is a beautiful introit. The first verse can be sung by a soloist and then a choir can then sing verse 1 and 2.

Featured instruments: guitar, harp, C instrument. Piano accompaniment available in full score.

 

As the Deer Longs for Streams (Psalm 42/Down by the Sally Gardens)

 

 

lyrics | GIA full score | hymn sheet | youtube | full album

Key text: As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you

How to use: Because this melody is well known, it can easily be used as a congregational hymn (see hymn sheet link above).

Featured instruments: guitar, C instrument. Piano accompaniment available in full score, and C instrument scores can be ordered through GIA.

Hear My Cry O God (Psalm 61/Caisleán an Óir)

 

 

lyrics | GIA full score | hymn sheet | youtube | full album

Key text: Hear my cry, O God, and listen to my prayer when my heart is faint

How to use: This is a fast-paced song, but it is still one of urgent longing and yearning. This can serve as an anthem or special music at some point in the service. Because the arrangement is a bit more complicated, it is usually best to have a small group or choir sing it, but if you have an especially musically gifted congregation, it can also work to have the congregation join in on the melody the second time, and then split them into two parts to follow two leaders for the round the third time through (see https://vimeo.com/204894523 minute 26.00).

Featured instruments: guitar, bódhran, (or any kind of hand drum), C instrument. Piano accompaniment available in full score, and C instrument scores can be ordered through GIA.

The God of Jacob (Psalm 46/The Dawning of the Day)

 

 

lyrics | GIA full score | hymn sheet | youtube | full album

Key text: The God of Jacob is our strength, our help in times of trouble… The Lord Almighty is with us, our refuge, evermore 

How to use: This melody is simple enough to serve as a congregational hymn. Or, the verses can be sung by soloists/duets and the congregation can come in on the refrain “The Lord Almighty is with us, our refuge, evermore.”

Featured instruments: guitar, C instrument. Piano accompaniment available in full score, and C instrument scores can be ordered through GIA.

 

How Long (Psalm 13/The Lament of the Three Marys) 

 

 

full album

Key text: How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? 

How to use: This can be used as special music (soloist and choir) or as a congregational hymn (soloist and congregation).

Featured instruments: cello, fiddle/viola or keyboard drone, or light guitar strumming. Since this song is from our newest album, full scores aren’t yet available.

By the Waters (Psalm 137/The Emigrant’s Farewell)

 

full album

Key text: Don’t forget, Lord, how I grieve, how my heart has wounds that have not been healed

How to use: This song could be done by a soloist or with a small group sing on the refrain.

Featured instruments: harp, cello. Since this song is from our newest album, full scores aren’t yet available.

 

I Am Weary (Psalm 102/Táim Cortha ó Bheith im’Aonar i Mo Luí)

 

 

full album

Key text: I am weary from being alone, alone, I am weary from being alone

How to use: A haunting special music solo, capturing the weariness of loneliness of physical, emotional or spiritual weariness. This psalm tells the story of one who is ill at midlife, but it also expresses the loneliness of many life journeys.

Featured instruments: guitar, harp, flute/whistle, pipes. Since this song is from our newest album, full scores aren’t yet available.

Save Me, O God (Psalm 69/The Streets of Derry)

 

 

full album

Key text: Save me O God, for the water’s rising… Save me, O God, for you are my hope

How to use: A song for a soloist with a small group or choir to offer the refrain “Save me, O God, for your are my hope.”

Featured instruments: guitar, keyboard, pipes. Since this song is from our newest album, full scores aren’t yet available.

Maundy Thursday

Wings of a Dove (Psalm 55/Ned of the Hill)

 

youtube | full album

Key text: O that I had the wings, had the wings of a dove, I would fly far away to the home that I love; I would fly to the place where my heart is at rest, in the shelter far from the tempest and storm

How to use: This is a beautiful anthem, speaking poignantly of human betrayal and the longing for shelter and safety from the evils of this world. If you are planning a folk-oriented Maundy Thursday service, this could contribute to your selection of songs.

Featured instruments: guitar, keyboard, fiddle, flute, harp. Since this song is from our newest album, full scores aren’t yet available.

Good Friday

My God, My God (Psalm 22/Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore)

 

 

lyrics | GIA full score | hymn sheet | youtube | full album

Key text: My God, my God… why have you forsaken me

How to use: This can be sung as a congregational hymn or by a small group. Alternatively, the congregation can join on the last line of each verse, “My God, my God; my God, my God…” See how it’s done in a congregational setting here: https://vimeo.com/204894523 minute 19.35

Featured instruments: guitar, C instrument, cello. Piano accompaniment is available in full score, and cello/C instrument scores can be ordered through GIA.

Easter

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Psalm 147/Mo Ghile Mar)

 

 

lyrics | GIA full score | hymn sheet | youtube link 1 | youtube link 2  | full album

Key text: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise the healer of our souls; earth and moon and stars above sing praise to you, O God of love!

How to use: This is a joyful song that can easily be sung by a congregation if the hymn sheet is available. With printed words only, they can join on a refrain while a choir or small group sings the verses.

Featured instruments: guitar, C instrument. Piano accompaniment available in full score, and C instrument scores can be ordered through GIA.

I Love the Lord (Psalm 116/The Galway Shawl)

 

 

youtube link | full album

Key text: I love the Lord, who showed me mercy, who heard my voice and heard my cry; long as I live, I will call upon you, because you’ve listened and saved my life. 

How to use: This melody is catchy and repetitive enough that it can be picked up easily by a congregation, with words on a screen or printed out. Note – recorded version and youtube versions offer two different interpretations of how to present the song musically.

Featured instruments: guitar, keyboard, pipes. Since this song is from our newest album, full scores aren’t yet available.

You Have Turned My Sorrow (Psalm 30/Green Grows the Laurel)

 

 

lyrics | GIA full score | hymn sheet | youtube link | full album

Key text: You have turned my sorrow to dancing and song, you’ve taken my sackcloth and clothed me with joy; so my soul shall praise you, be silent no more; my Lord and my God, I’ll give thanks evermore!

How to use: With a repetitive and catchy melody line, this song is easy for a congregation to pick up, either in full or just on the refrains. If you happen to have an Irish dancer (or liturgical dancer) in the congregation, that can add an element of joy to the song (see youtube link)! Also see this link on how this can be done with a congregation: https://vimeo.com/204894523 minute 27.19

Featured instruments: guitar, fiddle, harp, cello, flute. Piano accompaniment available in full score, and cello/C instrument scores can be ordered through GIA.

 

Hallelujah (Psalm 146/Here’s a Health to the Company)

 

 

full album

Key text: Hallelujah, I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to God with all of my being 

How to use: This works well as a call and response, with a cantor introducing the first verse, and for each verse after that the congregation singing the first part and the cantor singing the second part. The final verse can be sung by the congregation until the end.

Featured instruments: guitar, keyboard, fiddle, flute. Since this song is from our newest album, full scores aren’t yet available.

We hope this compilation has been useful to you. If you would like to ask us any questions about our music, please feel free to get in touch at info@celticpsalms.com. And, have a blessed Lent and Easter.

 

 

*featured image above from the Vanderbilt Library Lectionary resources