Tag: Remembrance

Hymns, Songs, Readings and other links for Remembrance Day –

Sunday 8^th Nov 2020

Bible Readings:

Key Bible Reading:

Isaiah 40:28-31: “They will soar on wings like eagles” – If you would like to look up the reading for yourself – simply click the link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+40%3A28-31&version=NIVUK

Set Readings for today (Remembrance Sunday – 3^rd before Advent):

Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 – The author speaks about the value and availability of Wisdom but one must look to her and seek her.  In the Old Testament is personified in other books such as the Book of Proverbs. In Christian understanding Jesus becomes the face of Wisdom, taking her qualities into himself.  Therefore as we read this passage one could say the same of Jesus as of Wisdom, He is making Himself available, to seek Him is to find not only perfect understanding but love itself.   

1Thessalonians 4:13-end – There is a lot that could be said about this passage.  At one level it can seem somewhat strange to us, what with images of being “caught up in the air.”  It starts off with the great hope – that because God raised Jesus from the dead, then God will raise all the dead including our loved ones.  But this is where the confusion perhaps kicks in.  Paul is not talking about life after death here, in a place we call “heaven.”  As Tom Wright, the New Testament historian and author has stipulated, Paul, and indeed much of the New Testament, talks mainly about “what happens after, what happens to us when we die.”  In other words, to the Bible the emphasis is on a time “after heaven,” what we would perhaps otherwise call “the Second Coming” as detailed in the Book of Revelation Ch 22.  In this understanding, as here in Paul, we die, we go to be with God and Jesus in heaven.  But then will come a day when heaven will come to earth and all things will be made new in Christ, beginning with raising those who are physically dead in Christ to be reborn in Christ on earth, wedding their spiritual bodies in heaven with new ‘resurrected’ physical bodies to live for ever.  And this also includes those, says Paul, who are alive when this time comes – hence the reference to being caught up, and ‘transformed’/resurrected themselves in the air.  This may all sound hugely confusing, but it is what the Bible consistently claims.  What will it look like? How will it work out?  The Bible doesn’t give us a blueprint but its key and important point is that “Love wins,” not just in heaven, “but on earth.”  And everything that points to that is part of what Jesus calls “the Kingdom.”     

Matthew 25:1-13 – Matthew continues the talk about the “Kingdom of heaven.”  Not so much, about what happens when you die, but more about all those moments we all experience each and everyday when we can see the opportunity to love, to forgive, to be kind and we either see them and take them, or we can miss them and complain bitterly that we were away getting oil to get ready to see those moments in the future.  Jesus those who are about love now.  To love, is to love Him.

Hymns and Songs for Remembrance Sunday:

Traditional:

1. “O God our help in ages past” –Songs of Praise version for Remembrance with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjdmLstpNGE

• “God is our strength and refuge” – Virtual All Souls Orchestra and Choir for the 75^th Anniversary of VE Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FpPgQiSNrk

• “Eternal Father, strong to save” – this is the Songs of Praise version.  Sadly there is no YouTube version that I can find that mentions all three services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRAGagtwOss

• “Abide with me” – Military Wives Choir in memory of 100^th Anniversary of Tomb of Unknown Warrior, Westminster Abbey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J-oP1esgt4
• Songs of Parise Version – Male Voice Choir with Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSVSL99cicE

• Anthem “For the Fallen” – extract sung by Westminster Cathedral Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOpnRAOxpLE
• Full  piece to listen to from “war and Peace” – Jesus College Choir, Cambridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pfTOZg7j28

• “O Valiant hearts” – a hymn specific to Remembrance – sung and played here by Gordon Pullin, who used to be organist at Banwell and lead Congresbury Singers, now organist at All Saints, Weston.  Lovely to see his face again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD5VlacTteE

• “Praise my soul the King of heaven” – Songs of Praise version with Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDe0ABw5IHs

• “Guide me O Thou great (Redeemer) Jehovah” (also known as Cwm Rhondda) – lovely version sung by a Welsh Male Voice Choir at the Hospital in Rhondda for “Dementia Week” in 2019.  In my view, how it is meant to be sung, with passion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7iX5WhJadk

• “All people that on earth do dwell” – Songs of Praise version from the 100^th Anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall with combined choirs, which is sort of apt given the message of the hymn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5FfEavPM4

1. “National Anthem” – from St Paul’s Cathedral – Diamond Jubilee Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3dR7u7TPNo

Children and Young People:

1. “What does a poppy mean?” – wonderful video explaining how a young person approaches Remembrance to share with children and adults everywhere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7ESRBMk36E&feature=youtu.be

Modern:

1. “You are my Vision”” by Rend Collective – speaking of a future vision with God at the centre.  Based on the tradition Irish hymn “Be Thou my vision” that has stood the test of time and is as popular today as it has always been (Live Version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQNczm45GyY

1. “The Call” (No need to say Goodbye) – by the Poppy Girls – at the Royal Festival of Remembrance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6vxn1IJ0Uo&feature=youtu.be

Videos:

1. “80^th Anniversary of Battle of Britain” – Flypast of Spitfires and Hurricane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMhiJTob4w8

1. “Pilot reunited with his Spitfire” – story of a great reunion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhxFoH4JQ7w

1. “Story of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior” – helpful to understand its significance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN06NctDdTA