Songs for Pentecost
Unbound editor Adam Tice offers some song suggestions for Pentecost Sunday.
Here are a few songs to consider for Pentecost, focusing on the image of the Holy Spirit as Breath.
Breath of God, Holy Breath
Delores Dufner, OSB, wrote “Breath of God, Holy Breath” as a meditation on the Holy Spirit’s delightful unpredictability. Pairing the text with the familiar tune PERSONENT HODIE (“On this Day, Earth Shall Ring,”) Dufner requested that we publish it with Richard Proulx’s dancing accompaniment rather than the more bombastic Gustav Holst version frequently used. The result is a sprightly depiction of the Spirit’s movement.
Breath of Compassion
Another text using a familiar tune is “Breath of Compassion” by Eli Cooper-Nelson. SLANE (“Be Thou My Vision”) is an appropriately comforting vehicle for a text about the ways the Holy Spirit sustains us through suffering and challenge. See also David Bjorlin’s recent post about Cooper-Nelson’s “Be Our Inhale.”
Breath of Christ
Alan Hommerding’s “Breath of Christ” connects to the narrative in John when Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. The tune by Karen Schneider Kirner allows singers to breathe before every instance of the word “breath.” For another text and tune related to this story, see “The Doors Were Locked” by Jacque Jones and Zack Stachowski.
Fill Us With Your Breath
I wrote “Fill Us With Your Breath” for my own seminary graduation. William Rowan’s tune with its unusual (but perfectly proportioned) line lengths provided the framework, and invites lush SATB singing.
For more options, visit GIAmusic.com/unbound and check out the “Pentecost” carousel for sixteen selections!
In addition, here are Unbound pieces filtered for “Pentecost,” “Holy Spirit,” “Acts 2,” and “John 20:19”.