Songs of sadness & sustaining

These past days, as folk here in Australia have reflected on appropriate worship resources to use this weekend – in helping God’s people deal with the horror, grief, sorrow, anger, sadness and bewilderment of the Victorian bushfire tragedy (and not forgetting 62% of my state Queensland in flood) – here are many of the songs that have been suggested and some of my own thrown in. This is far from an exhaustive list. For a longer selection, go here. Special thanks to Natalie Sims – Uniting Church, Victoria

God, we’ve known such grief and anger - Carolyn Winfrey Gillette lyrics

Babylon (by the waters, the waters, the waters of Babylon ..) traditional – the one popularized by Don McLean back in the ’70s

We cannot measure how you heal - John Bell/Graham Maule (Iona Community: When Grief is Raw, also Church Hymnary, Common Ground)

Nothing is lost on the breath of God - Colin Gibson. Words and music are here. Sound sample here.

Touch the earth lightly, God weeps - Shirley Erena Murray (various)

Don’t be afraid (my love is stronger than your fear) – John Bell (Iona Community, All Together Whatever 496)

O God of mighty wind and flame - Carolyn Winfrey Gillette lyrics etc

O Christ you wept when grief was raw. – John Bell/Graham Maule (Iona: Love from Below, Church Hymnary 734)

When pain and terror strike by chance - Brian Wren (Together in Song 262, various)

How long? – short lament response by me. Link here to download page (scroll down to Holy Communion settings)

Lord have mercy - short sung response by me. Link here to download page

For you, deep stillness - Julie Perrin/Robin Mann (All Together Whatever 494, various) Beautiful, gentle imagery – appropriate for a blessing song

For more bushfire info/pictures/video – go to this link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/bushfires It’s worth checking out. The ABC is our equivalent (sort of) of your PBS.

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