The Music Planner
Below are few ideas for music for forthcoming Sundays and Solemnities.
This page is in development so do feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions via the contact form.
Paschal Triduum 2026
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Items from Laudate refer to the revised 2010 edition. However, many of these are also in the original 2001 book. The main changes are to texts from the Roman Missal: Behold the Wood of the Cross, The Reproaches, Exsultet, Litany of the Saints and Springs of Water.
The revised edition of Laudate is available from Norwich Books. They can be contacted at orders@norwichbooksandmusic.co.uk or phone your order on 01603 785918 (8.30am to 4.30pm).
Some of the links below lead to the GIA website. Once in there, press the "Preview" button to see and hear the music
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02 April: Maundy Thursday | Do this in memory of me
This evening's Mass differs from the norm in two places: The Washing of Feet and The Transfer of the Eucharist.
Gathering
An upper room did our Lord prepare
Forth from on high the Father sends
Love is his word
Praise to the holiest in the height
The glory of the Cross we sing – Ainslie
The heavenly word proceeding forth
We should glory in the Cross
When I survey the woundrous cross
Responsorial Psalm
Settings of Psalm 116 from MusicforLiturgy.online
See also, The Revised Responsorial Psalter (McCrimmons)
Songs for The Washing of Feet (Mandatum)
Some of these may be useful in other parts of the liturgy.
As I have done for you – Schutte
Faith, hope and love – Dean (also in Resurrexit)
If there is this love – Barry
Jesu, Jesu, fill us with you love
My new commandment – Feeley (or as a Communion Song)
This is my will, my one command
Songs for the Offertory Procession
A new commandment
Into one we all are gathered
Ubi Caritas et amor – Gelineau (Resurrexit)
Ubi Caritas et amor – Taizé
Ubi Caritas est vera – Hurd
Where is love and loving kindness – Rees
Where is love and loving kindness God is fain to dwell
Where true love is dwelling – tr James Quinn
Where true charity is dwelling – Jones (Resurrexit)
Songs for the Communion Procession
Blessing Cup – Baty
Come Christ's beloved – Walsh
Eat this bread – Taizé
How can I repay the Lord – Dean
O how blest – Schiavone (Resurrexit)
One bread, one body
Taste and See – Baty
Taste and See – Dean
This is the body of Christ – Bell (also in Resurrexit)
Transfer of the Eucharist
Hail our Saviour's glorious body
Of the glorious body telling
Pange Lingua gloriosi
Watching
Lay down your head, Lord Jesus Christ – Bell (also in Resurrexit)
Stay with me – Taizé (repeated and fading to create a real silence as the Watching begins)
Other Hymns and Songs
For God so loved the world – Foster (also in Resurrexit)
Into one we all are gathered
O thou who at thy Eucharist did pray
This is my body, broken for you
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03 April: Good Friday | Father, into your hands I commend my spirit
Today's liturgy begins in silence which really makes the first musical item (the psalm) stand out.
Responsorial Psalm
Settings of Psalm 31 from MusicforLiturgy.online
See also, The Revised Responsorial Psalter (McCrimmons)
Procession of the Cross
We should use the text as given in the Missal: Behold the Wood of the Cross…
Behold the Wood of the Cross – Baty
Behold the Wood of the Cross – Dean (Resurrexit)
Other settings include:
Behold the Wood of the Cross – Alstott (Has verses between the chant)
Behold the Wood of the Cross – Dan Schutte
Veneration of the Cross
Adoramus te Christe – Haugen(also in Resurrexit)
Answer me – Quigley (Resurrexit)
Crucem Tuam – Taizé
O my people what have done to you – Lundy (Walker SATB arrangement in Resurrexit)
O my people, what have done to you – Jakob (Resurrexit)
Processional Song of the Cross – Inwood (Resurrexit and other collections)
Sing, my tongue the song of triumph (Crux Fidelis)
The Reproaches – Baty
The Reproaches – Jakob (Resurrexit)
The Reproaches – Jones (Resurrexit)
Tree of life/Adoramus Te – Haugen (also in Resurrexit)
We adore your cross, O Lord – Dean (Laudate)
We adore your cross, O Lord – Jones (Laudate)
We adore your cross, O Saviour – Walker (Laudate)
When I survey the wondrous Cross
Communion and/or Post Communion
Jesus, Remember Me – Taizé
Meditation on the Passion – Baty
My song is love unknown
O sacred head ill-uséd
Praise to the Holiest in the height
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04 April: Easter Vigil | Jesus is risen
Today’s liturgy begins with the lighting of the Pascal Candle outside the church
Procession of the Candle
Lumen Christi/The Light of Christ Light – Missal Tone (stark simplicity)
Avoid settings which include "Alleluia". The first of these is yet to come!
The Exsultet
The Easter Proclamation – Foster (also in Resurrexit)
The Easter Proclamation – Jones (Resurrexit)
The Exsultet – Plainsong (Free download)
Simple Exsultet – Ed Inwood and Christmas (Free download)
See also the settings in Resurrexit (Decani Music)
The Psalms
Psalms from MusicforLiturgy.online
See also, The Revised Responsorial Psalter (McCrimmons)
Baptismal Liturgy
Litany of the Saints – Plainsong
Litany of the Saints – Dean (Laudate)
Litany of the Saints – Steel (Laudate)
Sprinkling after renewal of Baptismal Promises
I have been crucified – Walker (Resurrexit)
O praise ye the Lord
Risen from death with Christ – Inwood (Resurrexit)
Springs of Water – Hauge (Resurrexit)
The light of Christ
There is one Lord – Dean (Resurrexit)
River of Glory – Dan Schutte
Water of life – Dean
You have put on Christ – Dean
The Eucharist
From here, the Mass continues as usual. For the Offertory and Communion processions, see the Easter section of your hymnbook. And today, of all days, is a good time to end the liturgy in song!
One or two particular items worth considering:
Christ be our light – Farrell (Easter version in Resurrexit)
This is the day – Barry
This is the day – Baty
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Eastertide
There is an endless selection of hymns for the Sundays of Easter so do check the Easter sections of your hymnbook. Those listed below may be less well-known. But any hymn or song proclaiming He is risen, This is the day or Alleluia can be sung throughout the season.
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05 April: Easter Sunday | He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
For the Sprinkling with water, you may consider any of the songs listed above under Sprinkling after renewal of Baptismal Promises
Settings of Psalm 118 from MusicforLiturgy.online
Hymns and songs
An Easter Carol – Feeley
Bring, all ye dear-bought nations (Sequence)
Christ is alive, with joy we sing
Christ the Lord is risen today (Sequence)
Our hearts burn within us – Feeley
Out of darkness – Walker
Surrexit Christus – Taizé
This is the day – Barry
This is the day – Baty
This day was made by the Lord – Dean (Resurrexit)
This day was made by the Lord – Walker
This joyful Eastertide
We shall see Jesus – Baty (Communion Song)
Word that formed creation – Haugen (also in Resurrexit)
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