Collated by Lucy Graham, Contemporary Music Network Coordinator of the Christian Education & Congregational Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.

This is an energetic whirlwind of a song requiring the full-hearted participation of those who sing it. It invokes the power of the Holy Spirit to energise and empower, and to change the hearts and actions of people until the Kingdom comes. It emphasis is on compassion, active love, a passion for justice and a big-hearted response to need.

Marty Haugen ã 1989 GIA Publications Inc.

Sources: As One Voice II ( Willow Connection)

Don’t be fooled by the lyricism of the tune Sally Gardens. These words are far from ‘sweet’ but sing of life fuelled by gospel values. Although sung gently, there is a quiet determination here. The message is clear - God’s agenda and ‘bias’ is that those without a voice be carried by the people of God, who care more for the plight of those downtrodden, than their own. It is as though the ancient psalmist has been reborn. As we sing, we join the loud and persistent questioning about the state of things.

Words by John L Bell ã 1987, 1997 Wild Goose Resource Group (WGRG)

Source: Love and Anger (WGRG), Together in Song

This song’s fun rock style is appreciated by people of all ages and is easily learnt by those 8 years and older, with younger worshippers content to sing the refrain and dance the rest. Christ’s call to consider life from the perspective of ‘the other’ is the key to determining what Jesus would do. We sing: Took a walk outside of my walking, step’d inside another’s shoes, walked the dusty border between us, paths I’d never chosen to choose. How then shall I live?

Linnea Good ã Borealis Music

Sources: The Good Songbook, Seasons of the Spirit

This song reflects on the biblical God as one who does not change and continues to offer us fresh and certain hope in the midst of injustice. Although it is more traditional musically, it flows quite beautifully, and has a delightful melodic sequence in the refrain. This song is not widely known and is well worth including in every congregation’s repertoire. ‘Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise, God ever faithful you do not change.’

ã Colin Gibson

Source: Songs of a Rainbow People

This song calls to mind the God of the bible as one of justice who offers us gifts of freedom, hope and love. It reminds us to regard the face of those we meet as one as the face of God. Some beautiful imagery is contained within it ‘God is like a sweet summer shower refreshing all the earth, God is like a tender mother giving us our birth.’ Musically it has a great funky section which packs a ‘punch’, and which alternates with a gentler more lyrical one.

Words and Music ã Delia Crabbe, 1998

Source: National Christian Youth Convention Songbook – 1999

Hospitality is political! Welcoming the stranger, and enabling the conversation between people of contrasting fortune is part of the call of the Gospel (remember Bethlehem?). This is a song, which recognises painful, agonising decisions, where comfort and convenience are laid aside for the sake of kingdom values. ‘The love of God comes close where stands an open door, to let the stranger in, to mingle rich and poor: the love of God is here to stay embracing those who walk his way.’

Words and Music ã WGRG 1988, 1997

Source: Love and Anger

The beatitudes are revolutionary! How could they be described as anything else? And they certainly set the record straight when it comes to guidelines for a Christian life. Here is a beautiful, tender, and meditative setting for songleader/cantor with a short refrain in (very easy) four-part harmony for those of the gathered community. The refrain when hummed also provides accompaniment for the verses. An absolute gem!

John L Bell ã 1997 Wild Goose Resource Group

Sources: Love and Anger (Wild Goose Resource Group Publications)

This song is a big reality check (the tune is actually called ‘reality’). It puts faith in the middle of the realities of life and demands a faithful response to all situations. We sing Don’t tell me of a faith that fears to face the world around; don’t dull my mind with fickle thoughts and grace without a ground. I need to know that God is real, I need to know that Christ can feel the need to touch and love and heal the world, including me. The tune is in fact called ‘reality’. Musically it is bold and strong, and whilst it can be accompanied it works well when sung unaccompanied. You could try having soloists sing the verses and the gathered people joining in the refrain for a memorable and thought-provoking sing.

Words and Music ã 1988, 1997 Wild Goose Resource Group, Iona Community

Source: Love and Anger (Wild Goose Publications)

This Nicaraguan song is becoming a firm favourite across Australia and around the globe. Sing it with energy and vigour either a cappella in parts, or using appropriate instrumentation with lots of percussion. Your community cannot help but be inspired to action. We sing our readiness to bring about the kingdom of God, as we are sent into the world:

Sent by the Lord am I

My hands are ready now

To make the earth a place in which the kingdom comes

The angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain into a world of love of justice and of peace

The task is mine to do, to set it really free

O help me to obey, help me to do your will.

This is a song that understands we are God’s hands and eyes and feet in the world, and just gets on with the job!

Words: Traditional Nicaraguan, translated by Jorge Maldonodo.

Music: Traditional

Sources: Sent by the Lord, All Together OK, Together in Song

This song is about the use and abuse of power and is not for the faint-of-heart! It may well be a starting point for small group conversation in your faith community. It is one of those songs one has to sit down and read after it has been sung: ‘We will not take what is not ours nor ravage, exploit or pollute till nature mourns her barren state, and justice limps both blind and mute. We will not take what is not ours!’

John L Bell ã 1989, 1997 Wild Goose Resource Group

Source: Love and Anger

This song is well known, well liked and easily sung by all congregations. It has the added advantage of being accessible to non-readers. It is a prayer, a very up-beat one too, which implores from God the ability to live faithfully. In each verse we ask for another quality. We ask for faith hope and love, for trust in the truth, for freedom for all, and patience within concluding each with a rousing, “Oh teach us how to live….”

Trish Watts ã 1994 Willow Connection Pty Ltd

Source: All Together OK, As One Voice II

Personal accountability for our actions is part of the Christian life. This song affirms that God has a plan and purpose for each person’s life, and encourages confidence in that knowledge. This is of course no more strongly evident that in biblical stories. It strongly affirms the relationship between evangelism, social action and accountability:

‘And to tell the world that God’s kingdom is near

To remove oppression and break down fear.’

It also reminds us of our responsibility to listen to, and project the voice of those with little power:

‘God is calling me to raise up the voice with no power or choice….’

This song also has additional vocal parts if you have a choir that enjoys rhythmic work.

Bernadette Farrell ã Bernadette Farrell (Word of Life distributors)

Source: All Together OK, As One Voice II

This question is reminiscent of lament in Hebrew Scripture. This is a song that should be sung more often than it is. It is a beautiful reflective song with a touch of conviction. The singer is called to a path of love and trust despite the great sorrow in the world around.

How long must we cry out ‘til justice rolls down like a river?

How long will this night last, and when will we all be together?

Teach me to do what is right:

Work in the darkness, trust in the light,

And may love be the path I walk upon.

Used at the National Christian Youth Convention, in January 2003 in Newcastle, this song will appeal across the age-groups.

ã Robin Mann 2001

Source: The Red Album (National Christian Youth Convention 2003)

This song calls to our attention a numerous issues: the poor and broken, people’s oppressed, ones who are voiceless. It prays for truth in places of power, children of violence, women abused, thousands of homeless, plants and creatures, and the weak and the aged. ‘Who will speak if we/you don’t?’ is the memorable refrain, and there is just no getting away from that question! Prayer here is not simply words alone. If we are serious about what we pray for, action must also be our response! There is an optional four-part setting for those with a funky, and rhythmically tight choir!

Marty Haugen

ã 1993 GIA Publications Inc.

Source: As One Voice II (Willow Connections Pty Ltd)