GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Songs Week of 6 May 2008
from JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Who are you? What have you sacrificed?Jesus Christ Superstar, Do you think you're what they say you are?
I don't know how to love him, what to do, how to move him. I can change.
I only want to say, If there is a way, Take this cup away from me
For I don't want to taste its poison. Feel it burn me, I have changed.
I'm not as sure, as when we started. Then, I was inspired. Now, I'm sad and tired.
When you there when they crucified my Lord (x), oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble? Were you there when they crucified my Lord.
IN THE UPPER ROOMFor I don't want to taste its poison. Feel it burn me, I have changed.
I'm not as sure, as when we started. Then, I was inspired. Now, I'm sad and tired.
WERE YOU THERE?
A spiritual about the Passion of Jesus:
Were you there when they pierced him in the side? (x) Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble. Were you there when they pierced him the side?A spiritual about the Passion of Jesus:
When you there when they crucified my Lord (x), oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble? Were you there when they crucified my Lord.
GETHSEMANE
A Country and Western song on the same theme:
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus suffered there. The sweat became his blood they say, he spent the night in prayer. They whipped him up the mountain, made him carry his cross, he died to save the sinning man he died to save the lost. Who shall wear his garment divided in four parts, who shall wear the Savior's robe, we shall all cast lots. A Country and Western song on the same theme:
In the upper room with Jesus, sitting right near his blessed feet. Daily there my sins confessing Begging for his mercy sweet.
HE'LL UNDERSTAND AND SAY WELL DONE
From the Parable of the Talents ("Well done, good and faithful servant"; Matthew: 25:23), which, like many of Jesus' parables, have an eschatological point: the end is coming and each person will receive reward or punishment:
If, if when you give the best of your self, tell tender words that the Savior has come, be not dismayed, if men won't believe, he'll understand, I believe he'll say, "Well, well done."SLEEPERS AWAKE
This is one of Bach's most famous melodies. The chorale tune (hymn) is not by Bach but by Hans Sachs. But it's Bach's sprightly countermelody that everyone remembers. The text is based on the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1ff., only five of whom prepared. Here's Bach's setting:Awake Jerusalem awake! Midnight's passed, the hour is nearing, when in the East the dawn is nearing, a new and brigther dawn we'll face.
STANDING IN THE NEED OF PRAYER
Jesus prayed often, though his final prayer (in Gethsemane) was unanswered. As a model, Jesus makes it clear that all are in need of prayer. For other references, see Matthew 21:22 and 26:41: "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." But this song also refers to Jesus' warning against self-righteousness; in other words, "me," not "not my sister, not my brother,"is the person in need of prayer: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3It's me, it's me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. (2) Not my father, not my mother, but it's me oh Lord standing in the need of prayer; not my sister not my brother but it's me oh Lord standing in the need of prayer. It's me, it's me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. (x)
SINNER, PLEASE DON'T LET THIS HARVEST PASS
"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.'"
MATTHEW 9:37
Sinner don't let this harvest pass (x) and die and lose your soul at last. "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.'"
MATTHEW 9:37
HARD TRIALS
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Matthew 8:20
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me" Matthew 24:9
Been listening all the night long, been listening all the day (x), for to hear some sinner pray. Now ain't them hard trials, great tribulation, ain't them hard trials, I'm bound to leave this land. Oh, the foxes they have holes in the ground and the birds have nests in the air and everything has a hiding place, but us poor sinners ain't got nowhere. Now ain't those hard trials, great tribulation, ain't them hard trials, I'm bound to leave this land.Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Matthew 8:20
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me" Matthew 24:9
KOINONIA
"Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39; Leviticus 19:18
How can I say that I love the Lord whom I never ever seen before, and forget to say that I love the one whom I walk beside each and every day? How can I look upon your face and ignore the one whom I must embrace? You're my brother, you're my sister and I love you with the love of the Lord, the love of the Lord. "Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39; Leviticus 19:18
MORE LOVE
If ye love not each other in daily communion, how can ye love God, whom ye have not seen? More love, more love, the heavens are blessing, the angels are calling, O Zion, more love.DO UNTO OTHERS
Matthew 7:12
Well you must do unto others as you would have them do to you. You just got to do unto others, we're all sisters and brothers, you must do unto others as you'd have them to do to you. (x). a MAN CAN GO to knowledge and still be a worthless fool what good is a head full of knowledge if you don't know the Golden Rule? Hallelujah! Somebody's wagon got stuck in the mud, don't push it in the pond, for some day your wagon will get stuck you'll be on the Judgment Morn. You've just got to do unto others, we're all sisters and brothers, you must do unto others as you'd have them to do to you. (x). Well climbing the ladder to success don't stomp people on the ground for some day your luck may turn, you'll meet the same folks coming down. Hallelujah! If someone tells you gossip keep it locked up on the shelf cause you can't sling mud at people and expect to keep clean yourself! You've just got to do unto others, we're all sisters and brothers, you must do unto others as you'd have them to do to you (x).Matthew 7:12
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR
In the 1930s, Bing Crosby recorded a popular song version of these ideas, with a comic twist at the end.{verse} Never treat others with scorn, we're only here cause we're born, although you're way up you may not stay up, stop tooting your horn. Why boast of the wealth you possess, high on the hill of success, on friendship you never should frown, you'll need the same friends on the weary way down. {chorus} So love thy neighbor, walk up and say, "How be you? Gee but I'm glad to see you, pal. How's life? What's new?" Love thy neighbor, offer to share his burden, ask him to say the word and you will see him through. Especially if there should be a beautiful girl next door, say to that girl next door, "Now don't think I'm bold, but my mother told me to love thy neighbor and you will find your labor a great deal easier, life would be breezier if you love thy neighbor."
GO PREACH MY GOSPEL
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. . . ." MATTHEW 28:19
(known as "The Great Commision")
Go preach my Gospel said the Lord, bid the whole earth my grace receive, he shall be saved that trusts my word, and be condemned who will not believe. I'll make your Great Commission known, and ye shall prove my God spoke true, by all the works that I have done by all the wonders ye shall do."Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. . . ." MATTHEW 28:19
(known as "The Great Commision")
GIVE ME JESUS
"For what shall it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul?" MATTHEW 16:26
Oh, I heard my mother say (x) give me Jesus. Give me Jesus (x) You may have all this world, give me Jesus."For what shall it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul?" MATTHEW 16:26
AIN'T THAT GOOD NEWS
Gospel means "good news." Mark may have coined the word, since there is no record of this word before Mark's Gospel: "The beginning of the Gospel about Jesus" (MARK 1:1).
"[A]nyone who does not pick up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." MATTHEW 10:38
I got news (x), I got a crown up in that kingdom ain't that good news (x), I'm gonna lay down this world, going to shoulder up my cross, going to take it home to Jesus, ain't tht good news?Gospel means "good news." Mark may have coined the word, since there is no record of this word before Mark's Gospel: "The beginning of the Gospel about Jesus" (MARK 1:1).
"[A]nyone who does not pick up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." MATTHEW 10:38
RIDE THE CHARIOT
Images of Elijah fused with those of Jesus, typical of African American spirituals. But this is also common in the Gospels, which borrowed ideas in the Hebrew Scriptures and used them for Jesus, especially prominent in the Gospel of Matthew.
I'm going to ride the chariot in the morning Lord (x), I'm getting ready for the Judgment Day, my Lord, my Lord. (x) Are you ready my brother? Are you ready for the journey, do you want to Jesus (oh yes), I'm waiting for the chariot cause I'd ready to go. Images of Elijah fused with those of Jesus, typical of African American spirituals. But this is also common in the Gospels, which borrowed ideas in the Hebrew Scriptures and used them for Jesus, especially prominent in the Gospel of Matthew.
LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. Matthew 26:26-27
Let us break bread together on our knees (x), when I fall on my knee with my face to the rising sun, oh, Lord have mercy on me. Let us drink wine together on our knees (x), when I fall on my knees with my face to the rising, Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. Matthew 26:26-27
HE NEVER SAID A MUMBLING WORD
The Afro-American spirituals often had their own point of view about Jesus. Jesus' Seven Last Words on the Cross are well known, but in this spiritual Jesus is silent.
They nailed him to a tree and he never said a mumbling word (x), oh, not a word, not a word, not a word. The Afro-American spirituals often had their own point of view about Jesus. Jesus' Seven Last Words on the Cross are well known, but in this spiritual Jesus is silent.
HALLELUJAH, WE SING YOUR PRAISES
Matthew 26:26-27
Hallelujah, we sing your praises all our hearts are filled with gladness (x). As the Lord to us said, I am wine I am bread (x), give to all who thirst and hunger. Now he says, strong in faith, free art thou (x) to proclaim the joyful Gospel. Hallelujah, we sing your praises all our hearts are filled with gladness (x). Matthew 26:26-27
AIN'T NO GRAVE CAN HOLD MY BODY DOWN
The preaching about the Resurrection was probably the core of the Gospel message and other stories were added to this first preaching ("kerygma") as the tradition continued. Note that women saw Jesus first. This is one of the arguments for granting "historicity" (historical truth) to the Gospel story. Because if the story were false, the Gospel writers would not have credited women with being the first witnesses of Jesus! In fact, the role of women as witnesses is later marginalized by St. Paul, who gives priority to Peter and the other apostles! Scholars argue, if this part of the story was fiction, why make up a story that would discredit the male leaders of the group (the apostles), especially in such a patriarchal society in which Jesus lived?
It was early one morning just about the break of day, angels came from glory, rolled the stone away. When the women came along, child, and found that their savior was gLone, can't no grave hold my body down. Can't no grave hold my body down (x), when that first trumpet, yes I'm going to get up out of the ground, can't no grave hold my body down.The preaching about the Resurrection was probably the core of the Gospel message and other stories were added to this first preaching ("kerygma") as the tradition continued. Note that women saw Jesus first. This is one of the arguments for granting "historicity" (historical truth) to the Gospel story. Because if the story were false, the Gospel writers would not have credited women with being the first witnesses of Jesus! In fact, the role of women as witnesses is later marginalized by St. Paul, who gives priority to Peter and the other apostles! Scholars argue, if this part of the story was fiction, why make up a story that would discredit the male leaders of the group (the apostles), especially in such a patriarchal society in which Jesus lived?
COME HERE JESUS IF YOU PLEASE
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20
These two songs, like the verse from Matthew (18:20) suggests that a church is a community or person in prayer.
No harm have I done here on my knees (x), when you see me on my knees, please Lord, come here, Jesus, if you please.For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20
These two songs, like the verse from Matthew (18:20) suggests that a church is a community or person in prayer.
Also known as Kumbyah, apparently Creole dialect for "come by here," this is one of the most famous sing-along Gospel songs.
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