This call and echo song by John Bell is an invocation of Spirit including the Aramaic phrase Maranatha (Our Lord-come!), which appears in early Christian prayers and liturgy. The piece could be effective during Advent or Pentecost, or as an invitation to gathering or prayer.
One key to leading the piece is a gesture that invites the group to sustain the final note of each phrase, while the leader sings the next phrase over it. Some leaders make a circular motion or move their hand outward to invite a continued sound.
"Come, Holy Spirit. (Come, Holy Spirit.)
Come, Holy Spirit. (Come, Holy Spirit.)
*Maranatha! (Maranatha!)
Come, Lord, come! (Come, Lord, come!)"
*Some song leaders in the MMC community substitute 'Come among us" or 'Dwell among us' in place of the Aramaic word.
Copyright for the piece is held by GIA Publications, Inc. so you'll need a OneLicense membership to print the music or text.
Find sheet music for Come, Holy Spirit here.
Here is a video of Scott Weidler teaching the song at a workshop in Baldwinsville, NY:
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