Resources

For an alphabetical list of all songs in the database, click here.

Adding New Listings

If you search for a song title and can't find it in the database, you can add a new song listing using the box below. New song listings will be approved by a moderator in 2-7 business days and then appear live and searchable on the site. In order to make your listing as useful as possible, include as much of the requested information as you can. This database is set up so that others can add to your listings, so if there’s something you aren’t sure about, someone else may add it later. Include links to recordings of the song (video or audio), websites where printed scores of the song can be purchased or shared freely, the website of the composer who wrote it, or to sources of information about the history of the song or contexts where it is sung by others. When adding tags, check the wording and spelling against the filters in the dropdown menu to the right so that your listing will come up when others search for those terms.

We aim to share information as freely as possible while respecting the copyrights of composers and publishers. If the rights to a song is owned by someone else, you can let users know you like the song by creating a listing and adding links to the publisher or composer's websites so others can obtain recordings or printed copies of the song through the channels preferred by the copyright owners.

This is a great place to share new songs you've written! If you'd like help transcribing a song or finding tools to make a video or audio recording to share, email Rachel Kroh at rachel@musicthatmakescommunity.org.

Contributing to Existing Listings
You can also contribute by adding information, sharing tips or suggesting tags for existing song listings.
Adding information: Sharing songs orally means that over time, tunes change, words change, and information about a song's origin can get lost. We hope this database will give us a chance to combine the inspiring innovation and cross-pollination that are hallmarks of the oral tradition with the wonderful capability of the internet to store information contributed by a community of people. If you know a different version of a song, know another recording or written source, or were told a different version of its origin story--contribute it to the listing!
Sharing tips: You can also contribute your experiences of leading the song and make suggestions that might help others. What context did you lead it in? How did it go? Any tips that might help others have success leading the song paperlessly?
Suggesting tags: Finally, you can suggest tags we can add to the listing that will help others find it. Choose tags from the list of filters to the right, or if you don't see the tag you're looking for, go ahead and suggest it. We can easily add more filters to the menu to match your tags.

Using the Database
This database is a tool to help you build a repertoire of paperless song leading. You can use the tabs above to sort the listings by your preferred method for learning music (print, audio or video), or use the filters to the right to sort by category. You can also type keywords like a song title or composer's name into the searchbox in the upper righthand corner of your screen.

Add a Song Listing

If your song has a common title for example: "Alleleuia", considering adding more description to the title for example: "Alleluia from Palestine".

Suggestions for information to include in resources listing:

1. Where did you learn the song?                                                                                                                                   2. Any tips on leading it paperlessly?                                                                                                                            3. General information about the song:                                                                                                              Song form(s) (simple melody - round - layered - echo - call and response):                                                 Composer(s) Name(s):                                                                                                                                                                    Lyricist(s) Name(s):                                                                                                                                                           Year Composed:                                                                                                                                                               Place of Origin:                                                                                                                                                               Biblical Reference:                                                                                                                                               Copyright Holder Name:                                                                                                                                                           Terms of Use:                                                                                                                                                                      Print Source:                                                                                                                                                                Publisher Name:                                                                                                                                                              Public Domain:Yes or No                                                                                                                                                           Year of Publication:                                                                                                                                                           Audio Recording Link:                                                                                                                                                           Video Recording Link:                                                                                                                                                           Suggested Tags:(see our filters to the right under the sections Season - Liturgical Use - Contexts and Gatherings - Language - Musical Tradition - Religious Tradition)

If you wrote this song, or have permission from the person who did, consider uploading the sheet music. (Optional) The requirements for this file are that it be in jpg format, and be 600 pixels wide, but you can put a link to the music in another format in the box above.

While We Are Waiting, Come

Contributed by · October 18, 2018 9:16 PM · 2 contributions

While We Are Waiting, Come is a beautiful melody by Claire Cloninger and Don Cason that can be taught through echo patterns. It makes an effective Prayer Song or response during the Advent season.

"While we are waiting, come.
While we are waiting, come.
Jesus our Lord, Emmanuel,
While we are waiting, come."

Once the assembly has learned the song well, you can add harmony parts or keyboard accompaniment.

2 contributions Share

Come to the Table of Grace

Contributed by · June 17, 2018 10:13 PM · 2 contributions

Come to the Table of Grace is a short song by Barbara Hamm, the Minister of Music at Community Congregational Church UCC in Benicia, CA. It could be offered as an Invitation to the Table or during the distribution of communion elements.

Try lining out the melody one phrase at a time, inviting the community to echo until they're confident. It's also a zipper/pocket song that welcomes the substitution of words for the context/season. We have included a few possibilities below.

"Come to the table of grace.
Come to the table of grace.
This is God's table it's not yours or mine.
Come to the table of grace."

Alternative text:
Come to the table of peace...
Come to the table of joy...
Come to the table of hope...

2 contributions Share

Spirit, Still My Body

Contributed by · November 24, 2017 10:21 PM · 2 contributions

Spirit, Still My Body was written by Charles Murphy, a singer, songwriter, and church musician in the Chicago area. It was shared at our Pentecost weekend in Western Chicago in June 2017.

Enjoy this soulful song and give thanks for Spirit's calming, centering presence in these challenging days.

"Spirit, still my body. Spirit, wake my soul.
I can't tame tomorrow, Now need be my goal.
Spirit, still my body. Spirit, wake my soul.
Steep me in the present, The rest God will control.'

Charles is happy to have you share the song but kindly asks you to reach out and request permission.

2 contributions Share

Santo, Santo, Santo

Contributed by · April 28, 2016 3:18 PM

Santo, Santo, Santo is an Argentine folk song that has become popular in American churches and is included in many different hymnals. It is in the The Faith We Sing (#2007), a supplement to the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal. Here's an audio recording of Santo, Santo, Santo from Hymnary.org.

"Santo, santo, santo.
Mi corazon te adora!
Mi corazon te sabe decir:
Santo eres, Dios!

English singing translation:
"Holy, holy, holy.
My heart, my heart adores you!
My heart knows how to say to you:
You are holy, Lord!"

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Don't Be Afraid

Contributed by · April 13, 2016 1:05 AM · 5 contributions

This gentle, expressive song by John Bell is a powerful invitation into a space of loving trust.

"Don't be afraid, my love is stronger,
My love is stronger than your fear.
Don't be afraid, my love is stronger,
And I have promised to be always near."

Copyright for the piece is held by GIA Publications, Inc. so you'll need a OneLicense membership to print the text or music.

5 contributions Share

There is Some Kiss We Want

Contributed by · April 13, 2016 1:03 AM · 3 contributions

This poignant song based on a line from the Sufi poet Rumi was shared with the MMC community by Ana Hernández. The intuitive melodic shape makes it easy to teach, and groups are quick to sing and harmonize.

Ana suggests using the piece for centering and meditation practice. She also blogged about her experiences using the song in a 12-step community.

It can be sung unaccompanied or with guitar or keyboard.

"There is some kiss we want with our whole lives.
The touch of spirit on the body."

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