All Shall Be Well
The Hand of God
The Hand of God
The Hand of God
The Hand of God
All Shall Be Well features eight unique, yet cohesive hymns and songs for choirs, assemblies and instrumentalists. Offering a wonderfully comforting yet challenging title track “All Shall Be Well,” Father Roc O’Connor situates listeners immediately, using text from Lady Julian of Norwich on God’s love and presence. This accessible tune creates space, welcoming our responses to God in these troubled times — from peace and trust to fear and struggle.
This collection offers a breadth of beautiful arrangements for SAB and SATB choirs. “My Heart Yearns and Pines,” an adaptation of Estonian musicologist Cyrillus Kreek’s “Ma vaatan üles mäele,” features themes of longing and love for the seasons of Advent and Lent. And “With Open Hands,” based on Psalm 51, proclaims the unwavering and unending kindness of God — perfect for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as well as the seasons of Advent and Lent. Father O’Connor’s “One Day within Your Temple,” inspired by Psalm 84, serves as a song of praise that is both broad and joyful. Appropriate for Easter and Ordinary Time, this tune is well suited for both choirs and assemblies. Lastly, “O Come Within, Beloved of God” provides verses for the Rite of Acceptance, Baptism, and the Rite of Matrimony.
Musicians will delight in learning the wonderfully written parts for keyboard, guitar and solo instrument, along with unison, 2-part, SAB and SATB choir. Whether simply listening and being immersed in the lovely melodies, incorporating songs into personal prayer and reflection, or adding them to your ensemble’s repertoire for use in the liturgy, All Shall Be Well offers something for everyone, without sacrificing musical or theological quality. Father O’Connor writes,
Six of these eight pieces move at an excruciatingly slow tempo. Purposefully so. I arrived at a way of presiding “at a pace we can hear ourselves mean what we say” around the time I also desired to delve into deliberately slow-paced tempos for songs. Breathe and listen. Listen and breathe. These pieces establish conditions for the possibility that we all might enter mindfully into communion with God, ourselves, and others. Music directors, please take note!
Track Listing:
You Are Near, O God | In Your Presence, O God | Oh, Come Within, Beloved of God | One Day within Your Temple | My Heart Yearns and Pines | All Shall Be Well | To Do Your Will | With Open Hands