How Can We Sing a Joyful Song?

Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 2011
Music: tune, O WALY WALY, English folk tune, arr. Dean McIntyre

Blue Christmas (also called Longest Night) services are worship services designed especially for those who, for whatever reason, cannot experience or express the customary joy and celebration of the Christmas season but still want to participate in the coming of Jesus. The author writes of this hymn, "Sadly, in the community where my parents live, there was a tragic death that devastated many in the community. My parents' United Methodist church is planning its first Blue Christmas service to help those who are grieving this death and others. I wrote this hymn in the hope that it might be a source of comfort for them and other churches."

How Can We Sing a Joyful Song? (Sibelius format)

How Can We Sing a Joyful Song? (pdf)

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is co-pastor with her husband Bruce of the Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware. Please see her composer biography.

For more on Blue Christmas, also see "Blue Christmas/Longest Night Worship With Those Who Mourn," "Blue Christmas," and "Blue X-mas."