Home Equipping Leaders African American Sources of Service Music for African American Worship

Sources of Service Music for African American Worship

Click here to download this document in pdf format.

Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit: 101 Best-Loved Psalms, Gospel Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the African-American Church. Gwendolin Sims Warren, ed. (NY: Henry Holt and Co., 1997)

Title Use Page
"Ain't Got Time to Die" Spiritual 18
"Ezekiel Saw the Wheel" Spiritual 34
"I Know It Was the Blood" Lent; Spiritual 56
"In Dat Great Gittin' Up Mornin'" Spiritual 63
"Sinner, Please Don't Let Dis Harves' Pass" Women's Choir 76
"Sweet Jesus" Spiritual 86
"Didn't It Rain" (arr. Roberta Martin) 111
"I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy" Traditional Gospel; Prayer 125
"My Soul Loves Jesus" Spiritual; Praise Song 159
"Yes, Lord" praise; adoration 188
"The Center of My Joy" (Smallwood) Praise 284
"God Is" (Fryson) Adoration 299
"O Happy Day" (Hawkins) Contemporary Gospel 311
"Savior More Than Life" (Franklin) Contemporary Gospel 316
"To You Jesus" (Freeman) Traditional Gospel 337
"Why We Sing" (Franklin) Traditional Gospel 347

Be Glad. Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Arranged by Carol Cymbala. Word Music, 2002.

Title Use Page
"Be Glad" Praise; Contemporary Gospel 6
"The Goodness of the Lord" Praise; Contemporary Gospel 27
"He's God" (Hawkins) Traditional Gospel 47
"He Reigns Forever" Praise; Contemporary Gospel 63
"My Life Is in Your Hands" (Franklin) Traditional Gospel 78
"We Bless Your Name" Praise; Traditional Gospel 89
"It Was a Great Thing" Traditional Gospel 102
"This Is How It Feels to Be Free" Contemporary Gospel 122
"God Is Still Doing Great Things" Traditional Gospel 140
"I Can Go to God in Prayer" Traditional Gospel 157
"Go Forth" Traditional Gospel 175

Alpha Mass: A Kingdom Celebration (Op. 30) by Glenn E. Burleigh. Burleigh Inspirations Music, 1989/1990.

Title Use Page
"The Gathering" Gathering 1
"Create in Me a Clean Heart"
(tenor/baritone duet, choir)
Gathering 5
"Kyrie" (solo, choir) Gathering 9
"Gloria"
(Latin, English; choir; "Down at the Cross")
Gathering 13
"Matthew, Mark, Luke and John"
(solo, choir, readers)
Word 24
"Alleluia" (choir) Word 28
"Credo"
(choir, optional congregation)
Word 37
"Sanctus"
(choir, optional congregation)
Eucharist 42
"Memorial Acclamation"
(choir)
Eucharist 46
"Do This in Remembrance of Me"
(choir, congregation)
Eucharist 49
"For the Kingdom"
(Lord's Prayer, choir)
Eucharist 51
"Agnus Dei"
(optional solo, choir)
Eucharist 63
"Joy" (choir) Dismissal 69
"There's a King on the Throne"
(choir, congregation)
Dismissal 73
"Go in Peace" (choir) Dismissal 75

Extended Movement Works by Glenn Burleigh

  • Born to Die (Op. 25)— Christmas cantata
  • A Psalm, A Hymn, and a Spiritual Song
  • The Light

Selected Individual Octavos by Glenn Burleigh

  • "Again I Say Rejoice"
  • "Bless the Lord O My Soul"
  • "Born to Die"
  • "Faithful Over a Few Things" (from Easter cantata, Let God Arise)
  • "I Come"
  • "I'm Gonna Rise" (from Easter cantata, Let God Arise)
  • "Jesus Doeth All Things Well"
  • "Jesus Is the King"
  • "Lay Aside Every Weight"
  • "Nia" (from The Nguzo Saba Suite)
  • "O Magnify"
  • "Order My Steps"
  • "Servant Well Done"


Contemporary Choral Series (2003) by Michael Dryver. St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Omaha, Nebraska. http://standrewsomaha.net; [email protected]

Title Use
"Great Is the Lord" Easter
"'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" Hymn Medley
"Praise the Lord the Almighty" Hymn for Choir, Orchestra
"Holy Spirit"
(Based on "Spirit of the Living God")
Contemporary Gospel
"Almighty Father"
("Lord's Prayer")
Solo; Choir
"Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray!" Spiritual
"One More River"
(based on "Wasn't Dat a Wide Ribbah"
Spiritual
"Praise Ye the Lord!"
(Psalm 113)
SAB Setting
"Shepherd Me Lord"
(Psalm 23)
Children's Choir
"Jesus, Emmanuel!" Contemporary Gospel
"The Advent Carol" SATB a capella; Neo-Baroque Motet
"Celebrate Joy" Youth and Children's Choirs
"Joy to the World" SAB Youth Choir
"I Can Not Tell It All!" Youth and Children's Choirs
"Psalm 100" Choir; Piano

Selected Compositions by Rosephanye Powell

Title Publisher Publication Number
"Ascribe to the Lord" Gentry JG2224
"Come, Let's Celebrate" Hal Leonard 0703284
"Drinkin' of the Wine" Gentry JG2292
"I Wanna Be Ready" Gentry JG2194
"The Word Was God" Gentry JG22196
"Wade in the Water" Gentry JG2241
"Wait on the Lord" Gentry JG2202

Selected Compositions by Patsy Ford Simms

Title Publisher Publication Number
"Born on Christmas Day" Belwin-Mills BSCM00054
"He's Callin' My Name" Alfred 16173
"King Jesus Is A-Listenin'" Alfred 16051
"Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" Alfred 16178
"Now Let Us Sing!" Alfred 18023
"Pray a Li'l More" Belwin-Mills BSCM01028
"Take Me to the River" Shawnee D0600
"Take My Hand" Shawnee D0565
"The Holy One" Alfred 19886

Selected Compositions by Roland Carter

Title Publisher
"Go Tell It on the Mountain" Mar-Vel
"In Bright Mansions Above" Mar-Vel
"I Want to Die Easy" Mar-Vel
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" Mar-Vel
"No Room in the Inn" Mar-Vel
"Rise Shine for the Light Is A'Coming" Mar-Vel
"Two Spirituals in Tribute to Wings Over Jordan"
1. "Yes, Lord
2. "Leaning on the Lord"
Mar-Vel
"You Must Have that True Religion" Mar-Vel

Selected Compositions by Moses Hogan

Title Publisher Publication Number
"Abide with Me" Hal Leonard 08703227
"Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King" Hal Leonard 08742097
"Great Day" Hal Leonard 08741181
"Hear My Prayer" Hal Leonard 08703308
"I Am His Child" Alliance 0110
"I'm Gonna Sing 'til the Spirit Moves In My Heart" Hal Leonard 08740284
"I Want to Thank You, Lord" Hal Leonard 08740200
"Jesus Lay Your Head in the Window" Hal Leonard 08703199
"Like a Mighty Stream" Hal Leonard 08551656
"Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" Hal Leonard 08703140
"No Hidin' Place" Hal Leonard 08703328
"Ride On, King Jesus" Hal Leonard 08703210
"Ride the Chariot" Hal Leonard 08703309
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" Alliance 0192
"This Little Light of Mine" Hal Leonard 08743115

Selected Compositions by André Thomas

Title Publisher Publication Number
"African Noel" Lawson-Gould 52747
"Death is Gonna Lay His Cold Icy Hands on Me" Fostco 2098
"Goin' Up to Glory" Heritage 15/1228H
"Go Where I Send Thee" Fostco 2044
"Heaven" Fostco 2051
"I Open My Mouth" Hinshaw 1168
"Keep Your Lamps" Hinshaw 577
"Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells" Heritage 15/1592H
"When the Trumpet Sounds" Fostco 261

Selected Compositions by Carol Antrom

Title Publisher
"God Is for Me" Marbert Publishing Company
"God's Mercy" Marbert Publishing Company
"Gracious Is the Lord" Robert Antrom Publishing Company
"He'll Meet My Need" Robert Antrom Publishing Company
"He Shepherds Me" Robert Antrom Publishing Company
"I'm Going" Marbert Publishing Company
"Just for a Season" Robert Antrom Publishing Company
"Singing of Jesus" Robert Antrom Publishing Company
"Sovereign" Marbert Publishing Company


GIA African American Church Music Series (Selected Works)

Title Composer Publication Number
"Go, Where I Send Thee" Uzee Brown, Jr. 5777
"Guide My Feet" Avis D. Graves 5952
"I Want Jesus to Walk with Me" Colin Lett 6242
"I Want to See My Jesus Someday" Glenn L. Jones 5805
"If I Faint Not" Kevin & Celeste Johnson 5635
"In the Beginning, God" Frank E. Williams 5849
"Lord, I Want to Live for Thee" Leo H. Davis, Jr. 5806
"It Pays to Serve Jesus" Nathan Carter 5875
"My God Is So High" Courtney Carey 5896
"O, Worship the King" Wendell Craig Woods 5810
"Psalm 1" Nathan Carter 6024
"Psalm 150" Nathan Carter 5591
"Sing to the Lord a New Song" Willis L. Barnett 5809
"The Church's One Foundation" M. Roger Holland II 5628
"The Lord's Prayer" Charles Garner 6026
"We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder" Horace Clarence Boyer 5826
"Worthy Is the Lamb" Lamont Lenox 5807

Selected Spirituals by African-American Composers

Title Composer Publisher & Pub. Number
"Bound for Mt. Zion" Robert L. Morris Hidden Gems
"Don't You Let Nobody Turn You 'Roun'" Phillip McIntyre Fostco, 294
"Glory Hallelujah! Since I Laid My Burdens Down" Wallace Cheatham Mar-Vel
"Guide My Feet" Jacqueline Hairston Gentry, 2287
"He's Got the Whole World" Keith Hampton Augsburg, 11-11099
"Hold Out Your Light" Albert McNeil Gentry, 520
"Home In-A Dat Rock" Marvis Curtis Fostco, 290
"Hush! Somebody's Calling My Name" Jewel T. Thompson MorningStar, 50-8803
"I Get Joy" Cynthia Baldon Voice of One
"I Know I've Been Changed" Damon H. Dandridge Alliance, 0370
"I'll Stand" Raymond Wise Raise, 203-95
"I've Got a Robe" Raymond Wise Raise, 100-87
"I Thank You Jesus" Robert L. Morris Fostco, 2034
"I Want to Be Ready" Betty Jackson King Mar-Vel
"I Will Trust in the Lord" Undine Smith Moore Augsburg Fortress
"Jacob's Ladder" David Morrow Hal Leonard, 08703248
"Lay Your Healing Hands Upon Me" Rollo Dilworth Hal Leonard, 08711370
"Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" Jewel T. Thompson Morningstar, 50-9038
"My Soul Is a Witness for My Lord" Phillip McIntyre Shawnee, 1883
"No Rocks A-Cryin'" Rollo Dilworth Hal Leonard, 08711307
"Oh, the Savior's Comin', Hallelu!" Uzee Brown, Jr. Roger Dean, 10/1683R
"Save Me, Lord" Robert L. Morris Hidden Gems
"There Is a Balm in Gilead" Raymond Wise Raise, 201-96
"This Little Light of Mine" Robert L. Morris Hidden Gems
"True Religion" Eugene Simpson Bourne, 231985-358
"Wake Me Up, Lord" Uzee Brown, Jr. Roger Dean, 10/1262R

Selected Hymn Arrangements and Ethnic Anthems by African American Composers

Title Composer Publisher & Pub. Number
"Abide With Me" Wendell Whalum Lawson-Gould, 52648
"All the Earth Sing Unto the Lord" Lena McLin Kjos, 5459
"Amazing Grace" Diane L. White Santa Barbara, 61
"Beams of Heaven" Tindley/Winder Mar-Vel
"Be Thou Exalted" Diane L. White LCW
"But Lord, I Cannot Speak" Eugene Hancock Mar-Vel
"Canticle: The Hungry Angels" Robert A. Harris Fostco, 191
"Commandment IV" Don Lee White Mar-Vel
"Come, Ye Disconsolate" Keith Hampton DR. K.T.
"Creating God" David Hurd GIA, 2891
"Fanfare of Praise" Doris Wilson Wilson Music
"Father in Heaven" David Hurd Paraclete, 08608
"Give God the Glory" Judith M. Baity Lawson-Gould, 52711
"Great Is the Lord" Henry L. Parker, Jr. Master’s Manuscript
"Hear My Earnest Plea" Julius Dabbs Unpublished
"He Is Risen" Larry Farrow Gentry 2232
"I Am Only One" Adolphius Hailstork Alliance, 0467
"I Thirst for the Living Water" Teri Simmons Simmons Music Source
"Like as a Father" Ulysses Kay Peters, 6222a
"Lord, I Love You, Yes I Do" Raymond Wise Raise, 108-98
"Lore, Make Me More Holy" Lena McLin Kjos, 8848
"Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord" Judith M. Baity Lawson-Gould, 52707
"Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord" Willis L. Barnett Mar-Vel
"O Praise the Lord" Ulysses Kay Peters, 6229a
"Psalm of Celebration" Marvin Curtis Fostco, 2084
"Praise Ye Jehovah" Glenn L. Jones Tehillah
"Remember Now Gethsemane" Lena McLin General Words & Music
"The Lord's Prayer" Raymond Wise Raise, 0151-82
"'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" Zachary W. Lavender Unpublished
Two Introits
1. "The Lord Is in His Holy Temple"
2. "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"
Lena McLin Kjos
"Where Shall I Go But Unto Thee" Oliver H. Owens Mar-Vel

Selected Contemporary and Traditional Gospel by African American Composers

Title Composer Publisher & Pub. Number
"All Is Well" Al Hobbs HOBEAL
"Anticipation" W. Michael McKay Scharff Publishing
"Bless His Holy Name" James Bignon Bignon Publishing
"Covered by the Blood" Diane L. White LCW Publishing
"Glory to His Holy Name" James Bignon Bignon Publishing
"God Is Great" James Bignon Bignon Publishing
"God Will Take You Through" Margaret Douroux Pleasant Publishing
"Holy, Holy, Holy" A. Jeffrey LaValley Hal Leonard, 08551643
"How Excellent Is Thy Name" James Bignon Bignon Publishing
"I Want to Be More Like Jesus" Malcolm Speed Light of the World
"I Will Praise Thy Name Forever" Douglas Leacock Leacock & Tailor
"I Woke Up this Morning" Sylstea Sledge Selmar Publishing
"Jesus, I Love to Praise Your Name" Gregory Allen Tygmar Publishing
"Jesus Purchased My Salvation" Robert Fryson Bob Jay Publishing
"Let the People Praise Thee" Arvis Strickling-Jones Strickling Publishing
"Lord You Have Been My Dwelling Place" Suzanne Williams Joy Songs
"Magnify Him" Timothy Wright Arisav Music
"Praise His Holy Name" Keith Hampton Earthsongs
"Revelations 19:1" Jeffrey LaValley DR. K. T.
"Shout Glory" Byron J. Smith Gentry
"True Light"

Contact Us for Help

View staff by program area to ask for additional assistance.

Related


Subscribe

* indicates required

This is a bi-monthly email where you’ll receive the highest quality resources to support your disciple-making process. Everything from Helpful Articles, New Webinar Series and Podcasts, Discounted Teaching Series, and so much more!

Please confirm that you want to receive email from us.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please read our Privacy Policy page.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.