There are many opportunities to use music to enhance the Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion service. While some communities may choose minimal music or much lighter instrumentation in their songs for Good Friday, others use full instrumentation but with a reflective approach to the music choices and arrangements.
Whatever your approach to music in your community, this list of ensemble songs for Good Friday may provide some inspiration for new music selections this year or in future years. Compiled by members of the CLEF board, the list includes some well-known songs and some that may be less commonly known.
Were You There (traditional spiritual) is a well-known song for Good Friday that contemplates the journey of Christ to his crucifixion.
Another traditional song, O Sacred Head Surrounded can be used by ensembles with a range of instruments as well as more traditional choirs with organ or piano.
Jesus The Lord (Roc O’Connor, OCP) is a wonderful contemplative piece that calls all creation to “bend the knee to the Lord.”
I Saw Water Flowing (Bob Hurd, OCP) has a strong social justice theme tied to Jesus’ sacrifice and the love and welcome that we must show to one another.
A song that works well for veneration of the cross is Behold the Wood (Dan Schutte, OCP) as we are asked to behold the wood and reflect Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross.
The lyrics of Tree of Life (Marty Haugen, GIA) bridge from Good Friday to Easter as the song’s message draws us closer to Christ and closer to one another. It’s a good option to incorporate obbligato instruments, if available in your ensemble.
Only This I Want (Dan Schutte, OCP) with its short and simple refrain calling us “to bear his cross so to wear the crown he wore” is a great option for Good Friday and funerals as well.
Another frequently used song for Good Friday, Lent, or Taizé prayer is Jesus, Remember Me (Jacques Berthier, OCP). The simple repeated refrain can be arranged with different voices or instrumentation or be sung acapella by an ensemble and assembly.
What Wondrous Love is This (William Walker’s The Southern Harmony) can be arranged in many ways for ensembles on Good Friday. With powerful lyrics and a beautiful melody, it’s also well known in many communities.
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