Listening to samples for these wonderful hymns and inspirational melodies will, I hope, help you plan your farewell or memorial services:
• Abide with Me (Metropolitan Boys Choir)
• A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (The Joslin Grove Choral Society)
• All People That on Earth Do Dwell (Washington National Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, arrangement by R. Vaughan Williams)
• All Things Bright and Beautiful (Cambridge Singers, from the album The Very Best of John Rutter)
• Alleluia, Sing To Jesus (The Joslin Grove Choral Society)
• Amazing Grace (Judy Collins)
• As The Deer Longs (Psalm 42, sung by Gretchen Harris)
• Ave Maria (Celtic Woman). Listen also to Sven Libaek orchestra (from Nadia's theme, free), Celine Dion, and Sarah Brightman, among others.
• Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun (Norwich Cathedral Choir)
• Be Not Afraid
• Be Thou My Vision (Irish: Bí Thusa 'mo Shúile, a traditional hymn from Ireland, performed by Mark Howard, John Mock, Stuart Duncan)
• Because He Lives (Kristin Chenoweth)
• Blessed Assurance (Ricky Skaggs and The Whites)
• By Name I Have Called You (Thirty Three)
• Children of the Heavenly Father (Anne Walsh). Among choral versions, listen to Atlanta Sacred Chorale
• Come Labor On (St. Thomas Choir Of Men And Boys)
• Come Labor On (St. Thomas Choir Of Men And Boys)
• Come, Ye Disconsolate, from the album Saints and Pioneers
• Down By the Riverside (Gospel Music Crew). Listen also to Etta James, from her album I'll Fly Away - Gospel & Inspirational Favorites
• Down in the River To Pray (Alison Krause, from the soundtrack for O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Here are the lyrics (it is apparently “in the river,” not “to the river”).
• Draw Us in Thy Spirit's Tether. You can listen to a sample (not downloadable) on Anthems & Motets (The Choir of St. John's Episcopal Church)
• Eye Has Not Seen (Marty Haugen)
• For All the Saints (R. Vaughan Williams, performed by Choral Evensong Trinity Cathedral)
• Gift of Finest Wheat (Vince Ambrosetti)
• God of Our Fathers (Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
• God So Loved the World (John Stainer, The National Lutheran Choir)
• Going Home (based on Largo from 9th Symphony 'From the New World,' performed by Angel Voices)
• Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Chris Rice, from Peace Like A River: The Hymns Project
• Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (Choir Of Westminster Abbey)
• He Who Would Valiant Be (Choir of Christ’s College)
• Here I Am, Lord (Dan Schutte)
• Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (The Choir of King's College, Cambridge)
• Hosea (Weston Priory, Gregory Norbert)
• I Am the Bread of Life (Suzanne Toolan)
• I Call to Thee Lord Jesus Christ (Bach organ music, played by Virgil Fox)
• I Have Loved You (Michael Joncas)
• I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free (Nina Simone)
• I’ll Fly Away from Here (Mavis Staples, gospel)
• I’ll Walk With God (Mario Lanza)
• If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee (Leander Chapin Clafin)
• In Heavenly Love Abiding (Susan Mack and Ellen Hanna)
• In Paradisum (Fauré Requiem, The Sixteen/Academy of St Martin in the Fields
• In the Garden (Anne Murray)
• It Is Well With My Soul (Bill & Gloria Gaither) B000TEBBDW
• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach Cantata No. 147, performed by Camilli String Quartet). Listen to this beautiful music by various artists.
• Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (Discovery Singers)
• Just a Closer Walk With Thee (Sara Evans, Grand Ole Opry). So many versions, including Tennessee Ernie Ford’s and Patsy Cline’s.
• Laudate Dominum (from Mozart’s from Vesperae solennes de confessore, KV 339, sung by Kiri te Kanawa). Hear it on YouTube
• Let There Be Peace on Earth (Boys Choir of Harlem)
• Lift Every Voice and Sing (Concordia Publishing Company). This version by the Women Of The Calabash is pretty powerful.
• Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Prayer of St. Francis) (Catholic Classics)
• My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (Washington National Cathedral)
• Nearer, My God, to Thee (Titanic Orchestra) and as sung by the Londonderry Choir.
• Now the Day Is Over (The Buffalo Bills)
• O Death (Ralph Stanley, from O Brother, Where Art Thou?)
• O God, Our Help in Ages Past (The Choir of King's College, Cambridge)
• O strength and stay
• Old Rugged Cross (The Joslin Grove Choral Society, from 100 Hymns And Praise Classics
• On Eagle’s Wings (Michael Joncas)
• Once to Every Man and Nation (Scott Krippayne, singing lyrics based on poem by James Russell Lowell)
• One Bread, One Body (John Foley, SJ)
• Panis Angelicus (Jackie Evancho)
• Precious Memories (Emmylou Harris)
• Redeemer (Nicole Mullen)
• Saviour Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise (The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge)
• Shall We Gather at the River (Nashville Gospel Singers)
• Sheep May Safely Graze ((Bach Cantata No. 208, Lumiere String Quartet)
• Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling (Deborah Liv Johnson). Listen also to the Londonderry Choir.
• Song of Farewell (Father David Hemann)
• Supper of the Lord (Michael Vaughan). See also Laurence Rosania’s version on YouTube .
• Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (Etta James’s great version, but there are many rousing versions, including that of Beyonce Knowles
• Taste and See ((James Moore, performed by S. Antonio David's Singers). For another version, try Jenn Johnson (O Taste and See)
• The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended (The Choir of St.Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, from the Famous Hymns of Praise , including Holy, Holy,Holy, Lord God Almighty
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Saint Clement's Choir, from the album Hymns of Heaven and Earth . This title is also associated with a traditional Irish melody, St Columba (The King Of Love My Shepherd Is), played here on bagpipes by Merlin Celtic Orchestra.
• The Lord Is My Shepherd (Cissy Houston with Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir), but there is more than one piece of music for this psalm. See also, for example, versions by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Cambridge Singers )
• The Lord's Prayer (Andrea Bocelli singing). Other vocal versions include the Mormon Tabernacle Choice and Anne Murray. Instrumental versions include piano and organ music (often for Karaoke).
• The Last Mile of the Way (Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers) and in another style, the Nashville Gospel Singers
• Thine Be the Glory (Huddersfield Choral Society & Joseph Cullen)
• Though I May Speak (Koiné -- first line, “Though I may speak with bravest fire”), from a lovely Scottish or English folk song, O Waly Waly (The Water Is Wide), sung here variously by Barbara Dickson and by Bryn Terfel
• To Be a Pilgrim (Dan Carollo, acoustic guitar). Listen also to Martin Simpson’s rendition
• Turn To Me • (by John Foley, from the St. Louis Jesuits (with the original lyrics as shown on YouTube
• We Shall Overcome (Peter, Paul and Mary), but there are oh so many versions, including one by Pete Seeger, from the album If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope and Struggle (songs from which could produce a whole program)
• What Wondrous Love (Annie Moses Band). Listen also to Fernando Ortega
• Will the Circle Be Unbroken (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band). The many versions of this song include those sung by Joan Baez and by The Carter Family. On YouTube, watch June Carter, Johnny Cash, and the Carter Family perform.
• You Are Mine (David Haas)
GO HERE to find All types of music for funerals on one page
Anything you purchase after linking to Amazon.com from this site brings us a small commission, which helps support the cost of maintaining the site.
• Abide with Me (Metropolitan Boys Choir)
• A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (The Joslin Grove Choral Society)
• All People That on Earth Do Dwell (Washington National Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, arrangement by R. Vaughan Williams)
• All Things Bright and Beautiful (Cambridge Singers, from the album The Very Best of John Rutter)
• Alleluia, Sing To Jesus (The Joslin Grove Choral Society)
• Amazing Grace (Judy Collins)
• As The Deer Longs (Psalm 42, sung by Gretchen Harris)
• Ave Maria (Celtic Woman). Listen also to Sven Libaek orchestra (from Nadia's theme, free), Celine Dion, and Sarah Brightman, among others.
• Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun (Norwich Cathedral Choir)
• Be Not Afraid
• Be Thou My Vision (Irish: Bí Thusa 'mo Shúile, a traditional hymn from Ireland, performed by Mark Howard, John Mock, Stuart Duncan)
• Because He Lives (Kristin Chenoweth)
• Blessed Assurance (Ricky Skaggs and The Whites)
• By Name I Have Called You (Thirty Three)
• Children of the Heavenly Father (Anne Walsh). Among choral versions, listen to Atlanta Sacred Chorale
• Come Labor On (St. Thomas Choir Of Men And Boys)
• Come Labor On (St. Thomas Choir Of Men And Boys)
• Come, Ye Disconsolate, from the album Saints and Pioneers
• Down By the Riverside (Gospel Music Crew). Listen also to Etta James, from her album I'll Fly Away - Gospel & Inspirational Favorites
• Down in the River To Pray (Alison Krause, from the soundtrack for O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Here are the lyrics (it is apparently “in the river,” not “to the river”).
• Draw Us in Thy Spirit's Tether. You can listen to a sample (not downloadable) on Anthems & Motets (The Choir of St. John's Episcopal Church)
• Eye Has Not Seen (Marty Haugen)
• For All the Saints (R. Vaughan Williams, performed by Choral Evensong Trinity Cathedral)
• Gift of Finest Wheat (Vince Ambrosetti)
• God of Our Fathers (Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
• God So Loved the World (John Stainer, The National Lutheran Choir)
• Going Home (based on Largo from 9th Symphony 'From the New World,' performed by Angel Voices)
• Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Chris Rice, from Peace Like A River: The Hymns Project
• Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (Choir Of Westminster Abbey)
• He Who Would Valiant Be (Choir of Christ’s College)
• Here I Am, Lord (Dan Schutte)
• Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (The Choir of King's College, Cambridge)
• Hosea (Weston Priory, Gregory Norbert)
• I Am the Bread of Life (Suzanne Toolan)
• I Call to Thee Lord Jesus Christ (Bach organ music, played by Virgil Fox)
• I Have Loved You (Michael Joncas)
• I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free (Nina Simone)
• I’ll Fly Away from Here (Mavis Staples, gospel)
• I’ll Walk With God (Mario Lanza)
• If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee (Leander Chapin Clafin)
• In Heavenly Love Abiding (Susan Mack and Ellen Hanna)
• In Paradisum (Fauré Requiem, The Sixteen/Academy of St Martin in the Fields
• In the Garden (Anne Murray)
• It Is Well With My Soul (Bill & Gloria Gaither) B000TEBBDW
• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach Cantata No. 147, performed by Camilli String Quartet). Listen to this beautiful music by various artists.
• Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (Discovery Singers)
• Just a Closer Walk With Thee (Sara Evans, Grand Ole Opry). So many versions, including Tennessee Ernie Ford’s and Patsy Cline’s.
• Laudate Dominum (from Mozart’s from Vesperae solennes de confessore, KV 339, sung by Kiri te Kanawa). Hear it on YouTube
• Let There Be Peace on Earth (Boys Choir of Harlem)
• Lift Every Voice and Sing (Concordia Publishing Company). This version by the Women Of The Calabash is pretty powerful.
• Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Prayer of St. Francis) (Catholic Classics)
• My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (Washington National Cathedral)
• Nearer, My God, to Thee (Titanic Orchestra) and as sung by the Londonderry Choir.
• Now the Day Is Over (The Buffalo Bills)
• O Death (Ralph Stanley, from O Brother, Where Art Thou?)
• O God, Our Help in Ages Past (The Choir of King's College, Cambridge)
• O strength and stay
• Old Rugged Cross (The Joslin Grove Choral Society, from 100 Hymns And Praise Classics
• On Eagle’s Wings (Michael Joncas)
• Once to Every Man and Nation (Scott Krippayne, singing lyrics based on poem by James Russell Lowell)
• One Bread, One Body (John Foley, SJ)
• Panis Angelicus (Jackie Evancho)
• Precious Memories (Emmylou Harris)
• Redeemer (Nicole Mullen)
• Saviour Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise (The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge)
• Shall We Gather at the River (Nashville Gospel Singers)
• Sheep May Safely Graze ((Bach Cantata No. 208, Lumiere String Quartet)
• Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling (Deborah Liv Johnson). Listen also to the Londonderry Choir.
• Song of Farewell (Father David Hemann)
• Supper of the Lord (Michael Vaughan). See also Laurence Rosania’s version on YouTube .
• Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (Etta James’s great version, but there are many rousing versions, including that of Beyonce Knowles
• Taste and See ((James Moore, performed by S. Antonio David's Singers). For another version, try Jenn Johnson (O Taste and See)
• The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended (The Choir of St.Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, from the Famous Hymns of Praise , including Holy, Holy,Holy, Lord God Almighty
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Saint Clement's Choir, from the album Hymns of Heaven and Earth . This title is also associated with a traditional Irish melody, St Columba (The King Of Love My Shepherd Is), played here on bagpipes by Merlin Celtic Orchestra.
• The Lord Is My Shepherd (Cissy Houston with Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir), but there is more than one piece of music for this psalm. See also, for example, versions by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Cambridge Singers )
• The Lord's Prayer (Andrea Bocelli singing). Other vocal versions include the Mormon Tabernacle Choice and Anne Murray. Instrumental versions include piano and organ music (often for Karaoke).
• The Last Mile of the Way (Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers) and in another style, the Nashville Gospel Singers
• Thine Be the Glory (Huddersfield Choral Society & Joseph Cullen)
• Though I May Speak (Koiné -- first line, “Though I may speak with bravest fire”), from a lovely Scottish or English folk song, O Waly Waly (The Water Is Wide), sung here variously by Barbara Dickson and by Bryn Terfel
• To Be a Pilgrim (Dan Carollo, acoustic guitar). Listen also to Martin Simpson’s rendition
• Turn To Me • (by John Foley, from the St. Louis Jesuits (with the original lyrics as shown on YouTube
• We Shall Overcome (Peter, Paul and Mary), but there are oh so many versions, including one by Pete Seeger, from the album If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope and Struggle (songs from which could produce a whole program)
• What Wondrous Love (Annie Moses Band). Listen also to Fernando Ortega
• Will the Circle Be Unbroken (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band). The many versions of this song include those sung by Joan Baez and by The Carter Family. On YouTube, watch June Carter, Johnny Cash, and the Carter Family perform.
• You Are Mine (David Haas)
GO HERE to find All types of music for funerals on one page
Anything you purchase after linking to Amazon.com from this site brings us a small commission, which helps support the cost of maintaining the site.