Let Us Sing
Hymn composed by
Paul WinchesterContextual information
From Paul:
“Let Us Sing” is an anthem of affirmation, love, and community. It was originally written as a collaboration between a congregant and the Music Director at the UU Church of Minnetonka, MN. It has been sung several times within those walls and beyond.
From Christy:
The resounding joy of song in the worship service on Music Sunday of 2023 at my UU church, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka, MN, inspired me to write the lyrics to “Let Us Sing.” Each year on Music Sunday our music director, Paul Winchester, celebrates the incredible musical talent of the members and friends of our congregation by bringing together their voices and instrumental talent in a service devoted to song. Wanting to be part of Music Sunday, but not playing any musical instrument nor blessed with a singing voice, I decided I could join in by lending some words to our celebration of creating music together by literally saying, “Let Us Sing.” Paul put the notes to my words and it came to life as a song.
From Paul:
“Let Us Sing” is an anthem of affirmation, love, and community. It was originally written as a collaboration between a congregant and the Music Director at the UU Church of Minnetonka, MN. It has been sung several times within those walls and beyond.
From Christy:
The resounding joy of song in the worship service on Music Sunday of 2023 at my UU church, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka, MN, inspired me to write the lyrics to “Let Us Sing.” Each year on Music Sunday our music director, Paul Winchester, celebrates the incredible musical talent of the members and friends of our congregation by bringing together their voices and instrumental talent in a service devoted to song. Wanting to be part of Music Sunday, but not playing any musical instrument nor blessed with a singing voice, I decided I could join in by lending some words to our celebration of creating music together by literally saying, “Let Us Sing.” Paul put the notes to my words and it came to life as a song.
Tune Name
[Let Us Sing]
Tune Name
Text Meter
Irregular
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Paul WinchesterHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
Paul Winchester(he/him) is an award-winning composer, performer, educator, and music director in Duluth, MN. Praised for “beautiful harmonic and melodic language,” Paul's work has been commissioned and performed by the The Singers: Minnesota Choral Artists, The Society for New Music, the Ohio Shakespeare Festival, the Wooster Symphony, and numerous church and school choirs. Paul has served as the Music Director for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka since 2014.
Lyricist Background information
Christy Dachelet (she/her) is a longtime Unitarian Universalist who values the role of music in the worship experience. She has no academic credential or work history in the field of music. Her talent lies in the realm of words.
Arranger Background information
Lyrics
Come join me in song, hear the sweet chords resound.
Our voices together be heard all around.
Come join in the song as the blessings abound.
Let us sing, we are blessed, let us sing.
We sing for our children, their futures unseen.
Their bright eyes and laughter, their tears and their dreams.
Take joy in their wonder and questioning minds.
Let us sing, we are blessed, let us sing.
We will sing songs of joy, songs of praise, let the harmonies take flight.
Our hearts fill with delight. Let us sing for our lives. Let us sing!
We sing for our spirits, take flight as we share
the joys and the sorrows, our fears and our dares.
We sing for our friendships, the silver and gold.
Let us sing, we are blessed, let us sing.
We will sing songs of joy, songs of praise, let the harmonies take flight.
Our hearts fill with delight. Let us sing for our lives. Let us sing!
We sing for compassion and justice for all.
With hearts that seek fairness, respond as needs call.
By deeds shall they know us, by songs shall they hear.
Let us sing, we are blessed, let us sing.
We will sing songs of joy, songs of praise, let the harmonies take flight.
Our hearts fill with delight. Let us sing for our lives. Let us sing!
Resources
Music XML and MEI and MIDI and Musescore files