Song Information

Before the Sun Burned Bright

Dan Schutte

This hymn is about the role of God in creation. It is the story of the unending love of God for humanity. The love of God has been here from the beginning and continues to be freely available to all of us.

Dan O’Hara

Dan O’Hara lived with his wife and seven children in a cottage in Connemara Galway. He had 8 acres of land. Most of it was used for growing potatoes. He also kept some animals.

At the time, like most other people Dan did not own his house but rented it from the landlord. When the rent was increased Dan could not pay it so he was evicted in 1845.  Having decided to emigrate to America he arrived in New York a broken man.

From a relatively contented life in Ireland he ended up selling matches on the streets of New York.

Glencoe

The song was written in 1963 by Jim McLean

The Massacre of Glencoe took place in Glencoe in the Highlands of Scotland on 13 February 1692. An estimated thirty-eight  members and associates of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed by government forces billeted on the grounds they had not been prompt in pledging allegiance to the new monarchs, William III of England.

The troops arrived in Glencoe at the beginning of February asking to be quartered there in the homes of the people as was the custom in those days. Suspecting nothing, the MacDonalds welcomed them agreeably and generously, for Highland hospitality was inviolable for guests no matter what bitterness might exist between them and their hosts.

The troops enjoyed the hospitality for nearly two weeks. Then before dawn on Feb. 13 the troops struck their sleeping hosts.

Guardian Angel from Heaven so Bright

This song was composed by a nun from the sisters of Notre Dame.

An angel is generally a supernatural being found in various religions and mythologies.  Angels are often depicted as benevolent celestial beings who act as intermediaries between God or Heaven and Humanity.

A guardian angel is an angel that is assigned to protect and guide a particular person, group, kingdom, or country. ... Belief in both the East and the West is that guardian angels serve to protect whichever person God assigns them to, and present prayer to God on that person's behalf.

This hymn invokes the help of our guardian angel to help and protect us.

Halley Came to Jackson

Written by Mary Chappin Carpenter it tells the story of Halley’s comet coming to Jackson, USA, in 1910.  It is a "periodic" comet and returns to Earth's vicinity about every 75 years, making it possible for a human to see it twice in his or her lifetime. The last time it was here was in 1986, and it is projected to return in 2061.

Here I am to Worship

The lyrics are about Christ's humility and how He came to earth as a man, and sacrificed Himself on the cross all because of His love for humanity.

Is Your Mother in Molly Malone?

Young Michael is working very hard to let Molly Malone know that he’s extremely fond of her.

Molly is very reluctant to let Michael into her house. Michael eventually helps her to change her mind.

This song was first sung by Walter Munro in 1893.

Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears

Composed by Brendan Graham

This 2001 song "Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears,” relates the story of fifteen-year old Annie Moore, the first immigrant to step ashore on New York's Ellis Island.

It is the story of famine times, the long boat journey to America and the hardship endured by Irish people in the mid 1800s. Many had a vision of a better life in America and yet there was always the sadness of the life left behind in Ireland.

Let The Mystery Be

In this song by Iris De Ment she talks about where we may or may not be going after death. She is thinking that nobody really knows and decides to "let the mystery be."  She believes in the power of love.

Puff the Magic Dragon

"Puff, the Magic Dragon" (or "Puff") is a song written by Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow, and made popular by Yarrow's group Peter, Paul and Mary in a 1963.

It could be about leaving childhood behind.

According to the song's lyricist Lenny Lipton, the idea was inspired by Ogden Nash's children's poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon."

Schooldays Over

This song has been written by Ewen MacColl and tells the story of young boys going down the mines in England, Scotland and Wales. For John, Jim and Dai schooldays over is the beginning of hard work, in awful conditions for very poor pay.

The Little Shirt me Mammy Made for Me

This lighthearted song was written by Harry Wincott who was born in 1867.

Back in those times the teacher was allowed to slap children at school and “ beat them with a stick”. Little Sam had an eventful youth and was very grateful for the little shirt made for him by his mother.

The Spinning Wheel

"The Spinning Wheel" was written in the mid-1800s by an Irish lawyer and poet named John Francis Waller.

It is the story of a young woman working on the spinning wheel as her blind grandmother sits by the fireside.

The young woman’s lover is wanting her to come out to him but she is torn between looking after her grandmother or going out the window to him.

Did temptation get the better of her?

Whatever you Say, Say Nothing

This is a lighthearted song by Colum Sands and it advises us ”to say nothing”

 You know the saying that sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.
— ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Who Put The Colours In The Rainbow?

This worship song was written by Paul Booth (1931-1995)

It relates to God being the source of all creation.

Count on Me

Count on me was composed by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine. It details the importance of friendship and loyalty.