This is a hymn I wrote back in 1986. The music is based on the Jupiter movement from Holst's The Planets and the title is a play on Holst's title, The Bringer of Jollity. From time to time I'm asked for permission to reproduce the song for hymn books and such like, and I've kept meaning to just release the thing under a Creative Commons license, so folk can go ahead as they like. I believe that Holst's original music is now out of copyright, and I'm not sure what copyright status that leaves my variation in. However, to the extent that I am able or need to release my tune, I'm doing that here along with the words. The words are followed by a screenshot of the music for the melody, and suggested chords. Thanks to the unknown typesetting musician, probably in Ann Arbor or Lansing, who produced that score from my handwritten version. Finally, with the final line -- "...saved me from distress" -- finishing on the super-tonic (A in the key of G), the ending never felt right when singing, so if anyone figures out a sensible way to finish and wants to let me know, I can mention it here. Meanwhile, I found a cover on Youtube, that does a pretty good job (relevant part starting around 1:51). Here then, The Bringer of Joy:
The Bringer of Joy by Thomas Kelly is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The Bringer of Joy
As a doe yearns for water, Lord, my soul yearns for you.
As a weary land waits for rain, so I will wait for you.
And I will gladly sing of your love, and proclaim your mighty deed,
for you have saved me from distress.
As a mighty cedar reaches high, so I will reach for you.
As a mountain river seeks the sea, so I will seek for you.
And I will gladly sing of your love, and proclaim your mighty deed,
for you have saved me from distress.
Holy One, mighty God, Word made flesh, Wonder Counselor,
glorious in majesty are you.
You're the Alpha and the Omega, the Great Bright Morning Star.
You're the Lion of Judah, King of Kings, the only Son of God.
And I will gladly sing of your love, and proclaim your mighty deed,
for you have saved me from distress.
The Bringer of Joy by Thomas Kelly is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.