Offering Songs

Songs to sing during or after the offering
As suggested by members of the AUUMN*
*Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries

Important to know:
  • Songs may always be taught and sung orally without obtaining specific permission. Also, it is generally acceptable to project words on a screen from a legally owned copy. However, to print or copy the words and/or music, or to make changes to the words, permission must be sought from the copyright owner unless permission has already been granted.
  • If permission has been given, the song is available by clicking on the title. Otherwise, where available, information on various permissions and/or where to obtain the song is provided.
  • Typically, even if permission to print/copy is granted, it is considered good etiquette to contact the composer and let him/her know when and how their song is being used. And of course, always make sure proper attribution is provided.
Original songs by UU and other musicians, available directly from the composer

Gifts of Life: A Blessing for the Congregation by Andrew C. Backus (words by Bonnie Vegiard).
A short, SAB, a capella arrangement. Could be sung or led by the choir, or everyone could sing the soprano/melody line in unison. Congregations are free to copy and use as desired, but if you use it, please notify Andrew Backus at andrewbackus [AT] msn.com. See other works by Backus and contact info at www.andrewbackus.com.

Grace of Giving by Kaye McSpadden.
A reimagined version of an "offering dedication" song from the Beacon Song and Service Book of 1948. Leadsheet and simple piano accompaniment provided. Listen. Use, copy, and adapt freely. To contact: kaye7m [AT] gmail.com.

I Am Grateful by Scott Roewe.
A song of gratitude for the diversity around us, and inside each of us.  Leadsheet provided here for your perusal (and here is an audio file you may listen to), but before using, please contact Scott for permission and usage fees (to be determined based on size of congregation). Fees are $1/copy for use with a choir (choral arrangements are available), plus $25 for each 100 members of the congregation. Permission includes right to print and project lyrics and make video recordings that are used to promote the congregation. Contact: scott.roewe [AT] gmail.com.

In Holy Gratitude, arr. by Kaye McSpadden.
A simple 3-part round based on the traditional German song, Praise and Thanksgiving. Simple piano accompaniment provided, as well as leadsheet. Listen (regular). Listen (round). Permission granted to freely copy, use, and adapt. To contact: kaye7m [AT] gmail.com.

Song of the Five Thousand by Elizabeth Alexander.
A canonic "table grace" refrain from the choral piece Only a Couple of Fishes, with abundance, gratitude, and generosity at its core. May be sung with the choir or as a stand-alone song, as an a capella round or as a unison song with piano. May be licensed for a congregational use for a nominal fee. Online preview and ordering info.

We Show Our Thanks by Angela Salvaggione.
This song was written specifically to accompany taking the offering: "Sharing time, sharing talents, sharing treasure... to grow the work of our church in every possibility." Before using, contact Angela for information on permissions and/or fees: www.angelapiano.com.

What Have We to Offer? by Ray Makeever.
A hymn that lifts up all the gifts we may "lay at the altar," including "love ripe with laughter, hope that we can sing, dreams of what we're after" and "truth that must be spoken." Permission granted to freely copy and use. To contact: raymakeever [AT] gmail.com.


Songs that are in Published Volumes

Ah, Yes! by Mary Grigolia.
A simple, short 3-part round: "Ah, yes! Thank you, Hello."
In Songs of the Spirit/Commitment to a Vision, v.4, p.1.  Available at  http://marygrigolia.com/music/songbooks.

Alleluia Sing! by Shelley Jackson Denham.
A lively 4-part round: "Alleluia, sing a song of laughter... of joy... of love... of praise... of wonder."
In Songbook 3/Signature Collection, p.10. UUA, c1990.

Blessed Are We by Patricia McKernon.
A light, dance-light 3-part round: "Blessed are we in the morning for we shall be renewed. Blessed are we in the evening for we shall be festooned with all the Graces of the Spirit, the flowers of love divine."
In Rounds Galore! Captivating Rounds, Old and New, ed. Sol Weber, c1994, p. 109.

Blessed Be the Work by Tom Benjamin.
A simple, short, SATB arrangement with piano: "Blessed be the work of our hands."
In Responses: A Collection of Introits, Responses and Benedictions for Unitarian Universalist Congregations and Choirs, p.15. Tom Benjamin, c2001.

Blessing Song (Chant) by Ananda Marga School.
"May the blessings of sweet Planet Earth shine on everyone and may we see the light within. May the love we're sharing spread its wings, fly across the Earth and bring new joy to every soul that is alive."
In Songs for Earthlings: A Green Spirituality Songbook, ed. Julie Forest Middleton. Emerald Earth Publishing, c1998.

Circle of Thanks by Mary Grigolia.
An upbeat zipper song celebrating life in a community of gratitude: "Well a circle of thanks (dreams, love, faith etc) makes the world go round... gonna live in a circle of thanks."
Leadsheet in Songs of the Spirit/Commitment to a Vision, v.3, p.6. Version with piano accomp. in Songs for Growing Souls. Both volumes are available at  http://marygrigolia.com/music/songbooks.

Laudate, Omnia! by Grace Lewis-McLaren.
A joyful, simple song with piano accompaniment. You may sing the chorus ("Laudate omnia, cantate gratia" -- which means "Praise everything, sing with gratitude!") with or without the verses.
In Songs of Grace, c2003. Available from UUA Bookstore at http://www.uuabookstore.org/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=4577&Name=Grace+Lewis-McLaren.

Possibility by Mary Grigolia.
A simple melody with customizable verses: "Good morning, possibility. Good morning to myself today! How beautiful the world (the hills, the sky, etc) today! Hoe beautiful I/we are today! I open and receive the world with gratitude and joy."
In Songs of the Spirit/Commitment to a Vision, v.4, p.36.  Available at  http://marygrigolia.com/music/songbooks.

Thank You! by Mary Grigolia.
Designed for walking meditation, this song also works as a simple expression of gratitude. Is a zipper song and can be customized ("Thank you for this walk, thank you for this life, thank you for these gifts, etc.").
In Songs of the Spirit/Commitment to a Vision, v.3, p.31.  Available at  http://marygrigolia.com/music/songbooks.

This is the Church that We Built by Dana Clark.
Several verses and a chorus, celebrating how, by sharing our gifts and working together, we make this church "more than a ceiling and floor."
In My This Light Shine: A Songbook for Children and Youth, UUMN, c2006. Available from the UUA Bookstore at: http://www.uuabookstore.org/May-This-Light-Shine-Songbook-P16927.aspx.

We Are One, We Are Many by Rick and Hillary Wagner.
In Earth and Spirit Songbook, p. 180.
ed. Jim Scott,  (c)2003 Jim Scott Music. Available from UUA Bookstore and also Jim Scott Music. Check out this lovely recording by Jim's Red Pants: https://jimsredpants.bandcamp.com/track/we-are-one-we-are-many.

We Give Thanks in Praise by Tom Benjamin.
A short SATB arrangement with piano: "We give thanks in praise of all that sustains and holds, all that is holy."
In Responses: A Collection of Introits, Responses and Benedictions for Unitarian Universalist Congregations and Choirs, p.71. Tom Benjamin, c2001.
Songs in UU Hymnals
(available from UUA Bookstore)
 
From Singing the Living Tradition
19 The Sun That Shines
118 This Little Light of Mine
355 We Lift Our Hearts in Thanks
402 From You I Receive
 
From Singing the Journey
1010 We Give Thanks
1036 Calypso Alleluia
1050 Jazz Alleluia
1058 Be Ours a Religion
 
From Las Voces del Camino
68 Mi pequenita luz (This Little Light of Mine)

Like this list? Check out a similar list of children's recessionals at www.recessionals.org.