Music and audio © 1 May 2023 Alexander Massey “Seek the peace—the shalom—of the city, and pray to God for it: for in its peace, you shall all have peace.” (Jer. 29:7) This is a song that I wrote on the occasion of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. I gave its …
V’dirshu et shalom ha’ir – Seek the peace of the city Read More »
Original songs by Alexander Massey The Four Children – A fun song that use two voice parts, one very simple and repetitive. Ki L’olam Chasdo (Ps 136) – Verses from the Great Hallel, including refrains that I very quick for people to pick up around the seder table. Oseh Shalom (Ukraine lullaby) – When the …
The Cantors Assembly in the USA has a wonderful monthly online gathering called SongSwap, showcasing liturgical songs and songwriters, and the methods and songs of cantors working with congregations around the country. The theme for January 2023 was ‘Songs for Social Justice in Honour of Martin Luther King (MLK) Day’. Looking through my own catalogue, …
Music & Audio @ 7 Dec 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved שְׁלַח-אוֹרְךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ, הֵמָּה יַנְחוּנִי יְבִיאוּנִי אֶל-הַר-קָדְשְׁךָ, וְאֶל-מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶיךָ ;Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me .let them bring me to your holy mountain, and to your dwelling place Yearning is an essential part of a full spiritual life. The …
Music & audio © 29 Sept 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved
Music & Audio © 4 Nov 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved The original text on which this song is based appeared during the Second World War, on the wall of a cellar in Cologne, and is believed to have been written by one or more Jews hiding from the Nazis: Ich glaube an …
Light is apparently mentioned only 36 times in the Torah (B’nei Yissascher on Kislev and Tevet 1:6). It is mentioned many more times in the Talmud, and especially the mystical text of the Zohar. We are taught that the soul of a each person is part of the light of God (Prov. 20:27). There are …
Music and audio © November 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Psalm 97:11 אוֹר, זָרֻעַ לַצַּדִּיק, וּלְיִשְׁרְי לֵב שִׂמְחָה “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” I wrote a completely different setting of Or Zarua during the same 24 hour period; it’s a more contemplative version. It’s interesting …
Music and audio © November 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Psalm 97:11 אוֹר, זָרֻעַ לַצַּדִּיק, וּלְיִשְׁרְי לֵב שִׂמְחָה “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” There’s no doubt that this is an inward, contemplative setting that could almost be a lullaby. I wrote a completely different setting …
Here are a few songs that can help people make sacred space together. The commentaries give some useful ideas about kavanah – focus and intentionality. Ashrei Yoshvei Veitecha – ‘Happy are those who dwell in your house’ Elohai N’shamah (Ber. 60b) – ‘My God, the soul You have given me is pure.’ (easy 3 part …