Neelima Shukla-Bhatt offers an illuminating study of Narsinha Mehta, one of the most renowned saint-poets of medieval India and the most celebrated bhakti (devotion) poet from Gujarat, whose songs and sacred biography formed a vital source of moral inspiration for Gandhi. Exploring manuscripts, medieval texts, Gandhi's more obscure writings, and performances in multiple religious and non-religious contexts, including modern popular media, Shukla-Bhatt shows that the songs and sacred narratives associated with the saint-poet have been sculpted by performers and audiences into a popular source of moral inspiration.
Drawing on the Indian concept of bhakti-rasa (devotion as nectar), Narasinha Mehta of Gujarat reveals that the sustained popularity of the songs and narratives over five centuries, often across religious boundaries and now beyond devotional contexts in modern media, is the result of their combination of inclusive religious messages and aesthetic appeal in performance. Taking as an example Gandhi's perception of the songs and stories as vital cultural resources for social reconstruction, the book suggests that when religion acquires the form of popular culture, it becomes a widely accessible platform for communication among diverse groups. Shukla-Bhatt expands upon the scholarship on the embodied and public dimension of bhakti through detailed analysis of multiple public venues of performance and commentary, including YouTube videos.
This study provides a vivid picture of the Narasinha tradition, and will be a crucial resource for anyone seeking to understand the power of religious performative traditions in popular media.

Ranging from the medieval period to the present day, this is a brief history of church music as it has developed through the English tradition. Described as "a quick journey", it provides a broad historical survey rather than an in-depth study of the subject, and also predicts likely future trends.

25 World Church songs, with an emphasis on Central and South America. Includes: Cantai ao SenhorEl cielo cantaRe ya mathemathaIf you believe

Twenty-five beautiful songs from the World Church with an emphasis on Africa. Includes: GloriaSanto, santo santoSenhor tempiedade de nosHe came downStand firmHalle, halle, halleMay God draw nearThe Lord is my lightKyrie eleisonJesus Christ our living LordJesus saranamLet the world in concert singSara shristeImelaWa wa wa emimimoBlessed be GodAmen, Alleluia!Amen siakudumisaNdingen' endumisweniMayenziweMany and greatAgios o TheosKyrie eleisonYour kingdom comeJesu tawa pano

Tracing the steps of Jesus and his followers through the season of Lent to Easter Day and then beyond, these songs are suitable for music groups or choirs as well as being accessible to congregations.

Now available on CD, fifteen powerful a cappella songs from the South African church, including the acclaimed 'We Are Marching in the Light of God' (Siyahamba). Recorded in 1984. Songs collected and edited by Anders Nyberg. Freedom is comingAsikhatali (It Doesn't Matter)Gabi (Praise the Father)IpharadisiSingabahambayo (On Earth an Army is Marching)Siph'amandla (O God, Give Us Power)Akanamandla (He Has No Power)Bamthatha (He's Locked Up)Vula, Botha (Open, Botha)Shumayela (Come, Let Us Preach)Nkosi, Nkosi (Lord, Have Mercy)Siyahamba (We Are Marching)Haleluya! Pelo Tsa Rona (Haleluya! We Sing Your Praises)Thuma Mina (Send Me Jesus)We shall not give up the fight

The recording includes the title song, one of the Group's best known.

Singing God's Words is the first in-depth study of the experience and meaning of chanting or "reading" Torah among contemporary American Jews. This experience has been transformed dramatically in recent years by the impact of digital technology, feminism, the empowerment of lay people and a search for self-fulfillment through involvement with community. At a time when worshippers seek deeper spiritual experience, many Jews have found new meaning in the experience of reading Torah, an act that is broadly accessible to Jewish adults even as it requires intensive immersion with the text of the Bible in Hebrew. This book examines why and how growing numbers of American Jews in all denominations see the public chanting of Biblical texts during the synagogue service as one of the most authentic and personal expressions of their religious identity. Drawing on hundreds of interviews with men and women, both professionals and congregants, Jeffrey A. Summit describes how the reading of Torah embodies their understanding of historical religious practice, even as it is shaped by contemporary views of spiritual experience. Through this act, holiness becomes manifest at the intersection of Biblical chant, sacred text, the individual, and the community.

This follow-up to the bestselling songbook Come All You People offers 40 previously unpublished songs of similar variety which have been sung in prisons, on pilgrimages, at open air festivals, by cathedral choirs, and teenage and in-house music groups. They are short songs, some from present day Scotland, some from the World Church. They help people to participate and move in worship in a way that conventional hymns cannot and can be used as a tool to help create innovative styles of worship. The book includes hints on using the material and an appendix of readings and prayers for use with the songs. Agnus Dei (Aidan)Alleluia (Duncan)Amen alleluiaAmeniBe still and know (i)Be still and know (ii)Bless the LordBring your best to their worstDeo gratias (PSC)First born of MaryGive thanks, worship and praise the LordGod's eye be within meGoodness is stronger than evilHalle, halle, halle (Caribbean)Hallelujah (Korea)In love you summon, in love I followJesus Christ, Jesus ChristKyrie eleison (Bridget)Kyrie eleison (Chad)Lo, I am with you (to the end of the world)Lord Jesus Christ, lover of allLord of life, we come to youLord, draw nearLord, in your mercy (hear our prayer)Lord, you can turn all mourning into dancingMagnificat (G min)MayenziweMy eyes are dim with weepingNight has fallenNothing in height or in depthO brother Jesus (where have we left you)O Lamb of God (Constantine)O Lamb of God (Moss)On God alone, I wait silentlySanctus (Aidan)Stand firmThe peace of the earth (be with you)There is one among usThis is the body of ChristWe will take what you offer