For these difficult times, a sampling of melodies that express appreciation and gratitude
By Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Tough times of anxiety call for songs of comfort, joy and thanks to God.
The following is a mix of both secular and Christian songs of gratitude to uplift you during this month of Thanksgiving, along with a little about the song’s background.
“Counting My Blessings (Instead of Sheep)”
Written by Irving Berlin, sung by Bing Crosby
When I’m worried,
And I can’t sleep,
I count my blessings instead of sheep,
And I fall asleep,
Counting my blessings.
American composer and lyricist Irving Berlin wrote the song “Counting My Blessings,” after complaining to his doctor about his ongoing insomnia. In a 1952 letter, Berlin recalled that in response to his “belly-aching,” the doctor asked him, “Did you ever try counting your blessings?”
The tune is probably best known for being sung by Bing Crosby to Rosemary Clooney in a scene from the holiday classic “White Christmas.” But the lyrics have nothing specifically to do with Christmas. Just a lot of gratitude.
“Malo! Malo! Thanks to be God!”
Written and sung by Jesse Manibusan
Malo! Malo! Thanks be to God! (Malo! Malo! Thanks be to God!)
Obrigado! Alleluia! (Obrigado! Alleluia!)
¡Gracias! Kam sa ham nida! (¡Gracias! Kam sa ham nida!)
Malo! Malo! Thanks be to God! (Malo! Malo! Thanks be to God!)
Catholic singer-songwriter Jesse Manibusan, who has often visited Hawaii, wrote the upbeat song “Malo! Malo! Thanks to Be God” for World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. The lyrics include the words “thank you” translated into a plethora of languages. (“Malo” is Tongan.) Manibusan also included the song in his multilingual Mass setting, “Misa del Mundo.”
“Lead Me Home”
Written and sung by Matt Maher
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for Your love
The perfect sacrifice
Praise to God above
Thank You for the gift
Thank You for the price
Of losing everything
To gain eternal life
“Lead Me Home” is a song by popular Catholic musician Matt Maher’s 2008 album “Welcome to Life.” A 2019 Aleteia blog listed it as a perfect replacement for your normal prayer before your Thanksgiving meal.
“The song is about renewal of faith and love, as well as the acknowledgment that the good things in our life, as well as our lives in general, are all gifts from God, meant to be cherished and met with gratitude,” wrote the blog author, J-P Mauro.
“Give Thanks to the Lord (Who Does Wondrous Deeds)”
Written by Dan Schutte
Give thanks to the Lord
Who does wondrous deeds,
Who masters the winds
And the raging seas,
Whose love is forever,
Whose love is forever,
Whose love is forevermore.
Catholic musician and former Jesuit Dan Schutte composed the 1992 Catholic folk contemporary song “Give Thanks to the Lord” based on Psalm 136, which begins “Praise the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.” Schutte, who is best known for writing “Here I am, Lord,” is a member of the St. Louis Jesuits, a group of Jesuit songwriters who introduced a slew of popular folk church music starting around the 1970s.
“Thank You”
Written and sung by Johnny Suite
Thank you for being my person,
Your arms wide open, helping me to love again,
Thank you for being my shoulder,
Listening closer, trusting you with everything.
Local boy Johnny Suite (real name Elijah Lagafuaina) recorded this 2018 reggae hit. While it isn’t specifically a Christian song, Suite has said his music is influenced by his church roots. And in a 2018 video interview about “Thank You,” he revealed that he wrote the second verse of the song about two of his best friends, who helped him with his spiritual and overall growth.
“Give Thanks (With a Grateful Heart)”
Written by Henry Smith, popularized by Don Moen
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, ‘I am strong’
Let the poor say, ‘I am rich’
Because of what the Lord has done for us
The popular Christian song “Give Thanks” is the only one published by musician Henry Smith, according to an interview he gave to the St. Augustine Record in 2015. He wrote it in 1978, during a tough time in his life struggling with work and a degenerative eye condition. Smith first sang it with his wife at their church. The tune began to spread when a military service member in Smith’s church played it while stationed overseas. Eventually, Christian singer Don Moen recorded it for Integrity Music, where it became even more popular.