LiturgyTools.net: Traditional songs "baptised": religious words for folk tunes and popular songs

yellow finches sitting on a perch singing secular non-religious songs as sacred / religious hymns or songs

A challenge faced by many liturgical / pastoral musicians is when someone requests a particular piece of secular music, especially a popular or folk song for a liturgy in a church where non-religious music is not welcome.

This often happens at funerals and weddings and other emotionally difficult times, with people who have limited connections with the church and who are unlikely to understand why churches prefer to use music that was written for worship..

In these situations, playing an instrumental version is one option. However it is often not popular because the original lyrics are still predominant in the minds of most people who hear the tune

Another option is to use a "baptized" version: ie the original tune, but:

With religious words set it, and
Played in a style which respects both the venue and the pastoral situation.

Below is a list of some secular tunes, and similar or equivalent hymns. Currently the list is focused on Irish / Celtic / Gaelic tunes, but others will be added over time.

This is most definitely not a list of parody-hymns - each set of lyrics is intended to be used as a regular hymn. However they should be used with some caution, in case the secular association of the tune outweighs the religious message in the words.

Popular song tunes and folk-tunes with religious words set to them


Danny Boy- LONDONDERRY AIRE	I Cannot Tell (copyright free) Go Silent Friend (Bell - for funerals)
Down by the Sally Gardens	Inspired by Love and Anger
House of the Rising Sun	Amazing Grace -the words can be sung to this tune, and have been done this way by some contemporary Christian musicians.
I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing	In Christ there is no East or West
Isle of Innisfree	Teach me Dear Lord (Dick Farrelly)
Mor Ghile Mear	Faithful is the Lord our King (Liam Lawton)
Scarborough Fair	Sing of a Girl
Star of the County Down - KINGSFOLD	I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say Canticle of the Turning (Cooney) Led by the Spirit of our God
The Water is Wide - O WALY WALY	To Do Your Will This is my Will (Quinn) Lord Make me an Instrument
Wild Mountain Thyme / Will you Go Lassie, Go	My Soul is Filled with Joy / Holy is His Name
Ye Banks and Braes	We Cannot Measure How you Heal