My Australian Christian Songs

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The Word Became a Song

'The Word became a human being' says the fourteenth verse of the first chapter of John's gospel. The second person of the eternal Trinity became a member of a carpenter's family in Nazareth. All that Christians know about God is learnt from him - the source of knowledge, the reference point, the everpresent companion.

But the Word isn't frozen in history. It continues to speak to us through the pages of the Bible, and through the spoken and written words of Christians. It communicates through the events and people in our lives as well. Not voices from the sky for most, but conversation built out of the ordinary everyday. We wouldn't suspect such a channel, but the Bible shows that's God's preferred option.

So I could have included every song I ever wrote in this collection. Instead it's limited to some songs that have a specific link with the Bible. A few are simply Bible verses set to music. Some are stories made into songs. Others have a Bible verse or event as a jumping off point, and contain thoughts and feelings inspired by a section of the Word.

Many of these are community songs. They're really modern hymns. Others are meant to be sung by an individual or small group to an audience, or for a congregation.

Thanks to all who have encouraged me on the way - and I haven't lacked encouragement! Thanks especially to so many people at St Stephen's Lutheran Church, Adelaide, for help, advice, prayers, love - my home for more than twenty years. Also to all those associated with the monthly student service there since 1971. So many songs were first sung there, and would not have begun without it.

Thanks to John Pfitzner and David Schubert at Openbook Publishers for editorial support and advice. Thanks to Jon Mann for taking time out from computer games to make computer music. Thanks to David Wood and Sharny Russell for piano arrangements: David for Father Welcomes and Feed us now, Sharny for The way is low, Anna's song and They knew who he was. Thanks to Sonya Flynn for the cover art, Monica Christian for checking arrangements and suggesting changes, and behoffski and his red pen for many improvements for the second printing.

Special thanks to four people:

• Brian Loffler, who was my earliest companion in making music
• John Sabel, who welcomed our music into the Church and suggested I write a baptism song for my daughter
• Rod Jepson, who in 1971 invited Dorothy and me to be part of the Scots Church worship band which soon became Kindekrist
• Dorothy Mann (Stiller), who makes music with me, listens to first, second and last drafts, is chief song critic, and God's daily messenger for me.

Robin Mann

Thanks ...

Last Monday, November 19, I got back home after a 4 week trip, mostly in Queensland.Only possible because of
Ray Shillabeer.
He's been my driver for the past 7½ years, for trips to Victoria, ACT, NSW and Queensland. He likes to label himself as 'Ray the Roadie', but he's a lot more than that. For the churches & schools I've sung at, we both set up the sound gear - the amps, guitars et al. He then retires to a back seat, while I sing & play. Afterwards, at schools, we take the gear down together. But at churches, he looks after the gear, while I talk with people & sell CDs & books. We get to stay with people most places , & we both love meeting people, enjoying their terrific hospitality.
This trip was his swan-song. I know he's enjoyed the driving & meeting people, but I still don't know how to say thank you. In his modest, self deprecating way, he'd reject the label of 'Servant of Christ', but he's been that for me, & together we've been able to serve people in many places.

THANKS, RAY!!