Borning Cry Volumes I & II

When the Revised Common Lectionary was introduced, John began writing a resource that became a two-volume work. It features Psalm settings, solos, anthems, ballads, liturgical songs, children’s songs, carols, canons, and coritos, written to tunes from 76 different countries, along with 155 original Ylvisaker compositions. Borning Cry Volumes I and II provide nine hundred songs on Biblical … Continue reading Borning Cry Volumes I & II

Copyright Permissions

Information About Use of John Ylvisaker’s Copyrights A contract will be issued in response to requests for permission to use material under John’s copyrights. Contract options and their corresponding fees are as follows: One song – for one time use $10.00 One song – for one year’s use $25.00 One liturgy – for one year’s … Continue reading Copyright Permissions

Two Streams of Congregational Music

The following article was included as the Preface to the second printing of Borning Cry – Worship for a New Generation in 1994. THE TWO STREAMS OF CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC When church members hear talk of “contemporary” worship, their usual reaction is, “We’ve never done that kind of thing before.”  Well, that’s probably not true.  The … Continue reading Two Streams of Congregational Music

Indigenization in Church Music

From Cross Accent Magazine: the Folk Process Is Alive and Well Webster defines the term “indigenization” as the practice of “adopting beliefs and customs of others to local ways, “ or “increasing local participation in or ownership of.”  Either way, it is a good word to use in defining the practice (the “folk process”) of … Continue reading Indigenization in Church Music

About “Drawn To The Light”

The first verse of “Drawn To The Light” is based on Isaiah 9:1-4; the second verse is from II Peter 1:19; and the third verse is from Revelation 21:22-26. The tune name is “LaCrosse” because it was premiered at a WELCA Conference held in La Crosse, WI. The four-note sequence that is repetitive in the … Continue reading About “Drawn To The Light”

About “Borning Cry”

Background on the Composition “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” Prior to the merger of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Media Services Center of the American Lutheran Church (ALC) employed John Ylvisaker to write original compositions for its resources. During 1985, the ALC was doing a series on baptism called … Continue reading About “Borning Cry”