This article was written for the April 2025 issues of our parish magazine: I have written before about Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” (September 2024), but this version has new lyrics, written by Kelly Mooney: A crown of thorns placed on His head, He knew that He would soon be dead, He said did you forget … More Hallelujah! (Cohen, arr. Rickley)
Alleluia Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia!! That first announcement of the Resurrection of Jesus at the Easter vigil. Jesus is dead, he’s descended into hell. Everything he promised and all the hope he brought has died with him. His followers are despondent and broken hearted, his mother and some other women are … More May Letter to the Parish
Hallelujah! He is risen! Our parish choir sings for you the words of James F Rickley, setting the Easter story to Leonard Cohen’s timeless classic, “Hallelujah” St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming. • Hallelujah (Easter lyrics) © 1985 … More Music for Easter Monday
He is Risen! Hallelujah! Our choir celebrates by singing “Risen Lord”: St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming.
Cohen steadfastly avoided giving explanations for his lyrics, instead allowing cover singers and audiences to find their own meaning in the poetry. He did however say that “many different hallelujahs exist”, and that “there is a religious hallelujah, but there are many other ones. When one looks at the world, there’s only one thing to say, and it’s hallelujah” … More Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen (1934-2016)
How do you get up in the morning?
I used to get up at 4.30 on a Sunday morning to get into a local radio station for 5.30, ready to present a religious breakfast show that I was also responsible for producing. I did this for eight years. So it was important for me to have an early waking-up routine: something I could rely upon when I was drowsy and bleary-eyed … More Pentecost 2024
Alleluia Jesus is risen from the dead, he is alive he’s come back from the dead, the plot twist we have been teasing for the last few weeks. Jesus is risen from the dead, he has come back to the life, that is not something that happened before and Jesus has done it, he has risen from the dead Hallelujah! It’s so great to be able to shout that so loudly right now on this most Holy Day, Jesus is alive. … More He is risen from the dead Alleluia
Alleluia! Christ is risen! A joyous welcome to our service of holy communion celebrating Easter. Rev Sue will preside, Rev Helen will preach, and ALM Carol will lead the intercessions … More Easter Day 2024
Alleluia!
This is indeed the Alleluia season.
There are many, many pieces of celebratory church music that have just the one word – Alleluia – and since this magazine issue is going out predominantly online, I thought this would be a good time to showcase some of them … More Alleluia
The story of the women at the tomb at Easter never fails to get the message of Easter across to me. That morning there was Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, Joanna, and several other women who had been following Jesus … More Vicar’s April letter to the parish
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 