Sunrise over snowy Wasatch peaks and a frosted meadow, a closed book glowing on a rock

Church of the SunHymnal

A small book for singing at first light. Three parts: the songs that already belong, the hymns written for the church, and music for listening.

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Part one

Songs we love

1

Follow the Sun

Xavier Rudd

The founding song. It says the whole church in three words and then just keeps walking toward the light. Sing it to open any morning.

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

2

Solar Power

Lorde

A summer-solstice anthem for stepping off-grid and letting the sun set the terms.

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3

Here Comes the Sun

The Beatles

The obvious psalm. Winter ends, the ice melts, and a whole congregation exhales. Sing it the first warm day of spring.

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4

Mr. Blue Sky

Electric Light Orchestra

Pure conversion energy. Skeptics walk in at the first strings and leave waving their arms at the ceiling.

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

5

Morning Has Broken

Cat Stevens

Already literally a hymn, so we simply adopt it. Praise for the new day, piano included.

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

6

Sunshine on My Shoulders

John Denver

Mountain-man scripture, very Utah. Light on the shoulders is the whole sacrament.

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7

Lovely Day

Bill Withers

Morning prayer in four minutes. That long, held note is the closest thing we have to a benediction.

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8

What a Wonderful World

Louis Armstrong

The wonder verse. A gravel-voiced thank-you for skies, trees and every bright day.

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9

Three Little Birds

Bob Marley

Every little thing gonna be alright is a mantra. The morning arrival hymn: step onto the doorstep and receive it.

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

10

Walking on Sunshine

Katrina and the Waves

For the loud services. Joy with the volume knob removed.

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

11

You Are the Sunshine of My Life

Stevie Wonder

The love song to the light itself. Gentle, devoted, and a little bit swooning.

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

12

Sun Is Shining

Bob Marley

Closing benediction. Slow, warm, and it sends everyone home glowing.

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

13

People of the Sun

Roaman (2019)

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

14

People of the Sun

Rage Against the Machine (Evil Empire, 1996)

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

15

Behind the Sun

Red Hot Chili Peppers (The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, 1987)

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

16

La canzone del sole

Lucio Battisti (1971)

YouTube Apple Music Spotify

17

Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

Elton John & George Michael (live duet, 1991)

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Room for more. Send a song and it gets a number. Links only; the words stay with the people who wrote them.

Part two

Hymns of the Sun

1

Shine On, O Morning Sun

Original hymn. Four verses and a chorus.

Verse 1
The night lets go, the ridge turns gold,
The frost begins to run;
The morning asks us nothing yet
And gives to everyone.
Chorus
Shine on, shine on, O morning Sun,
We lift our faces high;
One light for all, one light for all,
One golden, open sky.
Verse 2
No door is shut, no pew is saved,
No soul is left outside;
The same warm hand is on each roof
Where rich and poor abide.
Chorus
Shine on, shine on, O morning Sun,
We lift our faces high;
One light for all, one light for all,
One golden, open sky.
Verse 3
So turn your face and follow on
Wherever morning leads;
A heart once opened to the light
Is all the creed it needs.
Chorus
Shine on, shine on, O morning Sun,
We lift our faces high;
One light for all, one light for all,
One golden, open sky.
Verse 4
And when the day goes down in flame
Behind the western hill,
We'll thank the Sun for what it gave
And rise to meet it still.
Final chorus, louder
Shine on, shine on, O morning Sun,
We lift our faces high;
One light for all, one light for all,
One golden, open sky.
How to sing it. Common Meter (8.6.8.6), so it fits many familiar hymn tunes, Amazing Grace among them, until it gets a melody of its own. Stand if you can. Face east. Coffee is permitted.

Part three

Hand pan drum

1

Ma'at the divine orchestration

Hand pan drum. Nacho. 12:55.

2

Love at Dawn in the Forest

Hand pan drum. Nacho. 19:39.

3

Consciousness

Hand pan drum. Nacho. 8:22.

4

Good Morning Utah

Hand pan drum. Nacho. 16:07.

5

Moon Drum

Hand pan drum. Nacho. 8:29.

Five pieces for the quiet before the day gets loud. Press play and close your eyes.

Listen to the hand pan drum

Submit a Hymn

Wrote something for the Sun? Send it. The founder reads every one, and the ones that belong are added to the hymnal. Nothing is published automatically.