May the angels welcome you to paradise lyrics

This is a hymn for funerals.

It was written by English Roman Catholic priest, composer and founder-member of the St Thomas More Group, Ernest (Ernie) Sands (1949-2016).

The song was first published in 1990, by Oregon Catholic Press, and has become widely used at funerals in both the UK and US.

The refrain is based on the Latin funeral-hymn, 'In Paradisum', while the verses are based on Psalm 27.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Sands. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of D, the first few notes are FEFG A E FA G D with accompanying chords D -- A/C# -- D7/C -- G/B.

Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).

Examples

Duet with piano and flute:

Choir and soloist with organ, professional recording:

Singer, self-accompanied on guitar:

Instrumental - electronic organ:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
May the choirs of angels come to greet you.
May they speed you to paradise.
May the Lord enfold you in his mercy.
May you find eternal life.

1 The Lord is my light and my help ...

2 There is one thing I ask of the Lord ...

3 O Lord, hear my voice when I cry ...

4 I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness;

See more ...

• Hymns for funerals
• Settings of the psalms

This is the final processional hymn from the Roman Catholic funeral rite.

Traditionally, this hymn was sung by the choir as the deceased was taken from the church. However in some cases, it may be used as a spoken prayer at the end of the funeral liturgy, followed by an appropriate locally-chosen hymn.

The setting below is to the first part of the Irish tune used for "Danny Boy".

Files to Download:

Lyrics:

May holy angels lead you forth to paradise,
And may the martyrs greet your coming home.
May you find welcome there within God’s dwelling-place,
The radiant city, New Jerusalem.

ABC Notation:

Ref:  What is ABC

X:1
T:May Holy Angels
T:The Londonderry Air / Danny Boy
C:Traditional
Z:abc-transcription www.GodSongs.net

M:4/4
L:1/8
K:Gmaj
FGA | "G"B3 A BedB |"C"(AG) E3 G Bc |
w:May ho-ly ang-els lead you forth to pa-ra-dise, and may the
d3 "G"e dBGB | "D"A4 z FGA | "G"B3 A BedB |
w:mar-tyrs greet your com-ing home. May you find wel-come there with-in God’s
(AG) "C"E3 FGA | "G"B3 c "D"BAGA | "G"G4 z |]
w:dwell-ing-place, the rad-iant city,_ New Je-ru-sa-lem.

URL:

BB (forum) link code:

Trans/Adapted:

• The Book of Common Prayer
• Theodore Marier