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Easy Catholic Hymns Anyone can Use
I have been questioned a few times for easy to sing Catholic hymns that can be sung and played during Mass. While there is a plethora of liturgical music out there, Latin, English, Spanish, you name it, it can be hard to narrow down what is actually a simple, beautiful piece of hymnody.
We all want music that we can learn quickly, intone seamlessly, and play without too much effort. If that is where your skill level or music ministry situation is, this list will be particularly helpful for you.
Or, perhaps you are looking for easy Catholic hymns as backups for when you need an extra Communion hymn, a last-minute change has occurred, or if you are dealing with fewer choir members or cantors because of a global pandemic.
If this describes you and your situation, let’s get going on setting some criteria and discovering the kind of music liturgy that is out there!
Criteria for Choosing Easy to Sing Catholic Hymns
- The hymn could be familiar to us (so melody that we know, older music that might have been more familiar, etc)
- The rhythms are pretty basic and easy to read (quarter, half, whole notes, perhaps a few dotted notes and eighths to keep things interesting)
- Melodies feature stepwise or easy skip motion/movement. (No crazy big intervals, no strange skips or tones)
- Songs stay in the same key for the entirety of the song
- They can be added with parts, but it also sounds good in unison
- Songs that are classic and tried and true as Catholic songs, or liturgically sound (some of these will be my opinion, of course!)
- BONUS: The hymns are not too hard to play as an accompanist (some of them will be)
My “Easy to Sing Catholic Hymn” Picks (with some help from others)
Note: I got most of these ideas from Catholic choir directors and musicians just like you! So these are sure to be tried and true selections to check out and implement if they work for you and your singers!
1 – The Lord is My Hope
Overview/Background:
- Written by M.D. Ridge
- Piano accompaniment by Patrick Loomis
- Text: based on 2 Samuel 22
- 3/4 time signature
- Eb Major key
- Found in: Heritage Missal, Breaking Bread, Today’s Missal, Healing Our Church
Pros:
- Beautiful melody
- Short verses
- mostly simple rhythms
- Moderate tempo
Cons:
- A few large interval jumps in the melody
- About 10 chords needed to play
- The accompaniment features a lot of running 8th notes, though you could modify if needed
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
There are some jumps within the melody that may be difficult for singers and the assembly to navigate. It also contains many different types of rhythms, a few non-key tones, and many chord changes.
I am not familiar with this hymn, but it is a lovely setting! Definitely fits in my list of easy to sing Catholic hymns.
2 – Abba, Father
Overview/Background:
- Written by Carey Landry and Carol Jean Kinghorn-Landry
- Piano accompaniment by Martha Lesinski
- Text: Jeremiah 18:6, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:29, John 17:21
- 3/4 time signature
- D Major key
- Found in: United in Christ, Today’s Missal, Heritage Missal, Breaking Bread, Journeysongs, Glory & Praise
Pros:
- Beautiful melody,
- Repetitive in nature and prayerful
- Very simple rhythms
- Slow tempo
- 2 chords to play, simple ostinato with melody on top.
Cons:
- I don’t see any!
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 2
A few interval jumps in the melody, but none that cannot be learned well and overcome. The melody is not high, though added options of a descant can add interest and beauty.
One I am unfamiliar with, but very pleasant!
3 – Amazing Grace
Overview/Background:
- Written by John Newton
- Text: many verses as sources
- 3/4 time signature
- G Major key
- Found in: almost every hymnal
Pros:
- Beautiful melody
- mostly simple rhythms
- 4 chords to play
Cons:
- A few large interval jumps in the melody
- high sustained note
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
This seems to be a classic American hymn that is included in every hymnal I know. It may not have the most Catholic roots, but it still is a nice song that many people love. Nevertheless, how you feel about it, it can be played with 4 simple chords and most people in your assembly will know it!
4 – They’ll Know We Are Christians
Overview/Background:
- Written by Peter Sholtes
- Piano accompaniment by John Strege
- 2/2 time signature
- F minor key
- Found in: Heritage Missal, Breaking Bread, Today’s Missal, United in Christ, Journeysongs, Glory & Praise, Choral Praise, and more
Pros:
- Fun, upbeat melody
- Familiar tune
- Super simple rhythms
- 3 chords to play
Cons:
- A few large interval jumps in the melody
- Is not a fun song if played too slow!
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 3
This song has been a classic for parishes I have sung in all my life. But you must keep the tempo upbeat and bouncy for it to be fun for the assembly to sing, too. Dragging the tempo or not singing it with joy will kill the nature of the whole song.
5 – How Firm a Foundation
Overview/Background:
- Written by Russell Woollen
- Piano accompaniment by Russell Woollen
- 4/4 time signature
- F Major key
- Found in: Heritage Missal, Breaking Bread, Today’s Missal, Journeysongs, Choral Praise.
Pros:
- Familiar tune
- Notes do not go too high
- Super simple rhythms
Cons:
- Needs 7 chords to play
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
Based on the number of chord changes for players (especially if you do both playing and singing, I give it a rating of 4. Just singing purposes, it is entirely doable by anyone. The nice rhythm and note patterns that are in this song make it pleasant to both play and sing.
6 – Create in Me
Overview/Background:
- Written by Bob Hurd
- Organ accompaniment by Craig S. Kingsbury
- Text: based on Psalm 51
- 4/4 time signature
- A Major key
- Found in: Heritage Missal, Breaking Bread, Today’s Missal, United in Christ, Journeysongs, Glory & Praise, Choral Praise, and more
Pros:
- Beautiful text and setting
- Nice melody
- Could work as a Psalm as well as a hymn
Cons:
- Different rhythms and entrances on the offbeat could make it difficult for novice singers
- 8 chords to play, fast transitions
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 5
A beautiful short setting to use for Communion, offertory, or a Psalm. This would be perfect for a singer who has some experience in reading music, and of course, a little practice will make it easy for anyone. I upped the difficulty rating because of the number of chord changes and the offbeat entrances for the singers.
7 – Turn to Me
Overview/Background:
- Written by John Foley, S.J.
- Piano accompaniment by John S. Foley, S.J.
- Text: based on Isaiah 45 + 51
- 4/4 time signature
- E Major key
- Found in: Heritage Missal, Breaking Bread, Today’s Missal, United in Christ, Journeysongs, Glory & Praise, and more
Pros:
- Pretty, slow tune and music
- Great for Offertory/Communion
- Would work for a cantor or choir or both
Cons:
- More difficult rhythms and notes
- 7 chords with lots of sharps
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 5
With some practice, any beginner singer will put this on their easy to sing Catholic hymns list. It is a beautiful hymn that I am unfamiliar with, but one I kind of wish my parish would adopt! I might have to make some new suggestions for the organists.
8 – Love Has Come
Overview/Background:
- Written by Matt Maher
- Piano accompaniment by Ed Buldoc
- Text: based on 1 Corinthians 13
- 12/8 time signature
- D Major key
- Found in: Breaking Bread, Today’s Missal, Choose Christ Missal, Journeysongs, Spirit & Song, Glory & Praise, Choral Praise
Pros:
- Fun, driving tune
- Has a beautiful sacred and choral quality to it
- Nice rhythms, easy to learn
- Only 4 chords that repeat
Cons:
- An octave range that might not work for every singer
- 12/8 might confuse some singers
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
This song is a great choral rendition of Matt Maher’s rock-like version. It can sound very reverent and sacred when sung and played the right way. It might be time to try something like this in my parish, too!
9 – Holy is His Name
Overview/Background:
- Written by John Michael Talbot
- Piano accompaniment by John Michael Talbot
- Text: based on Luke 1:46-55
- 4/4 time signature
- D Major key
- Found in: Breaking Bread, Heritage Missal, Today’s Missal, Choose Christ Missal, Journeysongs, Spirit & Song, Glory & Praise, Choral Praise, and more
Pros:
- Nice text and melody
- Has a beautiful sacred and choral quality to it
- Only 5 chords that repeat
Cons:
- Rhythms vary, but with practice, anyone could sing it
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
This song is a beautiful slow song to use during meditation or Communion. A singer may have a hard time navigating some of the dotted rhythms, but the melody is definitely doable and can be learned along with everything else.
10 – Risen Lord We Gather Round You
Overview/Background:
- Written by Herman J. Stuempfle
- Piano accompaniment by Bob Morre
- 4/4 time signature
- G Major key
- Found in: Printed music from GIA (link above)
Pros:
- Great tune Easter season
- Easy rhythms and melody
- Good for cantors or choirs
Cons:
- I don’t see any, except that there are no chords and the accompaniment is quite extensive
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
This hymn would work well as an easy to sing Catholic hymn for the Easter season. The assembly as well as the choir would enjoy singing it.
A Good Start?
I think so. Start by picking out a few from these 10 songs that you could incorporate into your Masses. Once you have learned those as a singer (or an accompanist), you can go on and learn other easy to sing Catholic hymns.
There is a little bit of everything for singers, a bit of classic, a bit of slow, a bit of faster, and all very doable for beginner singers and those who have trouble reading music.
This list will also be helpful for music directors who need to have unison choir pieces that sound great but are super easy to sing!
I love helping with your needs; so let me know what you favorite easy to sing Catholic hymns are, and I will be happy to add them to this list.
Related Posts:
8 Steps for Singing and Playing at the Same Time
15 Helpful Helpful YouTube Channels for Music Ministers
How to Sing Descants for Beginners
