OYH Selects: "On Eagle's Wings"

Fr. Michael Joncas

Open Your Hymnal is making its debut on Catholic radio tomorrow (September 1st)! To celebrate, we are releasing a re-mastered version of our very first podcast episode, "On Eagle's Wings," with composer Fr. Michael Joncas. The re-release includes the addition of our newest feature, the Open Your Hymnal Playlist, and more. Please enjoy this episode, originally released in May 2017!

[From the original episode posting]: The song "On Eagle's Wings" is everywhere: hymnals, YouTube, funerals and memorial services, and even PBS television specials. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert interview the song's composer, Fr. Michael Joncas, to learn more about the story of the song, the writing and publication process, and the song's legacy. There is even a surprise revelation about the connection between this beloved piece and Stephen Sondheim, and you don't want to miss it.

So, please open your hymnal to "On Eagle's Wings".

Episode links

For more information about Fr. Michael Joncas and his other compositions, visit his composer pages at World Library Publications, OCP, and GIA Publications.

You can purchase a copy of the song score and a copy of the original song recording from OCP. You can purchase a copy of the live concert recording (performed by Fr. Michael Joncas, Marty Haugen, and David Haas in 1985) and a copy of the instrumental piano recording (arranged and performed by Paul Tate) from GIA Publications.

You can purchase song recordings for the pieces you heard on OYH Playlist: "The Lord is My Light" (David Haas), "Be With Me Lord" (Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan), "Rorate Caeli" and "Deep and Lasting Peace" (Fr. Michael Joncas). 

You can purchase a copy of the instrumental guitar recording (arranged and performed by Stephen Petrunak) from iTunes. You can hear the United States Air Force Academy cadets sing "On Eagle's Wings" and watch Michael Crawford's live concert rendition on YouTube.

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