Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#217

217. Jesus, Remember Me

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Text Information

• First Line: Jesus, remember me
• Title: Jesus, Remember Me
• Meter: PM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Luke 23:42
• Topic: Songs for Children: Bible Songs; Kingdom; Lord's Supper; Walk with God
• Copyright: Text and music © 1978, 1980, 1981, Les Presses de Taizé. Used by permisson of G.I.A. Publications, Inc., exclusive agent. All rights reserved.

Tune Information

• Name: JESUS, REMEMBER ME
• Composer: Jacques Berthier (1978)
• Meter: PM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Text and music © 1978, 1980, 1981, Les Presses de Taizé. Used by permisson of G.I.A. Publications, Inc., exclusive agent. All rights reserved.

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. = Luke 23:42

One of the robbers crucified with the Savior cried out, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Jesus responded, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" (v. 43). This humble plea of a sinner for divine mercy is all the more poignant today as our Savior in heaven continues to pray for his people.

“Jesus, Remember Me” comes from the Taizé community, an ecumenical community in France with Reformed roots. In the Taizé tradition, short songs are often sung repeatedly with various descants (as here and at 312); others are canons (see 622). The Taizé and many other Christian communities and churches use this song as a meditative chant in communal prayers. The text and tune are from Music from Taizé (vol. 1, 1981), published by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. I

Liturgical Use:
Good Friday; as a prayer song in a meditative service.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

JESUS, REMEMBER ME (1978) is a simple tune from the hand of Jacques Berthier (b. Auxerre, France, 1923; d. Paris, France, 1994), one of the primary composers associated with the Taizé community. Consisting of just two phrases in melodic sequence, the tune is intended for singing in harmony, with repeats optional at the discretion of the performers. One can forgo the quarter rest at the middle of each line, singing basically two long lines for the entire song. In a meditative service, repeat the song a number of times (with some use of the two descants)–sometimes softly, sometimes forcefully, sometimes only humming. The song can also be sung as a "frame" surrounding spoken or silent prayers, or as a refrain to a series of spoken prayers.

A son of musical parents Berthier studied music at the Ecole Cesar Franck in Paris. From 1961 until his death he served as organist at St. Ignace Church, Paris. Although his published works include numerous compositions for organ, voice, and Instruments, Berthier is best known as the composer of service music for the Taizé community near Cluny, Burgundy. Influenced by the French liturgist and church musician Joseph Gelineau, Berthier began writing songs for equal voices in 1955 for the services of the then nascent community of twenty brothers at Taizé. As the Taizé community grew, Berthier continued to compose most of the mini-hymns, canons, and various associated instrumental arrangements, which are now universally known as the Taizé repertoire. In the past two decades this repertoire has become widely used in North American church music in both Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook