Hi, Kayla.  Not exactly a "thank you" song, but my college show ensemble used the Tallis Canon for the blessing when we ate together either in Workshops or on tour.  We sang the 1st verse in unison, then the Doxology words in canon.  And it was easy enough that our technical crew easily learned it and not just our singers!  When we had dinner with hosts they were MOST impressed and appreciative.

 

John

 

In my college years we used to sing a simple four part song after being hosted for lunch, etc., with the following words:

 

"For food and hospitality we thank you our dear friends,

Your kindness we will ne'er forget, where e'er our journey ends.

We thank you, we thank you, may God be good to you,

For food and hospitality, we thank you our dear friends"

 

I am not sure where to find the music for this, but someone out there might have it.

 

In high school, we sang an unaccompanied version of "Thank You Very Much," from the musical Scrooge. We also included a kazoo chorus where indicated in these lyrics below (pronouns altered).

 

On behalf of all the people who have assembled here
We would merely like to mention if we may
That our unanimous attitude
Is one of lasting gratitude
For what our friends have done for us today
And therefore we would simply like to say...

Thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for us
It may sound Double-Dutch
But our delight is such
We feel as if a losing war's been won for us.

And if we had a flag we'd hang our flag out
To add a sort of final victory touch
But since we left our flag at home
We'll simply have to say
Thank you very, very, very much!

 

["Surprise" kazoo chorus, playing the melody of this repeated section...

 

Thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for us.
It may sound Double-Dutch
But our delight is such
We feel as if a losing war's been won for us.

 

Kazoo chorus ends]

And if we had a flag we'd hang our flag out
To add a sort of final victory touch
But since we left our flag at home
We'll simply have to say
Thank you very, very, very much!

 

Thank you VERY, VERY, VE  RY MUUUUUUUUUUCH! (Simple but big finish, easy but effective harmonies)

Kayla

 

Darla Bair of the Amadeus Chorale has written just such a song - she can be reached through their website at www.theamadeuschorale.org

 

The Irish blessing is another nice benediction song, or thank you

song......"May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand."     It has been set to more than one melody.

Check with a music publisher.

Ruth Jones,  Lancaster, CA

I wrote a short, up tempo 3 part  treble "thank you" song for use in the community chorus I direct.

It could be easily  re-voiced for any combination; works with or without piano.

(score has  chord symbols only)   it is light hearted and rhythmically silly/fun. 

 

"Thank you— thank you very much! (4X)

What would we do without  you?  We thank you.

Thanks a lot!  Thanks a lot! Thanks a lot! (twice)

Thanks very much!"

 

email me if you'd like to see it  and I'll send a pdf

Joan Szymko

 

Along the same lines as "Tallis Canon," I have been in situations where the "Dona nobis" canon worked very well -- especially in foreign countries. Often the audience will join in as well. I remember a very emotional experience with a high school choir on the train about to leave Warsaw (Poland), singing with the host families joining in from outside the train as we left the station -- this in May 1987, with many of the Polish people carefully revealing small US Flags from under their coats.

 

In some situations a "thank you" song can be fine, even if it is cute. On other occasions it may seem gratuitous. If the program and the location supports it, the Lutkin "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" can also fit the bill. Sometimes a familiar text and tune outstrips a newer setting.

 

Charles Q. Sullivan

cqsmusic(a)hotmail.com

 

 

 

Hi Kayla,

The college choir I sing in puts the following words with the hymn tune "THANK YOU, LORD" by Seth and Bessie Sykes (The tune can be found in the Celebration Hymnal or the 2008 Baptist Hymnal) when we are fed by a church on choir tour:

 

"Thank you folks, for giving us food,

Thank you folks, for feeding us good.

Thank you folks, for showing to us,

Your hospitality A plus." (At this point we give them a thumbs up.)

Lutkin's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" could also work.