Composer
Lay Sister Anne Delaney, O.F.S., a Third Order Franciscan, is a sacred, church, and devotional music composer, "an inspired and gifted songwriter" (All Things Czech), a lyric soprano, and a published author. Her music and texts offer a rich integration and variety of biblical imagery, scripture, poetry, historical events, spiritual depth, and both liturgical and church music. Delaney proclaims the Lord's Gospel message with hope and heart.
Delaney has recorded two albums and one single. Her first album, Wool on The Lamb, is most striking and reflective. "The minor mode suggests the stillness and repose that are fruits of meditation" (Resource Publications, Inc., Liturgical Music Reviewer).
Her second album, On Your Behalf, together with her separate single, King of Hearts, was produced by Delaney and released through Pilgrim's Progress. "Delaney's ethereal soprano voice floats effortlessly, guiding listeners through anthems of peace, meditations on waiting, a tender love song to the Infant King Jesus, and a Litany for our time. Yet her singing and songs are at once ancient and timeless ~ a mystical offering where every note, every silence, becomes prayer, and prayer becomes Presence. May the Listener and the Beloved meet there." (Pilgrim's Progress)
How did Delaney's compositions unfold? As we unfurl the years to the present, let us begin with Delaney's composed Trilogy of Hope: Army of Peace, I Have Waited, and King of Hearts ~ three inspired songs in one opus. Army of Peace was inspired by photos seen in LIFE magazine ("The Birth of Freedom," February 1990 issue) showing the major sociopolitical confrontation on Prague's St. Wenceslas Square, November 4, 1989. Responding to the rally of reform on November 17, 1989, President Václav Havel exclaimed, "They had arms; we had the truth." Delaney continues: "To have 'true peace now reign,' to live the Gospel in freedom and solidarity, remains a holy struggle."
During an auspicious phone conversation, Delaney was humbled to speak with President Havel during his recuperation in Prague's Motol University Hospital, January 2009. Mr. President asked Delaney to send him her song, Army of Peace. An unexpected honor! ERMMedia prepared the release with a special dedication cover. Delaney hoped the music and lyrics were a meaningful blessing. President Havel (+
) passed on December 11, 2011.
At 5:04 PM on October 17, 1989, the San Francisco Bay Area shook from the massive 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake. 89 hours later, a radio announcer exclaimed: "We have a miracle!" Trapped underneath concrete blocks, Buck Helm (+) had been pulled from the collapsed Cypress freeway. Buck remained alive for another month; then entered into Eternal Life on November 18, 1989. Delaney composed, I Have Waited (89 Hours), a song of remembrance. Delaney also met Lorene, Helm's wife, and their daughter, Desiree. [Recording from second album: On Your Behalf, 1993, 1998; published: 21st Century Music and Pilgrim's Progress]
On December 30, 1989, Delaney experienced Amahl and the Night Visitors opera by composer and librettist, Gian Carlo Menotti (+) at a local theater. The music bass rhythms and tempos moved Delaney to compose the first verse for King of Hearts. Subsequently, the final verse was completed on January 6, 1990, Feast of the Epiphany. With full gratitude to the Infant Jesus of Prague who graciously, and directly, answered Delaney's fervent prayers, inflaming her heart, and inspiring the music and words of the beloved song, King of Hearts.
King of Hearts is Delaney's devotional hymn, in honor of the Infant Jesus of Prague, was inspired by Daniel A. Lord, S.J.'s "Infant of Prague Novena" honoring both the Lord's Kingship and His childlike simplicity. Delaney produced a single, King of Hearts, for the Czech Catholic people. Cardinal Frantisek Tomasek (+) of Prague received the gift in Prague for Saint Valentine's Day, February 14, 1990.
The excellent Czech translations for Srdcí Král/King of Hearts are beautifully and meticulously executed by Jiřina Fuchsová, renowned Czech poet, activist, founder of Czechs Abroad Memorial, and establisher of the Memorial of Foreign Czechs in Pilsen CZ. Jiřina and Delaney began their creative endeavors in 1990. Delaney shall always be grateful for her arduous efforts, poetic renditions, and their lasting friendship. Jiřina also chose Delaney's song Angels Are Sayin' for her 1994 memorial for poet and singer-songwriter, Karel Kryl, "the Czech Bob Dylan," at Loyola Marymount University in California.