Category: Church music
Thorny Desert
If you’ve ever spent time in the desert, you’ll know that despite the thorns there are times–especially in the moonlight when you stand there alone, very still, listening–the dew sparkles and glistens and there’s a refreshing, peaceful, soul warming breeze.
Pisgah
The title of the tune, Pisgah,” from the tune from Southern Harmony, derives from the Hebrew word for summit and was the biblical mountain from which Moses first saw the promised land. It’s also the name for a mountain in North Carolina! For the… Continue Reading “Pisgah”
Maundy Thursday Music
Rev. Wells will chose music from this steaming playlist for tonight’s Maundy Thursday service on Zoom:
The Lone Pilgrim
This repository of tunes from almost 200 years ago is so rich, so contemporary in its emotion, exploring each tune is an experience outside time itself. I’d never heard of this particular tune, The Lone Pilgrim. If it’s not in some hymnal, it’s a… Continue Reading “The Lone Pilgrim”
Bozrah
Here’s another tune from the Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion hymnal compiled by William Walker in 1835. This is a hearty, up-tempo tune alternating between minor and major. It’s a lot of fun to play.
Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion
The hyman book called Southern Harmony, and Music Companion was compiled by William Walker in 1835. It uses a form of musical notation called shaped note, which my father, born and raised in rural southern Mississippi, learned as a child. I think these songs… Continue Reading “Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion”
Old 100th
This week’s Lenten focus is on the German composer and saintly figure, Hildegard of Bingen, so all the music this week is German. A contemporary of the famous J.S. Bach and his cousin, is Johann Gottfried Walther, best known for his many chorale preludes… Continue Reading “Old 100th”
Holy Manna
An arrangement based on the tune, Holy Manna, from Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion, compiled by William Walker and published in 1835.
Resignation
This arrangement is based on the tune, Resignation, from Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion, compiled by William Walker and published in 1835.
Sweet Rivers
Based on a hymn tune from Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion compiled by William Walker as published in 1835. (Why did my nose need to itch on the best take?!)
