A while back I first posted about this song–lyrics by my sister, Rev. Lucy Lee Jones and music by me–and the media was a solo recording by a friend of mine. The above video is that same song but sung by a church choir. The text isn’t necessarily “religious,” but it has a spiritual and philosophical message that makes it appropriate to be sung in a church setting. The choir did a great job and seem to enjoy singing the tune.
I finally wrote down what I play for the accompaniment! I’ve written far too many pieces where I never wrote down my part, just the parts for the other instruments or voices. I’m trying to get some of that finally written down.
The song (which can be a solo or a unison choir piece) with its fully written out accompaniment for piano can be downloaded from Sheet Music Direct and Sheet Music Plus.
Cate Colgan has been videoing Rev. Kim’s sermons and, recently, has started videoing the choir when they do a piece of mine, for which I’m am very grateful. I’m so lucky to get to work with these folks. They deserve to be heard and acknowledged. They’re always game to tackle anything, including my stuff.
Below is the text of the anthem they’re singing in this video.
Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning Text: Bishop Reginald Heber, 1783-1826; modified: HKJ Music: Hilton Kean Jones
1. Hail, the blest morn when the great Mediator Down from the mansions of glory descends; Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger, Lo! for his guard the bright angels attend.
CHORUS: Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, Dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid; Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
2. Cold on the cradle the dewdrops are shining; Low lies Christ’s head with the beasts of the stall. Angels adore Christ in slumber reclining, Lover and Teacher and Savior of all.
CHORUS
3. Shall we not give Christ, in costly devotion Odors of Edom and off’rings divine, Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?
CHORUS
4. Vainly we offer each ample oblation, Vainly with gifts would we favor secure. Richer by far is the heart’s adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
The lyrics to the above song were written by my sister, Lucy Lee JONES (one of the two Joneses in the blog post title) and I (the other Jones) wrote the music. Lucy has already written several other lyrics that I’m working on setting to music. This coming Sunday, my choir at Lakewood and Trinity UCC, will be doing it as a unison anthem. The choir at the church Lucy attends in Kona, Hawaii will hopefully also be doing it soon. Lucy is a retired UMC pastor and also a retired pyschology professor.
Your can hear a recording of the tune at https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/lift-your-hearts-new-mix. It’s sung by William Scull (scullsound@aol.com). Bill did a terrific job. This is the second tune of mine he’s recorded. I’m very appreciative of his work. I recommend him highly to anyone who needs demos of their music!
That’s me on the accompaniment. Yes, I do love country music. Where I was born (pronounced “barn”) and raised, the southern tip of Illinois where it meets Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri, Johnny Cash was “pop” music.
A song for a wedding, civil union, or partnership blessing. Words by Rev. Lucy Lee Jones, Ph.D., tune by William Walker in his Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, harmonized and arranged by Hilton Kean Jones. This video is the piano accompaniment. The vocal part is displayed in split screen. I hope to get a vocal demo of this recorded eventually. For now…you gotta sing that part! 🙂
KOL MISHP’CHOT HAAHDAHMAH Composed by Hilton Kean Jones ref: Gen 12:1-3; Jer 31:1 for SATB chorus w/accompaniment commissioned by Congregation Scharrai Zedek underwritten by B. Terry and Leslie Aidman
Another instrumental rendition of an SATB choral work, words and music by me. In this video the picture (me playing) is within the picture of the score which tracks with the music. Usually, it’s the other way around. #music
Our move is finally over and I’ve got my office (and my mind) more or less tidy enough to start back to work. The first project was to finish this anthem/song/whatever…
I’d love to get a grant that would pay the musicians, conductor, and studio to make a recording of the couple dozen anthems (hymns) I’ve written, but I really don’t know where to even apply for such a thing. My stuff’s too commercial and, doubly damned, it’s religious. Not promising for grants.
Until such a utopian future, I’ll have to satisfy myself with computerized orchestral demos, like this one. The score gives the words, so you’ll have to use your imagination.
Listen free at soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/then-ill-know-fm. I’m writing a set of songs (words & music) open to either a spiritual or a secular interpretation. I asked a friend (scullsound@aol.com ) to record a demo for me. I think he did a super job! I recommend his services highly!
Here’s a video of the music score for COMPASSION (“Just as a Nursing Mother”) synced with an instrumental recording. Someday…someday, we’ll all be able to sing together again and I’ll be able to make a recording of the words being sung. Until then, it’s up to your imagination.To see the words more clearly, be sure to take advantage of the icon on the video that lets you make it full screen.
If you’d like to print out a copy of the hymn to play at home, here’s a link to a PDF of it: COMPASSION HYMN – Score. You’re welcome to print it out for you own use at home.
Here’s the text:
REFRAIN
Just as a nursing mother feeds
The growing child upon her breast,
The soul sustaining way of Christ
Gives solace, succor, life refreshed.
VERSE 1
And yet, today, their spirits starve
They want to grow and thrive in truth.
They know not what it is or where
It’s found that healing hearts produce.
REFRAIN
Just as a nursing mother …
VERSE 2
And sadly, faith is often seen
As offered in a selfish way.
It’s offered with a hidden catch:
Salvation giv’n but you must pay.
REFRAIN
Just as a nursing mother …
VERSE 3
It is no wonder we are shy
Of telling of Christ’s love content.
But, we must gently share our lives
For we have found soul’s hunger quenched.
REFRAIN
Just as a nursing mother…
Note: COMPASSION is the tune name. Hymns have tune names that are used in a specific index in the back of hymnals. “Just as a Nursing Mother” is the first line of the hymn. There is a different, specific index just for first lines of hymns. There are other indexes, such as the metric index. The metric scheme of this hymn is 8.8.8.8.D which is four lines iambic tetrameter, doubled.
Below is an earlier hymn I wrote based on a sermon of the Rev. Kim Wells. I’ve used two different musical settings for those lyrics, one the Irish tune, “Down by the Sally Gardens,” the other an original anthem. (I think I like the “Sally Gardens” setting better for congregational singing!) But, here’s just my lyrics:
I find the thoughts contained in Rev. Wells’ sermon inspirational and providing novel thoughts and perspectives.
