Thanksgiving

The words are taken from a poem by Lizelia Augusta Jenkins Moorer, an African American woman who was born immediately after the Civil War and died in 1936 at the age of 68 years old. She lived through some tumultuous times and her poetry often refelcted that. This poem is one of Thanksgiving. I contemplated picking and choosing verses to include in my hymn, but never felt it was right to censure verses, so I include all 6 verses here.


Let us give thanks to God above,
Thanks for expressions of His love,
Seen in the book of nature, grand
Taught by His love on every hand.

Let us be thankful in our hearts,
Thankful for all the truth imparts,
For the religion of our Lord,
All that is taught us in His word.

Let us be thankful for a land,
That will for such religion stand;
One that protects it by the law,
One that before it stands in awe.

Thankful for all things let us be,
Though there be woes and misery;
Lessons they bring us for our good-
Later 'twill all be understood.

Thankful for peace o'er land and sea,
Thankful for signs of liberty,
Thankful for homes, for life and health,
Pleasure and plenty, fame and wealth.

Thankful for friends and loved ones, too,
Thankful for all things, good and true,
Thankful for harvest in the fall,
Thankful to Him who gave it all.

MP3: Thanksgiving
PDF: Thanksgiving

Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling

I also love this old hymn - who am I fooling - I love all of them! :) This is arranged for woman's solo and a c instrument. I chose a recorder since the two of them sound so lovely together.

MP3: Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling
PDF: Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

I love this folk hymn. I arranged it for piano solo

MP3: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
PDF: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

E'en so Lord Jesus, Quickly Come

This is inspired by Paul Manz's etherial anthem titled the same, which is taken from the book of Revelations in the New Testament. I changed some words for rhyming purposes.

Peace to you and grace from Him who freed us from our sins.

Who loved us all and shed His blood that our should He did win.

Sing Holy, holy to our Lord, our God, Almighty King

who was, and is, and is to come, our praises we will bring.

Oh rejoice, all saints that dwell, rejoice on earth below.

for Christ is coming, coming soon; the Savior we all know.

E'en so Lord, Jesus quickly come and night shall be no more.,

and every tongue confess Him now, our Savior we adore.

MP3: E'en so Lord Jesus, Quickly Come

PDF: E'en so Lord Jesus, Quickly Come

When in the Garden

I wrote this in just a few days. It is a Sacrament hymn that ties the Sacrament to the covenants we made at baptism. I don't believe there is another hymn that talks of this.

When in the garden, Jesus gasped,

this cup, Oh Father let it pass

but if not so, I'll drink it all

and suffer what is to befall.

The bread and water symbols of

our Savior, His atoning love.

His body pieced, His blood was spilled,

the law of justice was fulfilled.

We cov'nant with the Lord this day,

remembering the promise made;

immersed and cleansed in water clear,

to have His Spirit always here.

Our Savior suffered all of this

so we may reap eternal bliss.

He did this so we can return

to live forever; His love earned.

MP3: When in the Garden

PDF: When in the Garden

Awake Oh My Soul

I was reading in the scriptures at 2 Nephi 4:28, "Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul." when this tune came into my head. This hymn is the result of that. It is a joyous/bouncy hymn that hopefully expresses the scripture well.

Awake Oh my soul, awake!
No longer drop in my sin.
The Lord's forgiveness we now plead,
A new life we begin.

Awake! Oh my soul!

Awake! Oh my soul!

Awake! now awake!

Rejoice! Oh my heart, rejoice!

Give place no more for my woes.

Break free from shackles we all bear,

the enemy of my soul.

Rejoice! Oh my heart!

Rejoice! Oh my heart!

Rejoice! now rejoice!

MP3: Awake Oh My Soul

PDF: Awake Oh My Soul

Still, Still, Still

I wrote many iterations of this over the years; from a women's vocal trio to men's quartet, but for some reason I never wrote this as a solo. This is one of my favorite Christmas carols, a sweet Austrian carol. I wrote this for piano and a C instrument. to play it.

MP3: Still, Still, Still

PDF: Still, Still, Still

Prayer

The text from this hymn originates from the poet Eliza M. Hikok (1933) and was one of the favorite  poems quoted by President Ezra Taft Benson (1956). I set the words to a plaintive hymn of - prayer.

I know not by what methods rare,

but this I know, God answers prayer.

I know that He has given His word,

which tells me prayer is always heard

and will be answered, soon or late.

And so I pray and calmly wait.

I know not if the blessings sought,

will come in just the way I thought;

but leave my prayers with Him alone,

whose will is wiser than my own,

assured that He will grant my quest,

or send some answer far more blessed.

MP3: Prayer

PDF: Prayer

What is this Thing That Men Call Death?

This is taken from a poem by President Gordon B. Hinckley. I set it as a plaintive hymn.

What is this thing that men call death,
This quiet passing in the night?
'Tis not the end, but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.

O God, touch thou my aching heart,
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change,
With recompense for vict'ry won.
The gift of him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.

MP3: What is this thing that men call death

PDF: What is this thing that men call death

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

When I sang with The Tabernacle Choir of Temple Square, I had the privilege of singing many beautiful compositions and arrangements. When I retired from the choir (released from the calling of a musical missionary after serving for 20 years, or age 60 - whichever occurs first), I was sad to not sing that wonderful music, but was elated that some of that music is being included in the new Hymns for Home and Church. 

This piano arrangement is the result of one of those beautifully arranged hymns. My Shepherd Will Supply My Needs is a fresh variation of the 23rd Psalm.

I hope it conveys peace to you.

My Shepherd will supply my need

Jehovah is His name. 

In pastures fresh He makes me feed 

beside the living stream. 

He brings my wand’ring spirit back 

when I forsake His ways 

And leads me for His mercy’s sake 

in paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death,

Thy presence is my stay;

One word of Thy supporting breath

drives all my fears away.

Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,

doth still my table spread.

My cup with blessings overflows;

Thine oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God

attend me all my days.

O may Thy house be mine abode

and all my work be praise!

There would I find a settled rest

while others go and come—

No more a stranger nor a guest,

but like a child at home.

PDF: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

MP3: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

I am Jesus' Little Lamb

I was looking through some lyrics for something completely different when this almost jumped off the page at me and almost instantaneously this tune came to my mind. I am grateful that I was able to capture it so very quickly. It is a sweet hymn that a choir could do marvelous things with. I hope you do enjoy it.

MP3 - I am Jesus' Little Lamb
PDF - I am Jesus' Little Lamb

I am Jesus' little lamb, ever glad at heart I am;
for my Shepherd gently guides me, knows my need, and well provides me,
loves me ev'ry day the same, even calls me by my name.

Day by day, at home, away, Jesus is my Staff and Stay.
When I hunger, Jesus feeds me, into pleasant pastures leads me;
When I thirst, He bids me go where the quiet waters flow.

Who so happy as I am, even now the Shepherd's lamb?
And when my short life is ended, by His angel host attended,
He shall fold me to His breast, there within His arms to rest.

Abide with Me!

MP3 - Abide with Me!
PDF - Abide with Me!

I've had this tune in my files for many many years. Every time i tried to come up with lyrics that were suitable for it, I came up blank - until last week. After thinking about the piece, a very distinct impression told me, "turn to page 166 of the Hymnbook". I did, and the words and emotions came pouring out. I decided to turn it from a standard hymn into a simple SATB choir piece. The words are right from "Abide with Me!" but the tune is mine. I hope you like it.

Crown Him with Many Crowns

MP3 - Crown Him with Many Crowns
PDF - Crown Him with Many Crowns

This is an Easter Hymn that has some of the lyrics of the original and semi-famous Easter hymn. I wanted to make it a bit more relevant to LDS so I had my good friend, Michael Young come up with some alternate lyrics. And, like a jigsaw puzzle, we pieced it together into a cohesive and beautiful message of joy and hope. I hope you enjoy it.

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne. 
Hark! how the heaven'ly anthem drowns all music but its own. 
Awake my soul and sing of Him who died for me, 
and hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity. 

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began, 
all ye washed clean by His dear blood, crown Him the Son of Man; 
who ev'ry grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
and take and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest. 

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side. 
He bore the weight of ev'ry sin and now is glorified. 
Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o'er the grave 
and rose the third day from the tomb, all mankind He can save. 

Crown Him with boundless joy when He again descends. 
He shall appear in crimson robes and darkness meets its end. 
A thousand years of peace His great work we'll complete, 
all serving with our King of Kings, we'll worship at His feet. 

Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord

MP3 - Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord
PDF - Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord

This is a Men's quartet arrangement of "Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord". It is meant to sung a cappella. Since the hymn is only one verse, I felt I needed to add an additional verse to make it more of an anthem. The result below is taken from Matt 8:11:28-30. I hope you like it.

Come unto Him, ye burdened souls
and He will give thee rest.
Take His yoke upon thee and learn of Him,
thy soul shall find eternal rest.
He bids, come unto Him and follow in His path.
He speaks, "My yoke is easy; My burden also light." 

O Thou Whose Glory Fills the Heav'ns

MP3 - O Thou Whose Glory Fills the Heav'ns
PDF - O Thou Whose Glory Fills the Heav'ns

I was looking through some old poetry, and more specifically one that talks about the new year and happened upon a poem titled "New Year's Day" by Charles Moir. In his poem, there are 8-10 verses so I picked and chose which verses to include and changed a word here and there to make it a bit more relevant. There are precious few hymns that talk about the New Year and I thought this would make a nice hymn. I hope you enjoy it, and Happy New Year to you!

O Thou whose glory fills the heav'ns whose bounty clothes the earth. 
To Thee a hymn of thanks we raise for blessings from our birth, 
For that untiring love Thou dost, from day to day renew, 
O may it on our hearts descend like heaven-distilled dew. 

While ent'ring on another year our cares on Thee we cast, 
beseeching aid in days to come which cheered us through the past. 
That still the freedom may be ours to kneel down in Thy sight, 
and worship Thee at end of day, and in the morning light. 

How needful, then to train our thoughts, and fan the heavn'ly flame 
of faith, in the believing heart, triumph o'er sin and shame 
and holding by Thy word, Thou hast for love and guidance giv'n, 
pass through this world, obedient, true candidates for heav'n.

All My Heart, This Night Rejoices

MP3 - All My Heart, This Night Rejoices
PDF - All My Heart, This Night Rejoices

Here is a little known, but lovely Christmas carol for you to enjoy. It is scored for SATB and would be most effective as a totally a capella piece. I hope you enjoy and Merry Christmas!

A Cradle Hymn

MP3 - A Cradle Hymn
PDF - A Cradle Hymn

I was looking through some old Christmas poems and happened upon this one by the famous Isaac Watts. I'm not sure if this was ever set to music or not, but when I started to read the words, the melody was following along. After some playing around with modulations, this is the result. I hope you like it.

Hush! my dear, lie still and slumber, 
Holy angels guard thy bed! 
Heav'nly blessings without number 
gently falling on Thy head. 

Soft and easy is thy cradle: 
Coarse and hard thy Savior lay, 
When His birthplace was a stable 
and His softest bed was hay. 

See the kinder shepherds round Him, 
Telling wonders from the sky! 
Where they sought Him, there they found Him, 
With His Virgin Mother by. 

How much better thou'rt attended 
then the Son of God could be, 
when from heaven He descended 
and became a child like Thee!

A Savior Is Born

MP3 - A Savior Is Born
PDF - A Savior Is Born

Here is a hymn that I collaborated with Susan Noyes Anderson that is in keeping with the church's 2015 Theme, #ASavioIsBorn.

One quiet night in Bethlehem, One rough and lonely manger bed, 
One star as bright as breaking day, One baby nestled in the hay. 
Sing out with joy on Christmas morn; Ring out the bells and sound the horn. 
Christ is born: A Savior is born. 

One burst of angels from on high, One humble prayer from shepherds nigh, 
One dream for magi of their King, One babe to end all suffering. 
Sing out with joy on Christmas morn; Ring out the bells and sound the horn. 
Christ is born: A Savior is born. 

One miracle to save mankind, One shining hope for all to find, 
One healing hand to ease the pain, One life to give, our lives to gain. 
Sing out with joy on Christmas morn; Ring out the bells and sound the horn. 
Christ is born: A Savior is born. 

The Legacy of Heroes

MP3 - The Legacy of Heroes
PDF - The Legacy of Heroes

As I was perusing some poetry, I happened upon this one. And almost instantaneously, a melody emerged. I got permission to set Susan Noyes Anderson's stirring poem to music. I wanted it to reflect a solemn feel, so one could feel the words as they are sung. I thank Susan for her gift and for the privilege of setting one of her poems to music. This would make a wonderful Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day or the like occasion. I hope you enjoy it.

1. Today we celebrate our troops, whose valor must be praised. 
Our nation is the legacy of heroes born and raised. 

2. From sea to shining sea they choose to honor and protect 
The laws and land that we revere, the freedoms we respect. 

3. The sacrifices of these men and women stir our hearts, 
Invoking all the gratitude their selflessness imparts. 

4. We celebrate each one of them and thank their fam'lies too. 
For rising to our country's call with courage known by few. 

5. May we be true to all who serve, and hold in memory, 
Each father, mother, daughter, son, whose blood has kept us free. 

The Brightness of the Gospel Plan

MP3 - The Brightness of the Gospel Plan
PDF - The Brightness of the Gospel Plan

I welcome another collaborator, Dixie Lea Henrie to the ldshappymusic "family". I had this tune for over two years and turned it over to her for inspiration. What it became is a great missionary hymn that would sound great sung by missionaries. :) I hope you enjoy it and, as always I welcome feedback.

1. The brightness of the gospel plan will ever light the way,
    To seeking hearts, and wand'ring souls who may have gone astray.
    The call is ours in latter days, to leave no soul behind,
    But be a beacon in the dark that searching hearts may find.

2. Be mindful of the low in heart, endeavoring to cope,
    Give comfort, help and charity, encouragement and hope.
    And love thy neighbor as thyself for truly, who is he?
    A precious child of royal birth, a brother unto thee.

3. We'll share the friendship, share the joy, love's ensign taking hold,
    For every nation, kindred tongue, we'll bring into the fold.
    We'll share the plan of happiness, God's children one and all.
    The field is ripe, the harvest nigh, let each one heed the call.

4. May we be servants unto thee, be faithful, honest, true,
    That others who may see our light, accept the gospel too.
   Oh Father may we be thy hands, our meager light be Thine,

   And spread thy word o'er all the earth, thy gospel light to shine.