Jesus Knows My Heart

MP3 - Jesus Knows My Heart
PDF - Jesus Knows My Heart

I had TWO Primary tunes and gave both to my collaborator, Sue Anderson. I told her to pick one and see what inspiration struck. She came up with lyrics for BOTH in no time flat. This one is a sweet song for children to sing that talks about how Jesus knows our hearts.

Ev'ry time I kneel to pray, I can talk to Jesus.
He can hear the words I say, and He knows my heart.
Through the night and ev'ry day, Jesus is my friend.
When I'm sad or all alone, blessings He will send.
Ev'ry time I kneel to pray, I can talk to Jesus,
He can hear the words I say, and He calms my heart.

Sabbath Day

MP3 - Sabbath Day
PDF - Sabbath Day

I had TWO Primary tunes and gave both to my collaborator, Sue Anderson. I told her to pick one and see what inspiration struck. She came up with lyrics for BOTH in no time flat. This one talks of how a young child can keep the Sabbath Day holy and is patterned from the church's latest push to honor the Sabbath. I hope you like it!

Sabbath Day: Keep it holy, with a heart meek and lowly.
Jesus lives: Think of Him all day long.
Don't forget what He gave you. He was born just to save you.
Follow Him, and to Him you will belong.

Read the words of the Savior. Write a note; do a favor.
Be a friend to a neighbor in need.
Go to church, ev'ry meeting. Share a smile and a greeting.
Walk His way, both in spirit and in deed.

Raise your voice and remember with a song sweet and tender
ev'ry blessing that Sunday imparts.
Say a prayer for another; love your sister and brother.
Worship Him; be like Jesus in your hearts.

Daughters of God

MP3 - Daughters of God
PDF - Daughters of God

Recording of our Wonderful Young Women and their leaders singing this in Sacrament Meeting

This is a piece for Young Women to sing which reflects the 2016 Mutual Theme, "... press forward with a steadfastness in Christ.." I hope you like it. Thanks to one of my collaborators, Sue Anderson for the wonderful and stirring words.

Daughters of God, we vowed before our birth 
to spread His love and light across the earth. 
Now we have come, this mission to fulfill, 
forgetting self to do the Father's will. 

Daughters of God, when shadows hide the way, 
we look to One whose brightness sparked the day. 
Seeking His word, we take His faithful hand 
and all is well; beside us He will stand. 

Chorus 
Press forward, feasting on the words of Christ. 
Hope is His gift, and Love His only price. 

Daughters of God, this world is torn and tossed. 
On holy ground, our souls are found, not lost. 
Planting our feet on gospel sod secure, 
we grow in strength and know we can endure. 

Daughters of God, we shine steadfast and true. 
The pathway home is open to our view. 
With spirit eyes, we prize the Father's plan. 
His love is ours, and we will be His hands. 

Chorus 

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. 

My New Best Friend

MP3 - My New Best Friend
PDF - My New Best Friend

This is a special piece for me. My eldest grandson is turning 8 in November and he is very excited about his upcoming baptism and confirmation. Since there is no way that my wife and I can attend his special event (we live in Utah and he lives in Pennsylvania), I thought the next best thing to do would be to write a song for him. I asked his mother to "interview" him about his baptism. Here is what he responded:

he is looking forward to having the holy ghost as a new best friend, and that he's excited to be the newest member of church. He said he is also excited to "be like mom and dad" and be a member of the church.

So, I started penning some lyrics in a haphazard way (without even having a clue what the tune would be) - This was last Thursday evening. I turned my lyrics over to one of my collaborators who took my chaos and turned it into a wonderful song and has all the points that my grandson made. This was last Friday evening.

As I read through the words that evening, a tune started to formulate in my head. I wanted it to be a happy song because of the excitement of my grandson for this event.

I hope you like it and welcome any comments. And thanks again to Sue Anderson for her gift in turning chaotic words into a wonderful chronological song. We will miss you, Aidan but will be there in spirit. :)

1. This birthday is a special one, I'm finally turning eight!

    My baptism is coming soon, and I can hardly wait!

    The Bishop wants to talk to me about that special day.

    When I'm confirmed, my new best friend will help me to obey.

2, I'll go beneath the water clear, washed clean from head to toe.

    and rise up with my spirit pure, as freshly fallen snow.

    Then I'll be ready to receive a gift I cannot see:

    the Holy Ghost, my new best friend to guide and comfort me.

3. While others place their hands upon my head, I will be still.

    "Receive the Holy Ghost", they'll say, and joyfully, I will!
    At last I'll be a member of the Church like Mom and Dad.
    The Spirit will be with me, and that makes MY spirit glad!

A Child's Testimony

MP3 - A Child's Testimony
PDF - A Child's Testimony

This was another one of those songs that popped into my head and then my collaborator came up with words almost instantly. It was meant to be. Thanks to Sue Anderson for the wonderful lyrics to go with this tune. Appropriate for Primary children. I hope you enjoy it. If you like it, please leave feedback!

Sometimes when I feel afraid and alone I remember the things that I know. 
I have a Father in Heaven who loves me, and I lived with Him long ago. 
He said that I could be like Him one day. I came to earth to learn how. 
God gave me parents to show me the way and to help Him watch over me now. 

I have a Brother in Heaven as well. Jesus loves me, and I love Him too. 
He gave His life for me; He made things right for me I know His teachings are true. 
I can be faithful and I can be strong. I have His goodness in me. 
I have a family to help me along and to love me for eternity. 

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.