Help is Wanted

MP3 - Help Is Wanted
PDF - Help is Wanted

When I sat with my wife and watched the General Women's Meeting at home and heard Sister Linda K. Burton's talk "Help is Wanted", I knew I wanted to make a song out of it. I originally had these words, which work in pretty much exactly what Sister Burton said:

Help is wanted, to raise our children strong,
Help is wanted, to move God's work along -
To the living and also to the dead
Our work here on this earth will never end.

Help is wanted, to give a gentle hand,
Help is wanted, to make us understand -
That all those lost and wand'ring on their way,
Are God's children; who need out help each day.

Help is wanted, to heed promptings, and do,
Help is wanted, to live the gospel too.
With kept cov'nants we all can humbly say
We are God's disciples; we will obey.

Now those lyrics are pretty good, but every time I sat down to write music to those words, I basically got nothing. I also got the impression that I need to turn this into a much more simplified tune which Primary children can relate to. These young souls are our hope and future. So, with that in mind, a tune immediately popped into my head literally an hour ago. I wanted to have a song where the children sing a verse, the teachers sing a verse and then everybody sings the final verse.And this is the end result:

Help is wanted, the gospel shared each day,
Help is wanted, I'll listen and obey.
I will be an example to my friends,
Showing them that Jesus is my friend.

Help is wanted, I'll show a gentle hand,
Help is wanted, I'll help you understand -
That right choices you make can pave the way
For your good in all you do and say.

Help is wanted, we'll live the gospel, true,
Help is wanted, we'll read the scriptures too,
We will pray to our Father, and to see as His
Disciples, we will always be.

I hope you like it. Please send any comments. You can always subscribe to my music offerings via "follow by email" link on the right side.

Come and See

MP3 - Come and See
PDF - Come and See

I wrote this because I have been reflecting upon the life of our Savior. This composition for piano and voice reflects His entire life. We are invited to Come, and See. I hope you enjoy it and blessed Easter to you.

See the new babe in the manger laid,
hear the great joy sung from heav'n above.
Christ is the lamb without blemish, pure,
born to redeem us all.

See the boy stand at the temple there,
teaching the learned ones of God above.
Jesus, Messiah is speaking truth,
speaking of joys untold!

Come, and see the service He gave,
see Him heal, the dead He did raise,
If I but follow in His footsteps,
His love will set me free.

See Him alone in the garden there,
praying in agony for our sakes.
See the blood flowing from within His pores,
Jesus is pleading for you and me.

See them all mock and deride Him,
crowned with branches of thorns.
Crucified, no sin committed
all for our souls, He did win.

Laid in a tomb He was placed there,
three days in silence did lay.
Then on the third day He raised up
Living Son, Savior,and King!

He will reign glorious forever
His work on this earth it will grow,
bringing souls unto salvation
bringing us home to our God!

Come and see Him from heav'n come
our eternal Savior, our friend.
Coming to earth, His creation,
claiming us all as His own!

Come and see!
Come, and see!

Enjoy the Journey

I wrote this originally for a hymn competition for the Universalist Unitarian Church but found out that the deadline has already passed. So, I finished it anyways. The hymn speaks of how life is a journey and if we embrace that and help others, we will find happiness in our journey's too.

While the words are non-Christian, I can find truth in those words from a Christian point of view. This life is indeed a journey and we should help others on their paths - to lift them up or as simple as a smile. We can make a difference in other people's lives by sharing the joy and happiness we know with others.

MP3 - Enjoy the Journey
PDF - Enjoy the Journey

Did You Think to Pray?

I had a similar unfinished piece about 10 years ago on this song with the general theme. But it was never finished and eventually abandoned. Fast forward to today and I thought of that theme and wanted to do something for a choir. The Sopranos and Tenors split on parts. The alto is sort of low, but from what I hear, they like low pieces. :)

So, the song and the theme have resurfaced. I have always loved the words and can testify that praying DOES rest the weary. It can change attitudes and make one think about the eternal aspects of life. I hope you enjoy it and welcome feedback. It was fun writing this one.

PDF - Did you Think to Pray?
MP3 - Did you Think to Pray?

Goin' Home - Each Life that Touches Ours for Good

A Social networking friend who I never met in person, but have shared many likes and discussions with - her father passed away. I thought of this arrangement almost immediately and spent the better part of the day getting it down. I am very pleased with the outcome. I hope you'll enjoy it and feel of the strong spirit that proclaims death is not the end. For you my friend, Sheila. 

22 January 2017 - received permission from IRI and owner and now have the PDF file for you to download.

PDF - Goin' Home/Each Life
MP3 - Goin' Home/Each Life

22 Jan 2017 - User requested swapping out violin for clarinet (v1c)
PDF - Goin' Home/Each Life - v1c

More Holiness Give Me

This is an arrangement I did a couple years ago, adapted with permission from the original arranger for recorder and piano. Unfortunately my recorder sound files aren't that great, so I chose an oboe to play this. Really any C instrument could play this and would be lovely. Hope you enjoy, and comments welcome.

PDF - More Holiness Give Me
MP3 - More Holiness Give Me

Eventide

I arranged this in about 2 hours. This is one of my favorite peaceful hymns that seems to invite the spirit into my soul when I need assurance. I only have the .mp3 file but may score it later if there is a need for it. I hope you enjoy it and welcome any feedback.

MP3 - Eventide