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. 

O Come, All Ye Faithful - Fanfare

PDF - O Come, All Ye Faithful - Fanfare
MP3 - O Come, All Ye Faithful - Fanfare

This is a tune arrangement I had for while and repurposed it. It makes a nice fanfare type of anthem, only 1:30 but is powerful to declare that Christ is born! 

Still, Still, Still

PDF - Still, Still, Still
MP3 - Still, Still, Still

The beautiful Christmas carol, Still, Still, Still arranged for Soprano and Alto. Hope you enjoy it!

11-28-2015 - I had a request to turn this into a violin solo. Here is the result. I will oblige any request (within reason) :) v1.v

PDF - Still, Still, Still - violin solo
MP3 - Still, Still, Still - violin solo

11-30-2015 - Added Cello part per request v13.vc

PDF - Still, Still, Still - Cello solo

11-30-2015 - Transposed Score and created viola solo v1.1vla

PDF - Still, Still, Still - viola score
PDF - Still, Still, Still - viola solo

12-02-2015 - Transposed Soprano and Alto score.

PDF - Still, Still, Still - transposed SA

Adam-Ondi-Ahman

MP3 - Adam-Ondi-Ahman
PDF - Adam-Ondi-Ahman


This is the old hymn, Adam-Ondi-Ahman arranged for SATB with divisi. If you like it and use it, I would love to hear about it.

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!

Though I am Young

MP3 - Though I am Young
PDF - Though I am Young

A nice flowing Primary song about how Primary children can be of service. Thanks to Michael Young for the lyrics.

Though I am young, I too can serve. My little hands and feet can help the Lord.
Though I am small, I can be strong. Building God's kingdom because I belong!
My little voice can help others obey. I know that God hears when I use it to pray.
Though I am young, I, too can serve. My little hands and feet can help the Lord.

Though I am young, still I can be a light to others that helps them to see.
Though I don't know all things to do, the Holy Spirit will help guide me through.
Though I don't stand tall, I still stand for right. For I know that courage is better than height.

Though I am young, still I can be a light to others that helps them to see.