Friday 29 April 2016

When All Thy Mercies, O my God


Today's hymn can be downloaded here. More information can be found here and here. Please leave a comment or a suggestion below. Thank you and God Bless!


When all thy mercies, O my God,
my rising soul surveys,
transported with the view, I'm lost
in wonder, love and praise.

Thy Providence my life sustained,
and all my wants redressed,
while in the silent womb I lay,
and hung upon the breast.

To all my weak complaints and cries
thy mercy lent an ear,
ere yet my feeble thoughts had learned
to form themselves in prayer.

Unnumbered comforts to my soul
thy tender care bestowed,
before my infant heart conceived
from whom those comforts flowed.

When in the slippery paths of youth
with heedless steps I ran,
thine arm unseen conveyed me safe,
and led me up to man.

Through hidden dangers, toils, and deaths,
it gently cleared my way;
and through the pleasing snares of vice,
more to be feared than they.

O how shall words with equal warmth
the gratitude declare,
that glows within my ravished heart?
but thou canst read it there.

Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss
hath made my cup run o'er;
and, in a kind and faithful Friend,
hath doubled all my store.

Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
my daily thanks employ;
nor is the last a cheerful heart
that tastes those gifts with joy.

When worn with sickness, oft hast thou
with health renewed my face;
and, when in sins and sorrows sunk,
revived my soul with grace.

Through every period of my life
thy goodness I'll pursue
and after death, in distant worlds,
the glorious theme renew.

When nature fails, and day and night
divide thy works no more,
my ever grateful heart, O Lord,
thy mercy shall adore.

Through all eternity to thee
a joyful song I'll raise;
for, oh, eternity's too short
to utter all thy praise!














Thursday 28 April 2016

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn was written by William Croft and the words by Isaac Watts. For more information look here and here. Please leave a comment or suggestion below. Thank you and God Bless!


1. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.

2. Under the shadow of thy throne,
still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God,
to endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages, in thy sight,
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night,
before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

6. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while life shall last,
and our eternal home.










Wednesday 27 April 2016

His Loving-Kindness / Awake, my soul, to joyful lays

This hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn was written by William Caldwell and the words by Samuel Medley in 1782. For more information, look here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!


Awake, my soul, to joyful lays*,
And sing thy great Redeemer’s praise;
He justly claims a song for me,
His loving-kindness, oh, how free!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness, oh, how free!

He saw me ruined in the fall,
Yet loved me notwithstanding all;
He saved me from my lost estate,
His loving-kindness, oh, how great!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness, oh, how great!

Though num’rous hosts of mighty foes,
Though earth and hell my way oppose,
He safely leads my soul along,
His loving-kindness, oh, how strong!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness, oh, how strong!

When trouble like a gloomy cloud,
Has gathered thick and thundered loud,
He near my soul has always stood,
His loving-kindness, oh, how good!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness, oh, how good!

Soon I shall pass the gloomy vale,
Soon all my mortal pow’rs must fail;
Oh, may my last expiring breath
His loving-kindness sing in death.
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness sing in death.

Then let me mount and soar away
To the bright world of endless day;
And sing with raptures and surprise,
His loving-kindness in the skies.
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness in the skies.







Tuesday 26 April 2016

Come, Thou Almighty King

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. Felice De Giardini wrote this hymn in 1769. For more information, look here, here and here. Please feel to leave a comment or suggestion below. Thank you and God Bless!


Come, Thou almighty King,
Help us Thy Name to sing, help us to praise!
Father all glorious, o’er all victorious,
Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days!

Jesus, our Lord, arise,
Scatter our enemies, and make them fall;
Let Thine almighty aid our sure defense be made,
Souls on Thee be stayed; Lord, hear our call.

Come, Thou incarnate Word,
Gird on Thy mighty sword, our prayer attend!
Come, and Thy people bless, and give Thy Word success,
Spirit of holiness, on us descend!

Come, holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear in this glad hour;
Thou Who almighty art, now rule in every heart,
And ne’er from us depart, Spirit of pow’r!

To Thee, great One in Three,
Eternal praises be, hence, evermore;
Thy sov’reign majesty may we in glory see,
And to eternity love and adore!







Monday 25 April 2016

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This is a Christian hymn of Dutch origin written in 1597 by Adrianus Valerius as "Wilt heden nu treden" to celebrate the Dutch victory over Spanish forces in the Battle of Turnhout. It was originally set to a Dutch folk tune. For more information, look here, here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion below. Thank you and God Bless!

Lyrics

1. We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens, and hastens his will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to his name;
He forgets not his own.

2. Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side;
All glory be thine!

3. We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised!
O Lord, make us free!





















Friday 22 April 2016

O Worship The King

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn was written by Robert Grant in 1833. For more information, look here, here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion below. Thank you and God Bless!





Thursday 21 April 2016

Love Divine

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. The words of this hymn was written by  Charles Wesley (1747) and the music was written by John Zundel. For more information look here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion below. Thank you and God Bless.





Wednesday 20 April 2016

For The Beauty of The Earth

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn was written by Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1864). For more information, look here and here. Please feel free to comment or give any suggestions. Thank you and God Bless!

Original text of 1864:
For the beauty of the earth, 
 For the beauty of the skies,
For the Love which from our birth 
 Over and around us lies:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This our Sacrifice of Praise.
For the beauty of each hour 
 Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower, 
 Sun and moon and stars of light:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This our Sacrifice of Praise.
For the joy of ear and eye, 
 For the heart and brain's delight,
For the mystic harmony 
 Linking sense to sound and sight:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This our Sacrifice of Praise.
For the joy of human love, 
 Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above; 
 For all gentle thoughts and mild:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This our Sacrifice of Praise.
For each perfect Gift of Thine 
 To our race so freely given,
Graces human and Divine, 
 Flowers of earth, and buds of heaven:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This our Sacrifice of Praise.
For Thy Bride that evermore 
 Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore 
 This Pure Sacrifice of Love:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This our Sacrifice of Praise.
For Thy Martyrs' crown of light, 
 For Thy Prophets' eagle eye,
For Thy bold Confessors' might, 
 For the lips of Infancy:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This our Sacrifice of Praise.
For Thy Virgins' robes of snow, 
 For Thy Maiden Mother mild,
For Thyself, with hearts aglow, 
 Jesu, Victim undefiled,
Offer we at Thine own Shrine
Thyself, sweet Sacrament Divine






Tuesday 19 April 2016

Ode to Joy

Today's piece "Ode to Joy" theme is written by Beethoven based on Schiller's poem, "An die Freude". For more information look here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion below. Thanks. God Bless!

"An die Freude""Ode to Joy"
Freude, schöner Götterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!
Deine Zauber binden wieder
Was die Mode streng geteilt*;
Alle Menschen werden Brüder*
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

Wem der große Wurf gelungen
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein;
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen
Mische seinen Jubel ein!
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele
Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!
Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!

Freude trinken alle Wesen
An den Brüsten der Natur;
Alle Guten, alle Bösen
Folgen ihrer Rosenspur.
Küsse gab sie uns und Reben,
Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben
und der Cherub steht vor Gott.

Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen
Durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan
Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn,
Freudig, wie ein Held zum siegen.

Seid umschlungen, Millionen!
Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt!
Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt
Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen.
Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen?
Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt?
Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt!
Über Sternen muß er wohnen.
Joy, beautiful spark of divinity,
Daughter from Elysium,
We enter, drunk with fire,
Heavenly, thy sanctuary!
Your magics join again
What custom strictly divided;*
All people become brothers,*
Where your gentle wing abides.

Who has succeeded in the great attempt,
To be a friend's friend,
Whoever has won a lovely woman,
Add his to the jubilation!
Indeed, who calls at least one soul
Theirs upon this world!
And whoever never managed, shall steal himself
Weeping away from this union.

All creatures drink of joy
At nature's breast.
Just and unjust
Alike taste of her gift;
She gave us kisses and the fruit of the vine,
A tried friend to the end.
[Even] the worm has been granted sensuality,
And the cherub stands before God!

Gladly, as His heavenly bodies fly
On their courses through the heavens,
Thus, brothers, you should run your race,
As a hero going to conquest.

You millions, I embrace you.
This kiss is for all the world!
Brothers, above the starry canopy
There must dwell a loving Father.
Do you fall in worship, you millions?
World, do you know your creator?
Seek him in the heavens;
Above the stars must He dwell.






Monday 18 April 2016

Happy Birthday song in Alpha Notes

This song is a must have in every musicians repetoire can be downloaded here. This famous song is said to be composed by sisters Patty and Mildred J. Hill in 1893. The sisters used "Good Morning to All" as a song that young children would find easy to sing. More information can be found here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion below. Thank you and God Bless!





Friday 15 April 2016

Michael Row The Boat Ashore

Welcome! Today's popular Alpha Notes song can be found here. "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore" (also called "Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore", "Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore", or "Michael, Row That Gospel Boat") is an African-American spiritual first noted during the American Civil War at St. Helena Island, one of the Sea Islands of South Carolina. The best-known recording was released in 1960 by the U.S. folk band The Highwaymen; that version briefly reached number-one hit status as a single.

It was sung by former slaves whose owners had abandoned the island before the Union navy arrived to enforce a blockade. Charles Pickard Ware was an abolitionist and Harvard graduate who had come to supervise the plantations on St. Helena Island from 1862 to 1865, and he wrote down the song in music notation as he heard the freedmen sing it. Ware's cousin William Francis Allen reported in 1863 that the former slaves sang the song as they rowed him in a boat across Station Creek.

The song was first published in 1867 in Slave Songs of the United States by Allen, Ware, and Lucy McKim Garrison. Folk musician and educator Tony Saletan rediscovered it in 1954 in a library copy of that book. The song is cataloged as Roud Folk Song Index No. 11975.

The version of "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore" that is widely known today was adapted by Boston folksinger and teacher Tony Saletan, who taught it to Pete Seeger in 1954. Saletan, however, never recorded it. Seeger taught it to the Weavers, who performed it at their Christmas Eve 1955 post-blacklist reunion concert. A recording of that performance was released in 1957 on an album titled The Weavers on Tour. In the same year, folksinger Bob Gibson included it on his Carnegie Concert album. The Weavers included an arrangement in The Weavers' Song Book, published in 1960. Similarly, Seeger included it in his 1961 songbook, American Favorite Ballads, with an attribution to Saletan. The American folk quintet the Highwaymen had a #1 hit in 1961 on both the pop and easy listening charts in the U.S. with their version, under the simpler title of "Michael", recorded and released in 1960. The Highwaymen's arrangement reached #1 for three weeks on Top 40 radio station WABC in New York City in August 1961, and for two weeks in September 1961 on Billboard's Top 40 nationally, remaining in the top ten into October. This recording also went to #1 in the United Kingdom. Billboard ranked the record as the No. 3 song of 1961.




















Thursday 14 April 2016

Farther On, a Shape Note Hymn

Today's song can be downloaded here. This song is a little-known, beautiful old Shape-Note hymn in the Sacred Harp tradition. For more information, look here and here. Enjoy and don't let the music stop! God Bless!

As we travel through the desert
Storms beset us on our way
But beyond the River Jordan
Lies a field of endless days

(chorus)
Farther on still go farther
Count the mile stones one by one
Jesus will forsake you never
It is better farther on

Oh my brother are you weary
Of the roughness of the road
Does your strength begin to fail you
Let the Savior bare your load

Chorus

Jesus, Jesus will go with you.
He will lead you to the throne.
He who dyed his garments for you,
and the winepress trod alone.

Chorus

At my grave will you be singing
Though you weep for one that’s gone
Singing as we once did singing
It is better farther on

Chorus







Wednesday 13 April 2016

Happiness is the Lord

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn was written by Ira F. Stanphill in 1968. It's based on Psalm 144:15 "Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD."

Author is Ira F. Stanphill who was an Assemblies of God pastor.  He also sang and wrote gospel songs.  By the time he was 10 years old he was playing many instrument: Piano, ukulele, organ, and accordion.  He was writing songs by the time he was 17 as well as working at revival meetings, and singing at various church meetings/gatherings.  He worked as a singing evangelist.  He was born in New Mexico in 1914 and died in 1993.

 Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless! Enjoy!

Lyrics: 
Happiness is to know the Savior
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior
Happinesss is the Lord

Happiness is a new creation
Jesus in me in close relation
Having a part in His salvation
Happiness is the Lord

Real joy is mine
No matter if teardrops start,
I've found the secret --
It's Jesus in my heart!

Happiness is to be forgiven
Living the life that worth the living
Taking a trip that leads to heaven
Happiness is the Lord, Happiness is the Lord
Happiness is the Lord!



                                   

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Love was When

Today's Christian Song can be downloaded here. This song was written by Don Wyrtzen in 1989 for the youth musical "What's it all about, anyhow?" More information on this song can be found here and here. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!



Monday 11 April 2016

Lord, I want to be a Christian

Today's American spiritual song can be downloaded here. It was likely composed in 1750s Virginia by African-American slaves exposed to the teaching of evangelist Samuel Davies. More information about this song can be found here and here. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!





Friday 8 April 2016

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Today's little hymn can downloaded here. This hymn originated in India. More information can be found here, here and here.  Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!





Thursday 7 April 2016

The Happy Wanderer

Welcome! Today's Alpha Notes version of this song can be found here. It's original text was written by Florenz Friedrich Sigismund and the present tune was composed by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller. More information can be found here. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!






















Wednesday 6 April 2016

Short'nin' Bread

Welcome! Today's song in Alpha Notes can be found here. It was written by James Whitcomb Riley in 1900 which was thought of a plantation song. The first version is below:

Fotch dat dough fum the kitchin-shed—
Rake de coals out hot an' red—
Putt on de oven an' putt on de led,—
Mammy's gwineter cook som short'nin' bread.

Verse
When corn plantin' done come roun' ;
Blackbird own de whole plowed groun';
Corn is de grain as I've hearn said ;
Dat's de blackbird's short'nin' bread;


E.C. Perrow published the first folk version of this song in 1915, which he collected from East Tennessee in 1912 with the chorus below: 



Mammy's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin',
Mammy's little baby loves short'nin' bread


For more information, please look here. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!



Tuesday 5 April 2016

Piano Chord Chart with Alpha Notes

Today I present this piano chord chart (download here) just in case there are those out there struggling with learning and remembering how to play chords to accompany the songs and hymns I have and will present on this blog. For more chords without the Alpha Notes look here. I hope this helps. This link will be for a piano keyboard diagram.Please leave your comments and thoughts and suggestions in the comments below. Thanks. Keep making music and God Bless!




Monday 4 April 2016

A Crown of Thorns

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn was written by  Ira F. Stanphill. The song reminds us that Jesus’ death on the cross was a humble death. It was a torturous death, completely for sinners. After the lyrics, below, you can listen to the song being sung. More information can be found here. Please feel free to make a comment or suggestion below. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!

Lyrics

There was no crown for Him of silver or of gold
There was no diadem for Him to hold.
But blood adorned His brow,
And proud its stain He bore,
And sinners gave to Him the crown He wore.

CHORUS
A rugged cross became His throne
His kingdom was in hearts alone
He wrote His love in crimson red
And wore the thorns upon His head.

He did not reign upon a throne of ivory
But died upon the cross of Calvary.
For sinners there He counted all He owned but loss
And He surveyed His kingdom from a cross.

No purple robe He wore,
His bleeding wounds to hide
But stripes upon His back He wore with pride.
And from the wounds there flowed a crimson,
cleansing stream
That was a cover for the soul unclean



Friday 1 April 2016

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn was written by Charles Wesley in 1739. More information can be found here, here and here. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!