Author Archives: Dr. Crystal Grimes

In the Garden #Music

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“In the Garden” is a much loved hymn, as I know from personal experience. It seems like one of those songs, hymns and Christmas carols in particular, that I was born knowing. I must have been so young when I first heard it, that the song is woven into the fiber of my childhood memory.

Although it’s a mystery when I learned the words, I vividly remember learning to play “In the Garden” on piano. It was a request from my uncle, Al, near the end of his battle with cancer. I not only learned the hymn, but recorded a cassette tape of myself playing it, along with other hymns. On our last trip to Connecticut from Pennsylvania, I was able to sing and play the song for uncle Al. It was a precious gift to him and is still a precious memory to me.

I hope you enjoy my zither arrangement of “In the Garden.” It was written by American songwriter C. Austin Miles in 1912 and is still very popular today.

A Freeing Friend #Poem

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On the school bus we did ride,
Up and down, from side to side.

The apple of my eye was she;
I flourished in her company.

Ballet slippers? I couldn’t dance,
But that was of no consequence.

Jack and the Beanstalk was our tale;
Through endless dunes we blazed a trail.

And softer than a kitten’s nose,
The sawdust rose and fell and rose.

From home to school we made our tracks,
And then one day we made a pact:

To be best friends as long as time,
And she remains within my mind.

For she is me and I am she,
Imagination! Light and free!

—
For Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #23

Divine Sunrise #Writephoto #Song

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1. The sunrise brings another day,
But mists of mind, they veil my way.
I look within and meditate
Upon the Great Eternal Flame.

2. The rising sun is in my mind,
And all the mists, I leave behind.
I seek within, that’s where I find
The rising sun, my Light Divine.

3. You rise the sun with each new day,
And all the mists You clear away.
And when I meditate and pray,
I know the Light is mine to stay.

O when I meditate and pray,
I know my Great Eternal Flame.

—
My response to Sue Vincent’s
#Writephoto Prompt, Veiled.

I composed this music on my lyre named Sunny 🙂 after reading the prompt word, veiled, and Sue’s photo description. But the lyrics were spontaneous, and I transcribed them from the recording. This is something I’ve always wanted to do, to write a song in the moment. It is improvisation in a way, but different, because I wanted the lyrics to rhyme. Please let me know what you think of the piece and the process!

Thank you to each and every one who takes the time to listen and comment! I truly appreciate it and hope you are calmed and uplifted!

A Musing Musician

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Through Summer and Autumn, all Winter and Spring,
I’m doing my dream job! I write, play and sing!

The movement of nature, from north to south pole,
Inspired by Spirit Rock keeps me in flow.

I can’t see the saffron or ivory hues,
But here in my mind creativity brews…

Where even a black hole of darkness conspires
To open my lion heart, fueling its fire!

A saxophone solo I cannot provide;
I’ve uke and guitar, plus a zither and lyre.

At peace when I meditate, hearing the Voice,
And praying reminds me I do have a choice.

I am living my dream! I’m the envy of some,
And I have everything but a steady income!

—
My response to Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #22

All Creatures/Doxology #Music #Mp3

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Here is a medley of two hymns, “All Creatures of Our God and King” and “Doxology” played on zither.

The melody of “All Creatures of Our God and King” was written by William Henry Draper and first published in 1919. It’s typically an Easter hymn, but any time is good to appreciate the wonders of nature and the thought that they, too, might praise their Creator.

Thomas Ken wrote “Doxology” in 1674. It was actually the final verse of two hymns, “Awake, my soul, and with the sun,” for worship in the morning; and “Glory to thee, my God, this night,” for evening worship. I have never heard these hymns, as far as I know. But I learned “Doxology” as a child, then played it on piano and recorder long before I played harp or zither.

I hope you enjoy my alternating arrangement of these two beautiful hymns!