Category Archives: Lynda Lyre

Send the Light #Music

Posted on by

Download Mp3

Charles H. Gabriel wrote this hymn in 1890. The melody is a tune he entitled “Mccabe.” With its march tempo and evangelical lyrics, “Send the Light” is one of the most popular missionary hymns of all time.

Personally, I marched down the church aisle as a child, singing what lyrics I knew with the rest of the congregation, during the Alabaster Offering. Alabaster is an offering specifically designated for building mission churches around the world and is participated in by many traditional Christian denominations. I don’t mind admitting that as a 3-5-year-old, it was more of a play break from the usual order of service. 🙂

As time passed, I, too, had an Alabaster Box containing whatever change I had to contribute. I put my little box inside the one shaped like a church building and marched back down the aisle to one of the 2 back pews that my parents, grandparents, siblings and I filled to capacity.

Besides the marching, the most memorable part were our pastor and a young man who played trumpets, and the 2 ladies who played piano and organ. Needless to say, the semiannual Alabaster Offering became a treat of sorts, that I still remember many years later.

I’ve come to realize that “Send the Light” is not all about money. It’s about sharing whatever you do, whatever you have (your time, talent, and treasure), and above all, whatever you are. It’s not for their conversion to your belief system, but for the love of other people. We are all God’s creations, whether we want to admit it or not. Because God loves each and every one of us equally, the same Presence within us can help us love ourselves and others as much, if we invoke the Spirit of Healing and Love to work through us.

I hope you enjoy hearing this hymn on lyre! More importantly, I pray you send your own light to those you know, those you love, and those you haven’t met yet! We are all eternally connected in the Light of God, and that will never change!

Worn Out #Writephoto #Music #Meditation

Posted on by

Download Mp3

Play or download this
Metaphysical Prayer Treatment
(also called Spiritual Mind Treatment or Affirmative Prayer) with lyre accompaniment.

I turn away from the world that surrounds me for a few moments. I leave the worn outer world and mind behind me.

Planted habits and thought patterns fall away as I traverse the stepping stones leading deep within myself.

Here, I open the doors of my ordinary mind to the Higher, Greater Truth that I Am.

Light permeates my mind, and I realize I Am One with Love, Wisdom, Creativity, Power, and Healing. Whatever I need is already here within me. I can access my Divine Attributes at any moment, simply by looking higher and deeper to the Spirit within the center of my own mind. This is my True Self.

For this realization I give thanks! I return to my daily activities renewed, refreshed, relaxed, and ready to accomplish the Divine Plan for me this day.

I let it be so. And so it is!

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

“Upon the Willows” by Brook Boddie #Music

Posted on by

“Upon the Willows” was the first piece that
Brook Boddie
composed for harp. He wrote it in memory of his mother. Here I’ve arranged it for lyre (or small harp) in the key of C, in memory of Brook. I hope you enjoy this arrangement of his beautiful musical tribute!

Here is a video of Brook Boddie playing “Upon the Willows” on a floor harp.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms #Music

Posted on by

Download Mp3

Here is a hymn that to me is also a bluegrass classic. I have heard numerous bluegrass versions, both live and on recordings, and played some myself as solos and with other musicians. In fact, the first time I remember hearing it, I was very young and attending Vacation Bible School. A husband and wife were in charge of children’s music, and we sang this with great gusto, while he played guitar and she played mandolin. Ever since then, this hymn has always brought a smile to my face and comfort to my heart. It’s fun and relatively easy to play, and while it could also be played slowly, it has a hopeful spirit.

“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” dates back to 1887. The melody, and lyrics to the refrain, were written by Anthony J. Showalter. Elisha Hoffman wrote the remaining lyrics.

My favorite verse is:
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have bless-ed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

I hope you enjoy listening to this lyre arrangement as much as I enjoy playing it!

Light of Heaven: Tribute to Brook Boddie #Song

Posted on by

Light of Heaven (You Love Him, Too)

Download Mp3

I wrote this song in memory of Brook Boddie, a wonderful harpist, composer, and arranger. I didn’t know he began playing harp in his 30’s, or that he also played piano and organ in his church. There are many things I wasn’t able to experience about this humble man, including meeting him in person. However, I recognize his loving spirit and giving, selfless, gentle soul through his music and the encouragement he shared throughout the harp community. Brook passed away on July 15, 2020, and will be forever loved. I pray his soul continues to be eternally blessed, and that God grants peace to all those Brook touched who are grieving right now.

Here is another piece, composed and played by harpist Anne Crosby Gaudet, in memory of Brook. It is called “The Sparrow.” You can find more information about both Brook’s and Anne’s music in her Youtube description links.

Light of Heaven – Lyrics

1. You brought the Light
Of Heaven to earth
Because you gave all the glory
To the Lord who gave you birth.
God blessed your soul,
And your life story told
So everyone knew
You love Him, too.

2. Heard in your music
Is profound peace and love,
Lifting the world up
To see His Kingdom come.
Humbly you showed
We are really not alone,
And everyone knew
You love Him, too.

3. Though I never met you,
I can feel in your song
All the roads you traveled
As God lead you along.
You journey still
With your soul in His Will,
Eternal and true.
You love Him, Too.

You’re going on
With your Heavenly song
And Spirit renewed.
You love Him, too.
You love Him, too.

Into the Waves #Writephoto #Poem

Posted on by

Download Mp3

Play or download the poem with lyre accompaniment.

I’m running from the rushing waves
Of angry, stormy seas.
I have no ship or lighthouse,
Just fear surrounding me.

But then a small voice whispers;
I hear above the waves,
“Peace, be still,” and strangely,
It ebbs the fear away.

The Spirit is inside me.
No, I am not alone,
No matter what my life may bring,
Wherever I may roam.

I’m heartened by the still, small voice
Of wisdom, love, and light
That guides me ever onward
Through the raging storms of life.

I’m running to the glistening waves
With courage in my soul.
The sea belongs to Spirit, too,
A thought that makes me bold.

I need no ship or lighthouse;
The Light is mine to share.
It radiates within me
As the Spirit’s loving care.

When seas are rough and ragged,
When hope cannot be found,
When minds give up and seek the Light,
Then “Peace, be still” abounds!

—
Written for Sue Vincent’s
#Writephoto Prompt, Glisten.

Peace, Be Still

Original Song on Ukulele

This song is from the album, “Mother Nature Sings.”
Click here for a free download.

Nettleton/Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing #Music

Posted on by

Download Mp3

In the United States, This popular hymn is commonly sung to the tune called “Nettleton.” Though often attributed to John Wyeth or Asahel Nettleton, its true author is unknown. Wyeth was a printer, and though Nettleton was an evangelist, it is not clear whether he composed this melody.

The lyrics were written by Robert Robinson in 1758. They were published along with the “Nettleton” melody in 1813, in “Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second.”

This is a beautiful hymn, and I hope you enjoy my lyre arrangement!

Summer Wings #Writephoto #Poem

Posted on by

Download Mp3

Play or download the poem with lyre accompaniment.

A wide Summer landscape
That stretches before,
A vista from hillsides
That promise still more.

You can’t see the promise
Through hovering haze,
But only your vision
Has narrowed the way.

For bright Summer sunshine
Can blaze through your mind
And point out the pathway
You’re trying to find.

The valley is broad,
And the hillside is great;
You realize the truth
Of your inner landscape.

Though it may be clouded
By dark mental fog,
The height and the depth
Of your Self is beyond.

There’s more to the mind
Than the mind can conceive,
A Universe giving
For you to receive.

Your journey is inward,
Eternal and vast;
By seeking it first,
What you need comes to pass.

Discover your Spirit,
Your Nature, your Right;
Ascend to the hillside,
And carry your Light.

Return to your vista
Of everyday things,
And share who you are
On your sweet Summer wings!

—
Written for Sue Vincent’s
Thursday #Writephoto Prompt, Vista.

Seed of a Dream #Writephoto

Posted on by

Download Mp3

Every soul has the seed of a dream,
Planted within by the Spirit unseen.
Let it grow into a fruit-bearing tree
Over your path of life.

Your path may be winding through heather and hills.
You might become lost in the forest at will.
But seek and you’ll find it, the path to fulfill
The dream for your tree of life.

Repeat from beginning.

Seek and you’ll find it, the path to fulfill
The dream for your tree of life.

—
A song on lyre, written in response to
Sue Vincent’s #Writephoto Prompt, Dream.

Amazing Grace #Music

Posted on by

Download Mp3

Please enjoy “Amazing Grace,” played on a lyre with nylon strings. This is why it sounds so much like a harp and is perfect for this beautiful melody, which is the traditional tune entitled “New Britain.” The words were written in 1772 by John Newton, an English poet and clergyman of the Anglican Church, from his personal conversion experience. This melody is often used in harp therapy, on its own and also with improvisations. I hope you find this lyre arrangement peaceful, relaxing, and comforting!