Category Archives: Lynda Lyre

“Bringing in the Sheaves” #Music

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Knowles Shaw wrote this hymn in 1874. The text is based on Psalm 126:6, which reads: “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” It’s considered an American Gospel song and Protestant Christian hymn. Although Shaw did compose music for his lyrics, the hymn is most often sung to the tune played here, composed by George Minor in 1880.

Today I play Oriole (soprano) Recorder accompanied by ukulele, then solos on zither, lyre, and double strung harp. These solo instruments are all stringed instruments with a very similar range. However, you can hear that they have very different sounds, and the double strung harp can play lovely effects and arrangements that the zither and lyre cannot.

I hope you enjoy “Bringing in the Sheaves!”

“Let the Lower Lights Be Burning” #Music

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Here’s another familiar hymn by Philip P. Bliss, “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning.” A further nod to my happy childhood days listening to record albums of songs I didn’t hear anywhere else, some of which I haven’t heard since, but have never forgotten.

Enjoy the Ocean Drum, one of Remo’s wonderful additions to the hand percussion world, and my Native-American-made deerskin drum as well. You’ll hear this soothing melody on lyre, then alto recorder accompanied by ukulele. I hope you enjoy this first of several sea-themed pieces I’ll be sharing in the coming days!

“The Sweet By-and-by” #Music

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This hymn was first published in 1868, with lyrics by S. Fillmore Bennett and music by Joseph P. Webster. It is still a popular traditional Christian hymn that appears in many modern hymnals. I’ve always found it comforting and peaceful.

Today, enjoy ukulele and viola, then compare the sounds of double strung harp, lyre, harp again, and last but not least, zither. Though these instruments are similar, they have different sound qualities. You will hear some slight buzzing in the harp recording, because I misplaced the microphone. My apologies!

Did you know? There are 98 strings in this arrangement! The harp has 23 strings on each side, for a total of 46. The lyre and zither each have 22 strings. Ukulele and viola have 4 strings each. That’s a lot of strings to tune!

I do hope you enjoy this hymn!

“Near the Cross” #Music

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Happy Easter! Yes, it’s late. But here is a popular hymn played on lyre and alto recorder, “Near the Cross.” The lyrics were written by Fanny Crosby, and the melody by William Howard Doane.

Enjoy, and I hope you had a wonderful Easter!

“Madrid” #Music

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The Spanish traditional melody, “Madrid,” has also been published as
“Seville.” It is the musical setting for the hymn, “Come, Christians,
Join to Sing.” Christian henry Bateman wrote the lyrics in the 1800’s.
However, they are a rewritten version of a hymn by William Edward
Hickson, “Join Now in Praise, and Sing,” also written in the 1800’s.
Both hymns are in the public domain in the United States. Although we
no longer need to be concerned with copyright issues, we should still
give credit where credit is due.

My arrangement of “Madrid” is played on lyre, alto recorder, and
viola. I hope you enjoy it, and wish you a happy, peaceful, and safe
Palm Sunday!

“Mantle So Green” #Music

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You may be familiar with this 19th-century Irish tune, “Mantle So Green.” Perhaps you’ve heard Sinead O’Connor’s recording. It’s a song about a woman remaining faithful to her beloved, who went off to fight in a British war.

This is a popular Celtic harp tune, and today I’m playing lyre (mine sounds like a harp), with alto recorder and viola rounding out the session, as it were.

I hope you enjoy this arrangement!

“Peace like a River” #Music

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“(I’ve Got) Peace like a River” is a much loved African-American spiritual. It compares peace to a river, joy to a fountain, and love to an ocean. With its simple, repetitive lyrics and catchy melody, it’s an easy sing-along song. In fact, I remember doing just that as a child, singing around many campfires. I even played ukulele more than once to accompany the group!

I hope you enjoy “Peace like a River” on ukulele, viola, alto recorder, and lyre!

“O Perfect Love” #Music

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This is a prayer hymn that was written for, and is often still sung at Christian wedding ceremonies. Dorothy F. Gurney wrote the lyrics in 1883 for her sister’s wedding. In 1889 Joseph Barnby composed the melody most commonly heard today.

I hope you enjoy this beautiful hymn played on Oriole (soprano) recorder and lyre! Apologies for the sneezes in the background! You know what they say: “In sickness and in health…”