Here is another traditional melody often used in harp therapy sessions. It is a Scottish folk song, first published in 1906. Though its lyrics are not the happiest, as they tell the story of a lost or unhappy love affair, the melody is calming and well-known. I hope you enjoy hearing it played on lyre!
Category Archives: Lynda Lyre
“Shenandoah” DSE #5 #Music
You’re probably familiar with the beautiful traditional tune, “Shenandoah.” Though its exact origin is unknown, it may have originated with French Canadian fur traders. Some versions are also linked to cavalry men, mountain men, riverboat men, and soldiers on both sides of the Civil War. Whatever its origins, “Shenandoah” is one of the most recognizable American folk songs.
In this arrangement, I play the melody on my 22-string zither (also called a lap harp or plucked psaltery) and harmony on my 22-string lyre. One instrument for each hand allows free access to all 22 strings.
I’ve heard some beautiful harp arrangements of this song. However, unless it is a large floor harp with 34 strings or more, the hands may run into each other while playing. This is eliminated when each hand has its own full set of strings.
“Shenandoah” is the fifth in my series of
double strung experiments,
preparing for a double strung harp. The harp is the same idea, except it is designed and built with two rows of strings on a single instrument. This means that eventually, I won’t need to hold two instruments on my lap, not to mention trying to tune them in perfect unison!
I hope you enjoy this arrangement, and that you’re having a safe and happy Labor Day!
Battle Hymn of the Republic #Music
In the United States, this Civil War era hymn is known as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” In other countries, it is better known as “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.” The abolitionist Julia Ward Howe wrote the lyrics in 1861, to the tune “John Brown’s Body.” Howe is my maiden name, and I’ve always wondered if she was a distant ancestor of mine. I don’t know, but I do hope you enjoy hearing this hymn played on lyre!
Have a happy, healthy, and safe Labor Day weekend!
Serenity #Writephoto #Poem
Play or download this serene Sonnet with lyre accompaniment.
We wonder if serenity is real.
Can it be found in ever changing life,
Despite the negativity we feel,
Beneath the rolling boil of strain and strife?
Serenity is really in plain view,
A Purloined Letter*, right before our eyes.
So simple that we think it can’t be true
And close enough to touch, but in disguise.
Serenity is deep within the mind,
At center where the heart and soul are one.
As nature does, it’s something we can find,
Returning through the gate from which we’ve come.
Our birth right, we have only to un-learn
The concept that serenity is earned.
*Purloined Letter: Reference to the story of the same name by Edgar Allan Poe.
—
My response to Sue Vincent’s
Thursday #Writephoto Prompt, Serenity.
“Scarborough Fair” DSE #4 #Music
Here is the traditional English ballad, “Scarborough Fair,” played with melody on lyre, and harmony on zither. This is the fourth but not the final of my attempts to play lyre and zither at the same time, in preparation for playing a double strung harp.
As I mentioned
last week,
tuning these instruments in exact unison is very difficult, mostly due to the difference in string materials. If you have a very sensitive ear for music, I apologize for the tuning discrepancies. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy hearing the possibilities offered by having two sets of strings!
A Trio of Poems #Music #Poem
Play or download these 3 short poems with lyre accompaniment.
Honesty
Full honesty
Is always best.
But it must be
A human test
Or bluffed disguise
When tempers rise
In view of truth.
Light
Terra-cotta
Clay of nature.
Earth and water
Form the future.
We are the same,
Uniquely made,
Designed in Light.
Peace
Morning glories
Blooming in peace
Tell us stories
Of what can be.
Red velvet slate,
Despite mistakes.
The soul is whole.
—
I wrote these 3
Ha’sonnets
for Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #35.
I didn’t use the paint chip words as colors, because as a blind person, I know them as things instead. Also, only my last poem really follows the “future” theme. But I did follow Linda’s example and write 3 poems using the angel card words from the challenge. Finally, for those of you who haven’t heard my lyre yet, please have a listen. Hope you enjoy! ❤
What Kind of Tokens? #Writephoto #Music
Play or download this song with lyre accompaniment.
1. What kind of tokens do you leave?
What’s your special mark,
And what will be your legacy?
Every moment you share,
Though you may not be aware.
Consider: What kind of tokens do you leave throughout your life?
2. What kind of tokens do you share?
What do they remember?
Will it be your love and care?
Every moment you live,
There is something that you give.
Consider: What kind of tokens do you share throughout your life?
3. What kind of tokens do you hold?
Are they beneficial,
Or the thoughts that leave you cold?
Every moment you exist,
Life is made of consciousness.
Consider: What kind of tokens do you hold throughout your life?
Every moment you exist,
Life is made of consciousness.
Consider: What kind of tokens do you hold throughout your life?
Merry-go-round
On ukulele
—
For Sue Vincent’s
Thursday #Writephoto Prompt, Tokens.
“All Through the Night” Double Strung Experiment 3 #Music
This is a traditional Welsh lullaby, often used in harp therapy, whether for children or to calm someone of any age.
You will hear the melody played on lyre and left hand accompaniment played on zither. The second time through, both hands move up an octave.
This is the third of my
double strung experiments.
I’m testing my ability to arrange for, and play on two rows of identically tuned strings, in preparation for a double strung harp.
I’ve learned that if I can successfully play two separate instruments at the same time, then I’ll surely be able to play one instrument that just happens to have two rows of strings!
I have logistical problems now, that I won’t have with a double strung harp. Namely, holding two instruments is difficult, since both are designed to be held on your lap. Uh, my lap is taken up by just holding the zither, let alone adding the lyre, which is larger and wider.
Also, I currently have to twist my left hand into an unnatural position to reach the second instrument. This won’t be necessary on a double strung harp, where both rows of strings are stationary and on a vertical plane.
Finally, the harp will have a lap bar, and if that’s not enough, there is a shoulder strap as well. This eliminates any trouble holding or balancing the instrument on your lap.
Tuning is a cumbersome task now. It’s easy to tune the lyre, which has nylon strings like a harp, and I always do that first. However, tuning the zither’s wire strings to match the lyre is frustrating.
The real double strung harp will have all nylon strings, and that fact, along with the natural resonance of the instrument, will make tuning both rows of strings in unison much easier.
Recording is another frustration. You can probably hear that the lyre and zither aren’t at the same volume level in these experiments. That’s because one instrument is closer to the microphone than the other. This won’t be an issue with a double strung harp. The rows of strings are very close together, and the microphone will be in front of the harp, rather than to the side as it physically needs to be now. So, the harp will record with better balanced audio.
I’m also doing these experiments because of what to me is a very large financial investment in a double strung harp! I wanted to find out if the benefits it brings to my work are worth the cost. My conclusion is that, yes, they are, and the harp will be a welcome and valuable addition to the instruments I use in songwriting, accompaniment, meditation, poetry, improvisation, and other calming and inspirational music!
Once again, I thank you for reading! If you have any questions, comments, or feedback on these two-instrument experiments or double strung harps, please do share! Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy listening to these arrangements!
Inevitable Impact #Poem
Play or download the poem with lyre accompaniment.
Often a teacher will hear after years
How they helped a student with knowledge and cheer.
While parents are parenting, thankless it seems,
But they give their little ones great self-esteem.
It’s not only people enjoying their work,
But every soul living a life on this earth
Who leaves unique marks on our wonderful world:
You’re having an impact as moments unfurl,
Inevitable, choices changing our world!
—
67 words for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt,
Impact!
“Suo Gan” Double Strung Experiment 2 #Music
“Suo Gan” is a traditional Welsh lullaby, first published in print around 1800.
This is the second of my
double strung experiments,
playing lyre and zither at the same time, getting ready for a double strung harp.
You can hear many places in this arrangement where both sets of strings (or instruments, in this case) play in unison. First, I play the piece with melody on lyre, and then on zither.
I hope you enjoy listening!
Mystical Strings 
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