“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.
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 (You Love Him, Too)
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.
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.
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.
Original Song on Ukulele
This song is from the album, “Mother Nature Sings.”
Click here for a free download.
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!
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.
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.
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!
An original lullaby for people of all ages, with lyre accompaniment.
1. I sing you, bring you
Safety and peace,
Believe and weave
Your sweetest dreams.
You sleep, I keep
You till you awaken
And see you be your
Wonderful things!
2. Your Spirit, hear It
Deep inside you,
And listen, glisten
In the Light.
You know It, show It
When you awaken
And see It, be It
Day and night!
Download Meditation Mp3
Length: About 16 minutes
A guided meditation with lyre accompaniment, “Through the Secret Door,” for
Sue Vincent’s #Writephoto Prompt, Secret.
I recommend downloading the meditation to listen at your convenience. It’s about 16 minutes long, a journey well worth the time. And thank you to everyone who takes the time, not just to listen but to benefit from your own journey through the secret door!
Mystical Strings 
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