Category Archives: Inspirational Music

“‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” #Music

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“‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” is based on Isaiah 12:2, which reads:

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
–(KJV)

Louisa M. R. Stead wrote the lyrics, and William J. Kirkpatrick wrote the melody to this hymn, first published in 1882. Though it’s still popular, I don’t remember singing it in church as a child. I do, however, vividly recall listening to a record album that included this hymn. (Thanks, Pop-pop Clyde!) I played and replayed it, because I liked how the melody flowed. And that was long before I played any instruments myself!

Speaking of instruments, there’s quite a merry folk band today! You’re listening to ukulele, viola, 2 wooden shakers (one of myrtlewood and one from a pear branch) alto recorder, and double strung harp.

I hope you enjoy this arrangement!

Welsh Lullabies #Music

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Length: About 7 minutes

Here are 2 Welsh lullabies that were part of my Double Strung Experiment series. Click the title links below to hear the lyre-and-zither versions:
All Through the Night
Suo Gan

Today I play the lullabies on Coda EDC Flute and double strung harp. The recording begins and ends with my Egg of Creation shaker, a natural, dried and painted emu egg filled with glass beads. However, I don’t think this recording does the shaker justice–the sound is very soft, calming, and beautiful. It’s also great for offering pain relief through sound healing. In addition, 2 Harmony Ball Earth Spheres play near the end of the lullabies.

I hope you find this meditative, relaxing, and peaceful!

“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!

“Little Boat” #Meditation #Music

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Download “Little Boat” Double Strung Harp Meditation Mp3

Length: About 5 minutes

Today we revisit “Little Boat,” a song I wrote last year and tested with lyre and zither together. You can find that mp3 and a link to the lyrics
here.

This version is a longer, more meditative instrumental on double strung harp. But with a twist. You also hear both chambers of the Coda EDC Flute, a cowrie shell shaker, and the Koshi Aqua (water) chime.

In replaying the pieces from my lyre-and-zither Double Strung Experiment series, I wanted to showcase the true double strung harp without boring you. So, I added a few other instruments.

I hope you enjoy this arrangement! I think it turned out pretty well, myself! Please share any comments, questions, or other feedback you may have, even simply whether you liked or disliked the piece! Thanks for listening!

“Heartsong” #Music

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Happy Mother’s Day to those who are mothers and those who have one! ❤

I wrote “Heartsong” in 2016. You can find the ukulele version with lyrics
here.

Today I play it as a comforting, relaxing piece on double strung harp. I hope you enjoy it, and have a blessed Mother’s Day!

Lullaby/Brahms Medley Revisited #Music

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Download “Lullaby/Brahms Medley” Double Strung Harp Mp3

I wrote “Lullaby of the Ages” on lyre last year. As I considered purchasing a double strung harp, I kept thinking the piece would be a wonderful demonstration of the effects possible on double strung that cannot be played on a “normal” harp, lyre, or zither with one continuous row of strings. I tested this by playing lyre and zither at the same time, and it was as I thought. You can listen to that
here.

The familiar lullaby composed by Johannes Brahms was another piece I tested in this way. That audio is
here
if you haven’t already heard the arrangement.

At the end of the series with lyre and zither, I said I would revisit these pieces with the harp. That time is now! So, here are my original, “Lullaby of the Ages,” and the Brahms lullaby played on an honest-to-goodness double strung harp!

I hope you enjoy this medley as much as I love playing and hearing it!

“Las Estaciones” (The Seasons) #Music

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Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

I began studying Spanish during the 1997-98 school year, when I was 12. “Las Estaciones” (The Seasons) is the first song I ever wrote, in Spanish or otherwise. The original was on keyboard, with a salsa beat. It has lyrics, but a cold is keeping me from singing today. This arrangement on ukulele and alto recorder sounds more like bluegrass, but it’s a fun song. I hope you enjoy this blast from the past!

Flutter #Poem

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Play or download this poem with musical accompaniment.

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Flutter
Thoughts taking wing
Released from their cocoon
May they ripple outward for good
Transform
The negative to positive
Productive in their time
Free to take wing
Flutter!

—-
A Butterfly Cinquain written for Eugi’s Weekly Prompt, Flutter:

https://amanpan.com/2021/04/29/eugis-weekly-prompt-flutter-april-29-2021/

Reading accompanied by double strung harp and a Harmony Ball musical pendant.

“Our God, Our Help in Ages Past” #Music

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Isaac Watts wrote this beloved hymn in 1708. The text is based on Psalm 90. The melody is “St. Anne” by William Croft. In some Christian hymnals, the first line is changed to “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” and some of the original 9 stanzas are omitted. However, it is still a popular hymn in both Christian and Jewish music.

I hope you enjoy this arrangement, played on double strung harp and Oriole (soprano) recorder!

Grounded #Decima #Poem

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Play or download this poem with musical accompaniment.

Download “Grounded” Mp3

A time for rest it’s time to take,
To ground in oneness with the ground.
Connections reconnected, found.
Awaken now, and be awake!

Meet all your needs for meeting’s sake,
And listen with a listening ear
To heart-felt breath and heartbeat clear.
Be mindful of your Mind inside,
The thinking thoughts that make your life;
With inner wisdom, wisely hear.

—
A musical Decima written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 55: (GROUND) in the B rhyme line.

The instruments are double strung harp, Rhythm Rock shaker, and alto recorder.