Pronounced “Sheebeg, Sheemore,” this Irish folk tune is often attributed to Turlough O’Carolan. “Sí” means “fairy mound.” “Sí Bheag” and “Sí Mhór” are two hills in Ireland’s County Leitrim, said to be ancient burial sites.
This is a beautiful piece, whether played as an air or a waltz–as it is here, and I hope you enjoy it on zither!
We don’t know who wrote “Fairest Lord Jesus,” also called “Beautiful Savior.” However, we do know it was a German hymn entitled “Schönster Herr Jesu.” The melody is a Silesian folk song often called “Crusaders’ Hymn,”, and its authorship is also unknown. The melody and German lyrics were first printed together in 1842. It is a beautiful, relaxing melody, and I hope you enjoy listening to it on recorder and lyre!
This arrangement can be played on a lap harp that goes down to G below Middle C, and up to the G that is 2 above Middle C. In Scientific pitch notation, this is G3-G5. In other words, you need 2 octaves, starting on G below Middle C. If you would like an audio tutorial to learn this tune, please
contact me.
If I didn’t know better, I would say this song could have been written just yesterday. That’s how relevant it still is. Yet the American songwriter, Stephen Foster, especially known for his Civil War-era songs, wrote “Hard Times Come Again No More” in 1854. The song asks the fortunate to consider those less fortunate than themselves–something we would all do well to consider.
It was originally written in the key of G, making it a breeze for banjo, guitar, and fiddle players. Here I play it in C, on zither and recorder, and you’ll hear me sing 3 verses.
We all know that hard times will come again, unfortunately. Still I hope you enjoy this arrangement of Foster’s timely classic!
“Trentham” was composed by the British organist, Robert Jackson, in 1878. It is one of several musical settings for the hymn, “Breathe on Me, Breath of God.”
The lyrics were written by Edwin Hatch, also in 1878. They are based on John 20:21-22, which read, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” [King James Version (KJV)]
This is a hymn for Pentocost, but this being the coming of the Holy Spirit, it is a beautiful hymn at any time of year.
I hope you enjoy this arrangement played on alto (UK treble) recorder and zither!
One morning I awakened,
And I heard the voice of God!
“I have given you fresh coffee
And a brand-new coffee pot.
“Your breakfast is provided,
With your lunch and dinner, too,
For the love of my creation.
Yes, my child, just for you.
“You finish what you started,
Every small and larger task,
For I know what you have need of,
Even long before you ask.
“With the people whom you meet,
You are sharing what you know.
You have let me be the artist
Of the canvas that you show.
“You are living by example,
Whether times are good or tough,
Through the knowing of your Spirit
That you always have enough.
“And the baseball game this evening,
I have given for your mind,
For your rest and entertainment,
As a balanced life you find.”
So, when I lay down at nighttime,
I thank God for closing day.
As with every step I took in faith,
He lead me on my way.
And I thank Him for the coming night
And peaceful, restful sleep,
And the Oneness of my soul with God,
In Whom I live and breathe.
For He knows what I have need of,
Long before I even ask!
By His Grace and Guidance I accomplish
Each appointed task!
Original Song on Ukulele
“Country Gardens is an English folk tune that is often used in Morris Dancing. My lyre arrangement is based on piano arrangements by Percy Grainger, except I’m playing in C instead of Eb/E-flat, and not as quickly. Still, I hope you enjoy this cheerful melody!
Play or download the poem with lyre accompaniment.
What we don’t know, we cannot miss,
Except for longing deep inside.
The Music only Love provides
Brings Peace and Comfort, Joy and Bliss.
Now hear the magic of the gliss*
That lifts us to a higher place,
Where there’s no conflict we must face.
The Love we try but fail to find
Exists forever in the mind
Beyond our mortal time and space!
*Gliss, short for Glissando: Italian musical term meaning a continuous slide upward or downward between two notes.
—
This is a Decima for
Ronovan Writes Decima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 27: Bliss. This week, it’s the A rhyme line.
Will Lamertine Thompson wrote this hymn in 1880. The lyrics are based on Matthew 11:28, which reads, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
“Softly and Tenderly” is Thompson’s best known composition and has been widely translated. It has spread throughout many Christian denominations beyond its origins in the American Restoration Movement and the Churches of Christ, where Thompson was a member.
I hope you find comfort in this lyre arrangement!
This beautiful piece was composed by Anne Crosby Gaudet. She is a wonderful harpist, pianist, teacher, composer, and arranger from Canada. “Sweet Blessings” is an elementary level harp piece that’s easy and comfortable to learn and play. Anne kindly gave her permission for me to share “Sweet Blessings” on Mystical Strings! I’m playing zither (also called plucked psaltery), because the ringing metal strings are especially lovely.
Anne’s performance video can be found
here,
and her video tutorial for learning part of the piece is
here.
I used both the performance video and the tutorial to learn “Sweet Blessings” and picked out the rest by ear.
If you read sheet music, you can
purchase “Sweet Blessings” here.
I’m not affiliated with Anne or her shop. I just really enjoy hearing and playing this piece, and her teaching style is warm, accessible, encouraging, and helpful!
Even though this is a harp piece, you can use the video, tutorial, and/or sheet music to learn it on another instrument, the same way I learned it on zither. You’ll be glad you did!
Thank you, Anne, for your wonderful music and teaching time and for allowing me to share this piece!
“When the Saints Go Marching In,” often just called “The Saints” or “When the Saints,” needs no introduction. This is good, because its origins are unclear. It’s a Gospel song, an African-American spiritual, and a jazz classic, such is its versatility. I’ve known it to be a campfire song as well.
I hope you enjoy this simple lyre arrangement!
Mystical Strings 
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