Category Archives: Inspirational Music

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms #Music

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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: Tribute to Brook Boddie #Song

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Light of Heaven (You Love Him, Too)

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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.

Light of Heaven – Lyrics

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.

Into the Waves #Writephoto #Poem

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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.

Peace, Be Still

Original Song on Ukulele

This song is from the album, “Mother Nature Sings.”
Click here for a free download.

Nettleton/Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing #Music

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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!

Summer Wings #Writephoto #Poem

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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.

It Is Well with My Soul #Music

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“When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

Horatio G. Spafford’s realization is as timely today as when he wrote this text in 1873. He wrote this poem after the devastating loss of his four daughters. Traveling to Europe with their mother, ahead of Spafford, their ship collided with another vessel and sank rapidly. Of Spafford’s family, only his wife, Anna, survived. This hardship came soon after the death of their 4-year-old son in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, along with the economic and property loss the family suffered due to the fire.

Philip Bliss, a friend of Spafford’s, originally named the melody “Ville du Havre,” after the lost vessel. This is possibly one of the most popular pieces Bliss composed.

If Spafford, at such a despairing time in his life, could look beyond it to the peace and safety of his own soul, then what an encouragement it is that we can choose to do the same!

I hope this zither arrangement allows the peace of your soul to flow from within you!

Seed of a Dream #Writephoto

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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.

Amazing Grace #Music

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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!

Silver Reflection #Writephoto #Song #Poem

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Enjoy the silvery sound of the zither (plucked psaltery or lap harp).

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Lyrics

1. Water reflecting the twilight,
Silvery blessings unfold.
Nature is Life,
Day into night,
Look for the Light they hold.

2. You are a silver reflection,
Shining your state of mind.
The Spirit in you
Knows every Truth.
Seek It and you will find.

3. You’re the Creator’s reflection,
Prism of peace and love.
Already here,
Nothing to fear,
For as below, so above.

4. Water reflecting the twilight,
Silvery blessings unfold.
Nature is Life,
Day into night,
You are the Light they hold.

Nature is Life,
Day into night,
You are the Light they hold.
You are the Light they hold.

Poem

Silver reflection
As below mirrors above
Truth of your being.

—
Written for
Sue Vincent’s #Writephoto Prompt, Silver.

Remember (The LOA Song)

On Ukulele, from the album
And so it Is! Vol. 1

Great Is Thy Faithfulness #Music

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Today we celebrate Father’s Day in the United States. The hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” reminds us that no matter what kind of relationship we experience with our father on earth, our Father in Heaven is ultimately our provider, our protector, and our strength throughout this lifetime and all others.

This is usually a hymn for the harvest and Thanksgiving season, but the more we give our Father-God thanks, the more we find to be thankful for!

This hymn was first published in 1923, with lyrics by Thomas Chisholm and music by William M. Runyan. It entered the public domain in the United States just last year, which means we may freely produce things like this zither arrangement. I hope you enjoy it!

Wishing all of you a blessed, happy, and peaceful Father’s Day! And dads, remember to look to the Great Provider for your own needs as well as your children’s!

More Father’s Day Blessings

The Father’s Child

Father of All (Prayer Treatment)