Category Archives: Inspirational Music

Fall Letter to God #Poem #Music

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“Wings of Autumn,” original song on zither. After the poem is the ukulele version with lyrics.

Download Zither Mp3

Fall Letter to God

Dear God,

Thank you for the changing seasons!

I’m really glad the pollen count goes down in Fall,
or does it?
We really don’t know anymore,
but you do!
I’m also glad for that!

I’m so grateful for the ability,
the opportunity,
the decision,
and the courage to talk to you!

There are some things I need to say.
I dare not discuss them with my fellow humans,
because everyone is so darn touchy nowadays!
They would think I was talking about them,
when really I’m talking about myself!

Nevertheless, Thy will be done!
Every now and then,
at least once in a blue moon,
would it be too much trouble
to have a day when I’m not sizzling inside like hot lava,
feeling angry at you-know-who (not you, the human I live with),
or worse, making him angry with me
by simply expressing an opinion
that doesn’t match his?

You know
it’s not just the current world crisis
making us this way.
It’s been like this
our entire marriage!
I say that
as if we’ve been married a long time.
But it’s only been 18 months!
And every month,
every week,
every day,
sometimes every hour,
it gets worse and worse!

Is it true what he seems to think,
that marriage means always
and
forever
saying
and
doing
what your partner wants,
just because he thinks it’s best?
And that
doing things this way
promotes harmony
in the relationship?

You’re heaps wiser
than either of us
will ever be!
So, I know
that you know!
Please, God!
Help me know the truth!

Am I insane?
Unreasonable?
Crazy?
Delusional?
Wrong?
Ungrateful?
Argumentative?
And all the other things
he claims?
Am I
really
that
bad?

If I am,
why doesn’t he leave?
After all, he’s the one
with all the money,
whereas I have none!

So, if I were in his place,
living with someone
I thought was so terrible,
I would leave!
Not sit around
complaining about it!

Please, God!
I need help!
And I know
you already know
what I have need of
before I ask!

I call upon your
love,
healing,
wisdom,
creativity,
and humor
(Or is it humour?),
and whatever else you grant me,
not to change anyone else!
But to change me
as you see fit!
Make me like a babbling brook,
always moving merrily along,
never getting stuck or stagnant,
so that I may live a life,
regardless of the people in it,
that is pleasing
to
you
and
you
alone!

Thank you, God,
for your time
and Almighty attention
to this matter!

Yours Truly,

Crystal

—
My response to Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #39, Yours Truly.

Wings of Autumn on Ukulele

Enjoy the song with lyrics
here.

Scotland the Brave #Music

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This is a traditional Highland Bagpipe tune. I played it on a small, but still loud!, practice bagpipe many years ago, as well as on pennywhistle and soprano recorder. Here it is on zither, an instrument you’re probably familiar with if you’ve been following my blog for any length of time. It’s also called a plucked psaltery or lap harp. I hope you enjoy this fun tune!

“Little Boat” DSE #8 #Music

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I wrote “Little Boat” last month in response to one of
Sue Vincent’s
weekly #Writephoto prompts. If you haven’t heard the original lyre version, including lyrics, you can find it
here.

Today I’m playing the song on two instruments, melody on zither and accompaniment on lyre. This is the eighth in my series of
double strung experiments.

When I started, I didn’t plan on a series of them, maybe just one or two, to see whether, and if so how, I would handle having two sets of strings to play, with one set for each hand. Well, It’s been a success, and I’ve enjoyed arranging pieces to demonstrate the possibilities offered by this unique stringing. And the series was born!

When I do get a double strung harp at some point, I will record these pieces again, so we can all experience the real McCoy! Until then, I hope you’re enjoying these pieces in which the lyre and zither play at the same time!

Thank you for reading, listening, and leaving your comments and feedback!

Bon voyage!

“Kumbaya” DSE #7 #Music

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“Kumbaya,” also spelled “Kum Ba Ya,” is a well-known campfire song. I know I spent many happy Saturday nights around a campfire singing it as a child. Even those who couldn’t sing managed to catch on and make an effort.

No one really knows the song’s origin; in fact, there’s been some controversy surrounding it, as
this article
points out. To me it was, and still is, a common song that I, personally, have used to bring people together.

This is number seven in my
double strung experiments.
You will hear the melody played on zither, which has steel strings, and harmony on the lyre with softer, nylon strings. Notes of the melody and harmony echo each other at times. This is one of the many fascinating effects available on a double strung harp. As usual, it’s easier heard than explained, so I ask that you have a listen, and enjoy this peaceful arrangement!

Loch Lomand #Music

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Even if you’re not of Scottish descent, you’ve probably heard the folk song, “Loch Lomand.” There is also an Irish variant sung to the same tune, but with different lyrics, entitled “Red Is the Rose.” It’s a beautiful and recognizable melody, and I hope you enjoy hearing it on lyre!

“The Little Horses” DSE #6 #Music

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Also known as “All the Pretty Little Horses,” the origin of this American folk song is unknown. This arrangement is based on one by Aaron Copland.

This is the sixth in my series of
double strung experiments,
playing lyre and zither at the same time. You will hear the accompaniment weaving around the melody, without stopping it. Having two separate sets of strings, one for each hand, makes this possible.

I hope you enjoy this haunting lullaby!

Cleansing Fountain #Music

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This American folk melody is one of several musical settings for the hymn, “There is a Fountain,” also known by its full first line, “There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood.” The lyrics were written by William Cowper in 1772. I hope you enjoy this peaceful lyre arrangement!

A Simple Gift #Poem

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Play or download the poem, accompanied by lyre, one of the oldest known stringed instruments.

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When you feel broken, you can mend.
When you have fallen, take these wings.
They carry you on weightless strings,
For music is a trusted friend.

As notes and words and voices blend,
Your soul is free and mind is clear.
Your heart refuses now to fear.
In time your body knows the wealth
Of perfect love and joyous health
From Spirit’s music given here.

—
This is a Décima for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 22 (BLEND) This week, it’s the A rhyme line.

I’ve been reading some of the responses for weeks and finally decided to try writing one! I really enjoyed it!

This bass line and chord progression are the same ones I used in
Song of the Bluefin Tuna,
but different accompaniment and rhythm change the mood. 🙂

The Water Is Wide #Music

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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!

Song of the Bluefin Tuna #Poem

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Play or download the poem with zither accompaniment.

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I opened up a can one day
And heard a chilling song,
Lamenting how our human wants
Have done the tuna wrong.

It sang, “You fish and fish for me,
When you have had enough,
For something you call sushi
And that other money stuff.

“I keep the balance in the sea
Atop the chain of food.
I dive with such quicksilver speed,
Fins flashing as I move.

“I’m not a goldfish in a bowl;
The ocean is my home.
I live on up to 40 years,
In breezy mists to roam.

“So, when you eat your tuna,
Because I know you will,
Take time to give a little thanks,
A moment to be still.

“The red rock desert of your heart
Is where it all begins.
Expand yours like my ocean home
Of harmony within.

“Take what you need and nothing more,
And let the others live.
Though we may be endangered still,
You understand the gift.”

I listened to the tuna’s song,
And then I bowed my head
To thank the Lord for blessing me
With tuna fish and bread.

—
For Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #36, Endangered Species,
with bluefin tuna facts from
World Wildlife Fund.