“Suo Gan” is a traditional Welsh lullaby, first published in print around 1800.
This is the second of my double strung experiments,
playing lyre and zither at the same time, getting ready for a double strung harp.
You can hear many places in this arrangement where both sets of strings (or instruments, in this case) play in unison. First, I play the piece with melody on lyre, and then on zither.
I vividly remember playing piano and singing “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” when I was in my teens. It was one of my favorite hymns to sing, and I didn’t know until recently that it was written in 1905. Clearly, it made no difference to me, or perhaps it did, since like many hymns and traditional tunes, it has endured for so long. The lyrics were written by Civilla D. Martin, and the music was composed by Charles H. Gabriel. If that name sounds familiar, you may remember “Send the Light,”
which Gabriel also composed.
Today I hope you enjoy this lyre arrangement of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow!”
1. My body is a little boat
That sails the raging seas,
Where illness, tension, pain and stress
Can get the best of me.
But Spirit guides my little boat
To everything I need.
2. My mind, it is a little boat
That sails a clouded sky.
When darkness falls, I see my fears
That vanish in the Light.
And Spirit guides my little boat
Through every stormy night.
3. My soul, it is a little boat
That sails eternally.
When I forget in trials deep,
To live my destiny,
The Spirit guides my little boat,
And I return to peace.
Yesterday I had every intention of creating and submitting a (hopefully musical) entry for the Weekly Photo Prompt from Sue at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo.
It’s become such an inspiration and positive routine for me that I start looking forward to it on Tuesday!
Well, as the saying goes, “Crystal plans, God laughs!” I was hit with a migraine last night that did not let up, didn’t sleep well, and then awoke to find the migraine turned to a full-blown thing, nausea and all. I’ll spare you the details, except to say that even walking and eating were extremely difficult. I do have chronic pain of other kinds, every day, but don’t get migraines like that very often. Suffice it to say that when I do, it is not fun! In fact, it’s debilitating!
This ruined my day and other things I had planned, ruined my husband’s plans, and had us worried for a while. I can still feel dull pounding (Is there really such a thing?) in my temples, but I bring you “The Arran Boat (Song)” for a reason.
The reason is harp therapy, or zither therapy, in this case. This traditional Scottish tune, first published in the 1880s, is often used as a calming, grounding piece. I’d been meaning to learn it for some time, and started practicing and arranging it a few days ago. This evening, after the pain subsided enough to think, I picked up little Ripply,
my 2-3 LB. zither/lap harp, and played this piece while I was laying down. On my back with my head propped on pillows and my knees up, I propped the zither against my thighs. I played the piece a few times before recording it and was surprised, though I shouldn’t have been, to find how comforting it was.
I share “The Arran Boat” or “Highland Boat Song” with you now in hopes that it will calm, comfort, and ground you as well!
“The Skye Boat Song” is a traditional Scottish air, often sung as a lullaby or waltz. The lyrics tell of the journey of “Bonnie Prince Charlie” (Charles Edward Stuart) from Benbecula to the Aisle of Skye, as he evaded capture by government troops after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. To this day, “over the sea to Skye” is a popular line used in tourism.
This traditional melody is often played by pipers (bagpipers, that is), pipe bands, whistlers, and harpers of many musical skill levels. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote alternate lyrics around 1885, as he didn’t think the journey of “Bonnie Prince Charlie” fit this calming melody. I tend to agree, but since I’m not singing here, I hope you enjoy this lovely melody played on lyre!
“Wiegenlied” (Lullaby or Cradle Song) was written by Johannes Brahms and first published in 1868. You probably know the melody, but stay tuned!
This arrangement is an experiment, in which I play the lyre and zither at the same time, in real-time. My left hand plays the bass notes, or accompaniment, on lyre, and my right hand plays the melody on zither.
Why 2 instruments?
Because I’m proving that if and when I’m able to acquire a double strung harp, I will indeed be able to play it!
A double strung harp has 2 parallel rows of strings that are typically (but not always) tuned the same. Having 2 rows of strings gives each hand more options for accompaniment. The hands don’t run into each other in more wide-spread arrangements, because each hand has its own separate row of strings.
Double strung harps also open up a world of effects that cannot be played on a single strung (regular) harp, lyre, or zither. You can double the melody, or, as I do here, play melody and accompaniment in the same octave. This is much easier heard than explained!
In this arrangement, I first play a standard accompaniment on lyre. I.e. the left hand plays bass notes below the right hand.
The second time through, I play the lyre accompaniment up an octave, with my right hand on zither, playing the melody in the same octave. Essentially this means the melody and accompaniment overlap and sometimes play the same notes at the same time. You can understand why this cannot be done on only one set of strings.
Finally, you’ll hear the zither arrangement with bass and melody.
If you’ve read this far, I thank you! If your head is spinning, I apologize and simply ask that you listen to the music and hear just a little of what can be done on a double strung instrument. It’s fascinating!
In 1873 beloved American hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, dictated the lyrics of “Blessed Assurance.” Phoebe Knapp composed the music that brings “Aunt Fanny’s” comforting words into hymnals, homes, and hearts to this day.
I hope you enjoy hearing “Blessed Assurance” played on lyre!
When reality is an illusion,
And you’re fretting and full of confusion…
Simply take a deep breath,
Go deep into yourself
Where the Light gives you calm and conclusions!
I wrote this song 4 years ago. It was inspired by an inflatable flamingo my parents had in their pool, and something my nephew said about hiding sins. It has nothing to do with this week’s photo, but just the word “fantasy” in Sue Vincent’s Thursday #Writephoto Prompt, Fantasy.
This is the closest thing I’ve had to a hit song so far. It was much requested when I performed at nursing homes, rehab centers, etc, and a few listeners would sing the refrain! What an honor for a songwriter! 🙂
“The Nightingale” is a very popular piece by harpist and composer Deborah Henson-Conant.
Written in memory of her mother, this piece is included in Deborah’s symphonic theater experience, “Invention and Alchemy.” You can find many beautiful solo harp, harp and vocal, and chamber music performances on Youtube. As far as I know, this is the first performance of “The Nightingale” on zither. I hope you enjoy it, and also take some time to click over and enjoy Deborah Henson-Conant’s many wonderful videos as well!
Mystical Strings 
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