Category Archives: Zither

Guardian Spirit #Writephoto #Song

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Guardian Spirit of rocks and the sea,
Is there a Spirit for me?
Offering safety that’s caring and kind,
Guidance and peace of mind?

Guardian Spirit, Highest of All,
Catching me when I fall;
Guiding my journey on life’s stormy seas,
Finding the peace I seek.

Guardian Spirit of cliffs bold and steep,
Nature is wondrous to see.
Everything comes from the Lifeforce of All,
Whether it’s great or small.

This is my Spirit, a miracle too;
This is my Nature True.
Guardian Spirit of seen and unseen,
You are the Spirit in me.

[Music]

This is my Spirit, a miracle too;
This is my Nature True.
Guardian Spirit of seen and unseen,
You are the Spirit in me.

Infinite Spirit and Source of all things,
You are the Spirit in me.
Closer than close every moment I breathe,
You are the Spirit in me.

Guardian Spirit in me.

***
Played on zither (also called plucked psaltery or lap harp) and written in response to
Sue Vincent’s #Writephoto prompt, Guardian.

I can’t see Sue’s photos, but she is kind enough to describe them. Her descriptions and the word prompt speak to the mind’s eye, my imagination. I am a Metaphysician by nature as well as profession, and the prompt always inspires me. Thank you, Sue!

Rippling Cascade #Writephoto #Music #Poem

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Poem and musical meditation for
Sue Vincent’s #Writephoto prompt, Cascade.

I play the meditation on zither (also called a plucked psaltery or lap harp). Improvisation in the Lydian mode, for those who want to know. 🙂 More importantly, Ripply is the zither’s name, so it was the natural (read: only) choice for this meditation. Please feel free to download and share the mp3!

Rippling Cascade

Water ripples, water flows,
Though we can’t see where it goes.
From the hallowed hidden falls
Back into the Source of All.

Let your body be at ease.
Leave your manic mind in peace.
Safe from rushing here and there,
Now releasing every care.

Feel the rippling water soft,
Taking all the edges off.
Ragged-rough to round and smooth,
Let it cradle, let it soothe.

All the tension you have held
Fades away and gently melts.
You surrender every stress,
Giving thanks for needed rest.

In your mind you find a place
Where the water fills the space.
Deep, renewing, healing womb,
This is your creative room.

All your passions, dreams and play
Come alive again today.
They are not gone; they are not lost.
They are yours, Love pays the cost.

Let the water take your fears,
Loneliness and every tear.
Give your doubts and questions up,
Rippling Spirit fills your cup.

Water comes and water goes,
Urging things to die, or grow.
If there’s something you must leave,
Let it go, and then receive.

For unto you the water comes
To show you where you’re really from:
Made of Spirit more than bone,
Always with you, not alone.

And this body that you wear?
Water is its substance fair.
So let the rippling changes be;
Your Essence: Truth, Eternal, Free!

Water ripples, water flows,
Though we can’t see where it goes.
From the hallowed hidden falls
Back into the Source of All.

Bunessan/Morning Has Broken #Music #Mp3

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“Bunessan” is a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune. In the United States at least, it is better known as the melody of the hymns “Morning Has Broken” and “Child in a Manger.” The 1931 lyrics of “Morning Has Broken” are still under copyright, but we’re free to play “Bunessan” to our hearts’ (and zither’s!) content. Enjoy!

Hope Medley #Music #Mp3

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This hopeful medley on zither contains
Hatikvah (The Hope)
and
Whispering Hope.

You can find their histories and lyrics at the links above. May this arrangement bring you hope!

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
–Emily Dickinson

How Great Thou Art #Music #Mp3

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Continuing to share nature themed hymns, here is “How Great Thou Art,” played on zither. The music is a traditional Swedish melody. An 1885 poem by Carl Boberg became the lyrics, originally written in Swedish and later translated into German and Russian. As well-known as the English translation has become, it wasn’t translated until 1925, with another translation in 1949.

I hope you enjoy my zither arrangement, and feel free to share it with others!

“Dayenu” It Is Enough! #Passover #Music #Mp3

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Here is a Passover song, popular at Jewish-American seders. It’s arranged for a small, 15-string zither, and you may
contact me
for a free tutorial if you want to learn it by ear.

I first heard this song in an Elementary School music class. At the time I didn’t know its significance, but I loved it. The next time I heard it was during a self-study Hebrew course, when I purchased CD’s of Jewish children’s music. I’ve always found music and singing to be helpful in learning languages. I’d forgotten about the song in the intervening years, but it showed up again when I was looking for Passover music. My heart leapt, “I remember that song!”

As this
history
points out, “It’s rare to hear people say, when commenting on a blessing in their lives, “It’s enough.”

Don’t miss this fun version by the Maccabeats:

Whether you’re celebrating Passover or not, may you realize, not intellectually but spiritually, that wherever you are and whatever you have right now, it’s enough!

For the Birds #Poem #Music #Meditation

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Here’s a musical meditation on zither, and a Tritina (poem) that is as much for us as it is for the birds!

Through your singing you speak
Sharing peace, hope and love
With your tweets and warbles.

But it’s not just your warbles
It’s the message you speak
Can it teach me to love?

Do you know hate? No, love!
Must I learn your warbles
So I can gently speak?

Or can I speak love without warbles?

“I Dream of County Carolan” #Music #Mp3

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One last nod to St. Patrick’s Day and the theme of Irish music–at least, for now.

Here is a medley played on zither, alto recorder (called treble in the UK and elsewhere), and lyre. It contains “Star of the County Down,” which is a traditional Irish tune, and “Carolan’s Dream,” written by
Turlough O’Carolan.

I call this “I Dream of County Carolan,” as a way of bringing the titles together. There is really no such county in Ireland. 🙂

“Star of the County Down” is played on zither. “Carolan’s Dream” begins with recorder and is then played on lyre. This is great for relaxation, stress relief, and meditation.

I hope you enjoy this, and feel free to download and share the mp3 above!

“Friendship” #Music

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I wrote this song in 2002 as part of my Senior Graduation Project, a CD of 12 songs in 4 languages. My original version had lyrics in German and English, with guitar, pennywhistle, and hand percussion accompaniment.

Here’s an instrumental version on zither. Look out, it goes by quickly!

Also, check out my dream of writing a round (a musical round, that is),
here.

“Down by the Salley Gardens” #Music #Mp3

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This melody is the setting to
a poem
by William Butler Yeats, first published in 1889. It’s Irish title is “Gort na Saileán.”

In 1909 Herbert Hughes set the poem to the traditional tune “The Maids of Mourne Shore.” Though other composers have set it to different music, this is perhaps the best known melody, and “Down by the Salley Gardens” is still a popular song today.

I hope you enjoy hearing it on zither, arranged for 15 strings.

If you want to learn this tune, please feel free to
contact me
for a free tutorial, and don’t forget to download the performance mp3 above.