Play or download the mp3 demonstrating the mask mute for recorder! This may work with other instruments, but they might require even more air to produce sound and be in tune.
Let me know if you try this and how it goes for you! Also, if you know of a real mute for alto recorder, please let me know!
“Over the River and Through the Wood” is a Thanksgiving poem written by Lydia Maria Child. It was first published in 1844 as “The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day.” An anonymous musician set the poem to the tune we know today. You may find it interesting to read
Over the River and Through the Wood: 7 Fun Facts
by New England Historical Society, while you listen to this fun song on lyre and alto recorder!
“Day by Day” is a popular hymn, translated from the Swedish, “Blott en dag.” Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-Berg wrote the lyrics in 1865, several years after witnessing her father’s tragic death by drowning. In 1872 Oscar Ahnfelt wrote the melody we still sing today. The Swedish lyrics were translated by Andrew L. Skoog, and the hymn first appeared in American hymnals in the 1920s. Though it is often sung at funeral services, “Day by Day” offers a comforting message at any time:
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best-
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
I hope you enjoy listening to this hymn on alto recorder and lyre!
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!
“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!
Mystical Strings 
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