Download Meditation Mp3
Length: About 16 minutes
A guided meditation with lyre accompaniment, “Through the Secret Door,” for
Sue Vincent’s #Writephoto Prompt, Secret.
I recommend downloading the meditation to listen at your convenience. It’s about 16 minutes long, a journey well worth the time. And thank you to everyone who takes the time, not just to listen but to benefit from your own journey through the secret door!
“In the Garden” is a much loved hymn, as I know from personal experience. It seems like one of those songs, hymns and Christmas carols in particular, that I was born knowing. I must have been so young when I first heard it, that the song is woven into the fiber of my childhood memory.
Although it’s a mystery when I learned the words, I vividly remember learning to play “In the Garden” on piano. It was a request from my uncle, Al, near the end of his battle with cancer. I not only learned the hymn, but recorded a cassette tape of myself playing it, along with other hymns. On our last trip to Connecticut from Pennsylvania, I was able to sing and play the song for uncle Al. It was a precious gift to him and is still a precious memory to me.
I hope you enjoy my zither arrangement of “In the Garden.” It was written by American songwriter C. Austin Miles in 1912 and is still very popular today.
1. The sunrise brings another day,
But mists of mind, they veil my way.
I look within and meditate
Upon the Great Eternal Flame.
2. The rising sun is in my mind,
And all the mists, I leave behind.
I seek within, that’s where I find
The rising sun, my Light Divine.
3. You rise the sun with each new day,
And all the mists You clear away.
And when I meditate and pray,
I know the Light is mine to stay.
O when I meditate and pray,
I know my Great Eternal Flame.
—
My response to Sue Vincent’s
#Writephoto Prompt, Veiled.
I composed this music on my lyre named Sunny 🙂 after reading the prompt word, veiled, and Sue’s photo description. But the lyrics were spontaneous, and I transcribed them from the recording. This is something I’ve always wanted to do, to write a song in the moment. It is improvisation in a way, but different, because I wanted the lyrics to rhyme. Please let me know what you think of the piece and the process!
Thank you to each and every one who takes the time to listen and comment! I truly appreciate it and hope you are calmed and uplifted!
Here is a medley of two hymns, “All Creatures of Our God and King” and “Doxology” played on zither.
The melody of “All Creatures of Our God and King” was written by William Henry Draper and first published in 1919. It’s typically an Easter hymn, but any time is good to appreciate the wonders of nature and the thought that they, too, might praise their Creator.
Thomas Ken wrote “Doxology” in 1674. It was actually the final verse of two hymns, “Awake, my soul, and with the sun,” for worship in the morning; and “Glory to thee, my God, this night,” for evening worship. I have never heard these hymns, as far as I know. But I learned “Doxology” as a child, then played it on piano and recorder long before I played harp or zither.
I hope you enjoy my alternating arrangement of these two beautiful hymns!
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!
In the United States, this is Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day is celebrated in remembrance of military personnel who died in the line of duty.
In remembering those who have fallen, we must not forget those who are still living, including ourselves. As long as we live, it’s important to be grateful, yet not to let memories keep us from living in the present moment. Our time here on earth can be tedious, difficult, and sorrowful. But it is also beautiful, enriching, and it presents opportunities for us to remember what is most important in life.
Here is “Simple Gifts,” played on lyre. This American Shaker hymn was written by Joseph Brackett, Jr. in the 1800’s. It is a reminder to return to simple things. Whatever we reach for, it is rarely the “big things” that bring us true joy and happiness, but rather the simple ones.
I hope you enjoy, and if you do, please share the link or mp3 with others!
Have a peaceful, safe, and happy Memorial Day!
Download “Red Bridge” Mp3
Length: About 5.5 minutes
Instrument: 22-string lyre
Root Chakra Meditation
If you read this poem along with the melody, you’ll notice it can be sung. For Sue Vincent’s
#Writephoto Prompt, Painted.
I didn’t actually use the word painted, but hope this still qualifies…
Red is the bridge in the color of life,
Leading from fear to the strength of the Light
Burning in darkness, a way through the storm.
Red is a beacon of safety and warmth.
Red is the root of our hearth and our home,
Always inside us wherever we roam.
Here is our Lifeforce, vital and strong,
Building a bridge from the night to the dawn.
Red is the color of passion and truth,
Shining so brightly we cannot refuse.
Rooted in Nature that heals and survives,
Fanning the Flame so our Spirit can thrive..
Red is the bridge in the color of life,
Leading from fear to the strength of the Light
Burning in darkness, a way through the storm.
Red is a beacon of safety and warmth.
Also Known as “Let All Things Now Living”
Download The Ash Grove/Let All Things Now Living Mp3
Before the hymn, “Let All Things Now Living,” this traditional Welsh tune was already well-known as “The Ash Grove.” One
source
points out that many people recognize the hymn because of the familiar melody. I agree – I was one of these people! I played the melody on pennywhistle and recorder long before I knew it was a hymn. This just shows the timeless and versatile nature of music!
My arrangement is played on lyre. I hope you enjoy it!
Here are 2 original songs for
Sue Vincent’s #Writephoto Prompt, Dance.
if the audio player does not appear, please visit the post to listen to or download the songs. Thank you!
On Ukulele
Also published in Seasons of the Moon, Volume 13 Issue 3 Beltane 2016
On Guitar
Download Dance with Me Mp3
Download Mp3, Open Causeway
Length: About 7 minutes
1. Calm is the sea.
Bright is the causeway.
Narrow it stretches
Over the view.
Open my eyes.
Clearly I see it,
Path of my purpose.
I’m walking through.
2. Tide rising high
Darkens the causeway.
Narrow it hovers
Over my fear.
Fog from the deep
Clouding my vision,
Making the bridge
From me disappear.
3. Here is the way,
Shining in sunlight.
I travel onward,
Guided and sure.
I realize
Only perception
Strays from the channel
That’s mine evermore.
Accompanied by Sunny, my lyre, this song is in the Dorian mode, which is grounding, and common in shanty songs. It’s about 7 minutes long, with musical interludes for meditation. I do hope you enjoy!
For Sue Vincent’s inspiring
Thursday #Writephoto Prompt, Causeway.
This is the first song I’ve written in 18 months! I’ve written a few instrumental pieces, meditations, and many poems; but I’ve missed the songwriting–lyrics, melody, accompaniment, singing… And even trying to remember the lyrics to make just one good recording all the way through! Thank you, Sue! 🙂
Original Ukulele Song
From the free album download
Mother Nature Sings
Mystical Strings 
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