I first heard this 17th-century folk song as a child. Believe it or not, it was part of an Elementary School book and CD set we often used in music class. The version on the CD was sung a cappella by a solo tenor voice. It was hauntingly done, but I found the song disturbing, because of the
lyrics.
While I still think the song tells a bittersweet story, it’s a beautiful melody that never left me.
I hope you enjoy hearing “Barbara Allen” on Oriole (soprano) recorder and zither!
“We are like books. Most people only see our cover, the minority read only the introduction, many people believe the critics. Few will know our …
We are like books.
You probably don’t recognize the name, Judson W. Van de Venter. I know I didn’t. However, you might recognize the hymn, “I Surrender All.” Written in 1896, it is one of his most famous hymns, still widely sung today. According to
Discipleship Ministries | History of Hymns,
this hymn was influential in the ministry of Rev. Billy Graham.
I hope you enjoy this contemplative arrangement played on lyre!
I’m reblogging this song I wrote several years ago for the “above, below” theme for
Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SoCS.
Click the original post link to hear the song and read the lyrics.
This English folk song is often known as “The Riddle Song.” However, it is just one of many such riddle songs, often sung as lullabies or ballads. It has become popular throughout the English-speaking world, since its possible 16th-century origin. According to
Song Facts,
some sources claim there are hidden messages in the lyrics, but there is no such mystery. At the end of the day, it’s a simple folk song, though it can indeed be a hypnotic melody.
I hope you enjoy this arrangement with a verse on ukulele and viola, one on ukulele and alto recorder, and 2 lyre verses in the middle!
Honing with Pain the truth has sharp teeth, biting through the deepest pain, life heals what life kills How to Write a Haiku in English Form A …
Honing with Pain – a poem.
My Testimony on the Power of Manifestation By: Patty L. Fletcher February 8, 2021 Hello Everyone and Happy Monday (Moon Day) to you! Today, I’m …
My Testimony on the Power of Manifestation #Spiritual
Philip P. Bliss wrote this hymn in 1876. Bliss was a singing evangelist who wrote many hymns that are still published and sung today, including this one.
I hope you enjoy this duet with both parts played on alto recorder!
Happy birthday, Schubert!
Franz Schubert was born on January 31, 1797. In honor of his birthday, I posted
“Die Forelle” (The Trout)
on zither last year.
Today I’m sharing a simple arrangement of Schubert’s “Impromptu, Opus 90, Number 3”. To me this piece contains elements of his “Ave Maria,” which I love.
I hope you enjoy this arrangement on alto recorder, viola, and lyre!
“Sweet Hour of Prayer” was written by William W. Walford, who lived in England from 1772 to 1850.
This hymn is about private prayer, rather than congregational prayer in a church service or other setting. This is deep, intense, personal prayer of petition; thanksgiving; and again, petition, but from a waiting, faithful soul who is aware that God already knows what is needed.
American songwriter, William Bradbury, composed the fitting music for this hymn.
I hope you enjoy this beautiful, contemplative melody on zither!
Mystical Strings 
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