Hymn of the Week #24: "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks"

Hymn of the Week #24: "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks"

This simple SATB arrangement of the carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" is set to the well-beloved American folk hymn "My Shepherd Shall Supply My Need" (from Southern Harmony, 1835). Its calm, pastoral character offers a nice contrast to the upbeat Yorkshire melody to which it is usually sung. 

Listen / download here: http://bit.ly/1Nxs7fD

There is also a duet version for male/female voices with piano accompaniment: http://bit.ly/1HLwkzv

Hymn of the Week #23: "With Wondering Awe"

Hymn of the Week #23: "With Wondering Awe"

Here is a very nice new carol for your choirs to sing this Christmas. The words relate the story of the wise men following the star to find the newborn Savior. The music is joyful and features an echo effect that can be sung by a smaller part of the choir or by a quartet.

Listen / download here: http://bit.ly/1S8ziip

Hymn of the Week #22: "I Heard the Bells"

Hymn of the Week #22: "I Heard the Bells"

Based on the English carol "The Snow Lies Thick Upon the Earth," this new setting of the well-known Longfellow poem "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" helps us consider anew his plea for "peace on earth, good will to men." Just in time for Christmas!

Download here: http://store.singanewsong.org/index.php?route=product%2Fproduct&path=62&product_id=236

New hymn setting for "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief"

New hymn setting for "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" to the tune SOCIAL BAND. Finally, a version that lets you get through all of the verses!

Listen here: http://www.singanewsong.org/mp3/APoorWayfaringManofGrief.mp3
Download here: http://www.singanewsong.org/hymns.php?keyword=wayfaring

Hymn of the Week #21: "O Thou Rock of Our Salvation"

Hymn of the Week #21: "O Thou Rock of Our Salvation"

Set to the American folk hymn HOLY MANNA, this robust hymn encourages us to "battle for the truth" and "wage a war against sin" so that we can win the "fight of faith." Onward! March firm and true to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1VO4SMmdeU

You can download this hymn here: http://www.singanewsong.org/hymns.php?keyword=manna
There is also a choral arrangement available here: http://bit.ly/1PpggFd

 

Find new tunes for familiar hymn texts at singanewsong.org

Hymn of the Week #20: "Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer"

Hymn of the Week #20: "Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer"

This sweet hymn reminds us of the all of the ways the Savior can help us. He can teach us ("Thy sweet message now impart.") He can strengthen us ("We are weak but thou art strong. / Enter every timid heart.") He can shelter and protect us ("Keep Thy loving arms around us / Keep us in the narrow way / Let us never from thee stray"). He can comfort us ("Let not sorrow overwhelm us / Dry the bitter tears that start."). And he can be a source of peace: ("Curb the winds and calm the billows / Bid the angry tempest cease / Grant us everlasting peace.") As we allow the Savior into our lives, we will feel his love and influence daily.

Two settings of this hymn are available: the first is a simple SATB setting: http://bit.ly/1NW7gpS

The second is an arrangement for SATB choir and a clarinet solo, with piano accompaniment:
Listen: http://bit.ly/1LfSgV2
Preview: http://bit.ly/1FClxXw
Download: http://bit.ly/1FClyKU

 

Find new tunes for familiar hymn texts at singanewsong.org

Hymn of the Week #19: "O May My Soul Commune with Thee"

Hymn of the Week #19: "O May My Soul Commune with Thee"

Hymn of the week is back from hiatus with this prayerful text, set to the music of an American folk tune, LAND OF REST. We can always find peace amidst worldly cares and turmoil and obtain sweet release from pain and fear by communing with the Lord in heartfelt prayer. If we keep our hearts "in tune," we will be able to hear the still, small voice and feel the Lord's abiding love for us.


Find new tunes for familiar hymn texts at singanewsong.org

Hymn of the Week #18: "He is Risen"

"He is Risen"

As spring approaches, our minds turn to Easter and the Resurrection. The rejuvenation and rebirth that we see in our natural surroundings each year is a recurring reminder of the transformative power of the Resurrection. It reminds us that physical death is only temporary--a single step in an eternal process of sanctification. As we contemplate Easter, we must remember that it is only through Jesus Christ that we can overcome death and sin. Thus, the words spoken by the angels: "He is not here, for he is risen" ring just as strongly for us today as they did for those visited the empty tomb on that first Easter Sunday over two millennia ago.

This week's hymn of the week is a setting of the text "He is Risen" to the powerful "Ode to Joy" chorus from the finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Originally set to a poem about the love of an eternal Heavenly Father and the brotherhood of man, "Ode to Joy" is a tune that has reached the hearts of millions worldwide. What better way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ than with this powerful ode?

Two settings of this hymn are available: the first is an arrangement for SATB choir with organ and piano accompaniment (listen | preview | download). The second is a simple SATB setting (listen | preview | download).

Hymn of the Week #17: Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words

Hymn of the Week #17: "Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words"

Pleasant words are like "honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24). Carefully chosen words can even be like "apples of gold in pictures of silver" (Proverbs 25:11). Mean-spirited or poorly chosen words, on the other hand, "are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost part of the belly" (Proverbs 18:8). When we hear kind words from others, it speaks peace to our heart, and brightens up our whole outlook on life. Therefore, let us oft speak kind words to each other!

Download the music for this hymn for FREE here.

Find new tunes for familiar hymn texts at singanewsong.org 

Hymn of the Week #16: I'm a Pilgrim, I'm a Stranger

Hymn of the Week #16: "I'm a Pilgrim, I'm a Stranger"

As men of God throughout the ages have acknowledged, we are all pilgrims, strangers, wanderers in a strange land. We are all seeking for a promised land, a place of peace and rest, where righteousness abounds. This world is just a temporary abode ... we seek for a better place and an everlasting inheritance. We yearn for our heavenly home.

This is the sentiment expressed in the hymn "I'm a Pilgrim, I'm a Stranger," which acknowledges that we are "apt to go astray" and that this life is full of "deathly dangers," but ends with the prayerful request, "guide me Father, safely to the promised land."

Find new tunes for familiar hymn texts at singanewsong.org 

Hymn of the Week #15: "Great God, To Thee my Evening Song"

Hymn of the Week #15: "Great God, To Thee my Evening Song"

A wonderful hymn about resting (many of us need to learn how to do this better): "With hope in thee mine eyelids close; with sleep refresh my feeble frame. Safe in thy care may I repose and wake with praises to thy name."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daukmG2ukcE

For more new hymn matches, go to www.singanewsong.org

Hymn of the Week #14: Away in a Manger

Hymn of the Week #14: Away in a Manger.

It's a little known fact that the words to "Away in a Manger" fit surprisingly well with Gustav Holst's carol "In the Bleak Midwinter." This is one of my favorite Christmas matches.

Listen here: http://bit.ly/1yaBJsO

Download FREE here: http://bit.ly/1vLdqQ7

http://www.singanewsong.org/hymns.php?keyword=manger