Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Psaltery organ and song

On a recent visit, Jacob inspired Ben to practice the piano to get good enough to play for priesthood meeting.  He might reach that goal in a year or two.  He still uses the same excuse he used many years ago-- his hands don't work right together.

His playing got me thinking, so one evening when I was restless, I sat down and started to play through the entire hymnbook.  Here are some interesting things I've noticed.

--There aren't many hymns I don't know, but there are many hymns we never sing.  Sad!!  Many that are sung around here are newer, cool songs, but some really good old, old hymns are never used.
--we don't do a very good job with the dotted notes.  We tend to slide over them, making them more equal and less syncopated.
--some of the authors of the songs have awesome names.  I have my favorite.  Which is yours?

When we went to Aberdeen for Grandma's  birthday, I sat by my brother Forrest in sacrament meeting.   As the first hymn started, I leaned over and whispered to him, "Rene always asks me why I don't need or want a hymnbook to sing."  He leaned over and said, "I always ask my wife why she needs a hymnbook after all these years!"

Now, a little quizicito:

Name that hymn:

I cannot go to rest but linger still, in meditation at my window sill...

Wastes rise in verdure and mingle in song.

And righteousness bring in, that Saints may tune the lyre...

When I am filled with strong desire and ask a boon of him I see no miracle of living fire, but what I ask   flows into me.

Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.

And for bonus points, name my favorite hymn and for double bonus points, name my favorite Primary song.

And here's Russell playing the piano.



8 comments:

Sarah said...

The Wint'ry Day, Descending to It's Close, and the other one I know is Come Unto Him (I Wander through the Still of Night). Your favorite hymn is Come, O Thou King of Kings.

Sarah said...

That the Saints may tune the Lyre is Come O Thou King of Kings also. I'll have to ponder the rest.

Janet said...

Your favorite hymn is Come O Thou King of Kings (I didn't cheat off Sarah's). Your favorite Primary song is I Think When I Read That Sweet Story. Yeah?
I only know Come Unto Him is "when I am filled with strong desire".
I think I should know tuning the lyre, but don't. I don't know my hymns too well I guess.

Emily said...

My favorite author is William Williams (Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah) I haven't ever figured out if that's the same William Williams as William Carlos Williams of The Red Wheelbarrow fame. I've also never researched it.

1. The Wintry Day...
2. Probably wrong, but I guess As the Dews from Heav'n Distilling
3. Come, O Thou king of Kings
4. Come Unto Him
5. Come, Ye Disconsolate

Your favorite in #3 and just to be different from janet I'll guess you favorite Primary song is Whenever I Hear the Song of a Bird.

Do I get a stick of gum?

Emily said...

I just looked up #2. I was definitely wrong. I would have had to ponder for a long time to come up with that.

Sarah said...

PS They sing For the Beauty of the Earth in Little Women. Is that the one you meant? For quadruple bonus points, what do the boarding school girls sing in the second Anne of Green Gables movie?

Margaret said...

No, I meant #5. It was supposed to be Beth's favorite hymn. And I don't think I ever watched all the Anne movies, so I have no idea. (Unbelievable, I know.)

Margaret said...

My favorite author of lyrics is Ebenezer Beesley. Emily did pretty well. #2 is hail to the brightness of zion's glad morning. And Janet is right about my favorite Primary song.