Archive for March, 2012The melody is a bit ‘mainstream’ for my liking, but the words are – I hope – challenging and powerful. The Church of the West has been described as ‘asleep’ in other parts of the world. Is it not time we all became more open and radical about our faith?? The opening lines are inspired by J.B.Phillips’ New Testament translation of Romans 12:2, where it says: “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within”. Living Every Moment for You Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Em______C_______________G ____________G____________C At Pentecost, in awesome power We need to share your Gospel now Recylced hymns have become quite popular in the last couple of decades. Be it ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘When I survey’ or ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd.’ But here comes a recycled hymn with a difference! Firstly, the words to verse one (and the inspiration for the other verses) come from this song by Ada Anne Whiddington, which was written in the 19th Century! The tune is then mine, but I composed it to fit in with the chorus of ‘All to Jesus I surrender’ by Judson W. Van De Venter – also a pretty old song from the 1900s! So, three song-writers from three different centuries have combined to form this song, which I hope you’ll like. Making the multi-track recording was a bit of a nighmare, so I hope you’ll excuse the minor timing/pitch issues! You could use this in your church next Sunday and folk would love it! Here you go: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Best order: Ladies begin with verse 1, men enter with verse 1 as ladies begin chorus. Not I but Christ ________D______________________Em Chorus: Not I but Christ, my strength in times of sorrow And Christ alone will be my hope and vision Right now, I’m entering one of the biggest transition times of my life: returning to the UK after 7 years in Africa. I guess that’s where some of the sentiment of this song comes from. However, I think there’s something in it for everyone; life is tough in this day and age. Yet the good news is that help is at hand! This song is a call to perserverance, but also to trust in God, whatever the situation. I found the words to the chorus in this daily reading from ‘Our Daily Bread’ and was immediately drawn to them. Written by someone called ‘Fitzhugh’. I’m guessing many years ago, and yet the words are just as powerful and meaningful today. Although I’ve googled Fitzhugh over and over, I cannot find out any more than his/her surname! If anyone knows any more, please do let me know! For me, this is one of the most beautiful tunes I’ve composed (discovered?). It’s a lovely chord sequence, but had not been used in any recent songs I know. Sorry my voice is sounding a bit dodgy this week! In a world gone mad we look to you Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Intro/interlude: Em__Am__Bsus4__B7__Em _____Em_____Am7___D_____Gmaj7 Chorus: Though trials and temptations come We need you more than ever now There are not enough songs about the importance of the Bible. And yet it is a huge need in the Western church today. This website states: It goes on to say that 35% of Christians in the USA never read the Bible. Shocking indeed! Yet this one says that “Half the books of the Bible can be read in 10 to 45 minutes each, and many of them can be read in less than 20. The entire Old and New Testaments can be read aloud slowly and with expression in less than 71 hours.” Wow! So, here’s my latest song on this subject: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Your Word ____Bb_____Eb________Fsus4 Eb____________Bb It fills the tired and weary It tells of how You made us Inspire us through its pages If you use this song in your church, do let me know how it goes! The message is very important, as I’m sure you can see! |