a little something new

trying to spice up the old bloggy :)

Matt, Papi, and kids at blue hole

click here to see the photos

another song

The shape note documentary I saw at St. Elmo Pres. (Awake My Soul) has left me craving more. I keep thinking of getting away to one of the local singings to try it out and I would LOVE to host a showing of the documentary and a sample singing at our church in Flintstone too. The community we're in would probably love it. At our church on Sunday, we sang a an old hymn that was adapted from the Sacred Harp hymnal. This hymn was also sung a few times during the documentary and I was so excited to sing it, even if the tune was slightly changed. Here it is, and I hope it edifies you and encourages you as much as it has me. Click on the link below to hear the tune. The organ doesn't really do the song justice, but you'll get the idea. It's hauntingly beautiful to hear it sung in the shape note way, with over a hundred people belting out the notes and keeping time together. For now though, I have to be satisfied with humming it to myself while I do the dishes.

I know that my Re-deem-er lives— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
What com-fort this sweet sent-ence gives— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
Shout on, pray on, we're gain-ing ground— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
The dead's a-live and the lost is found— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!

He lives, He lives, who once was dead— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
He lives, my ev-er-last-ing Head— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
Shout on, pray on, we're gain-ing ground— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
The dead's a-live and the lost is found— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!

He lives to bless me with His love— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
He lives to plead for me a-bove— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
Shout on, pray on, we're gain-ing ground— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
The dead's a-live and the lost is found— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!

He lives, all glo-ry to His name!— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
He lives, my Je-sus, still the same— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
Shout on, pray on, we're gain-ing ground— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!
The dead's a-live and the lost is found— Glo-ry, hal-le-lu-jah!

http://members.toast.net/puritan/Hymns/Hymns.htm

More about shape note/sacred harp music...

what i'm humming today

Hallelujah! Praise Jehovah

Hallelujah, praise Jehovah,
O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises
Of my God through all my days.
Put no confidence in princes,
Nor for help on man depend;
He shall die, to dust returning,
And his purposes shall end.

Happy is the man that chooses
Israel’s God to be his aid;
He is blest whose hope of blessing
On the Lord his God is stayed.
Heaven and earth the Lord created,
Seas and all that they contain;
He delivers from oppression,
Righteousness He will maintain.

Food He daily gives the hungry,
Sets the mourning prisoner free,
Raises those bowed down with anguish,
Makes the sightless eyes to see.
Well Jehovah loves the righteous,
And the stranger He befriends,
Helps the fatherless and the widow,
Judgment on the wicked sends.

Hallelujah, praise Jehovah,
O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises
Of my God through all my days.
Over all God reigns forever,
Through all ages He is King;
Unto Him, thy God, O Zion,
Joyful hallelujahs sing.