This song was written for the 2021 online UCC General Synod, and draws from the imagery of Psalm 1:
“The truly happy person
doesn’t follow wicked advice,
doesn’t stand on the road of sinners,
and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful.
Instead of doing those things,
these persons love the Lord’s Instruction,
and they recite God’s Instruction day and night!
They are like a tree replanted by streams of water,
which bears fruit at just the right time
and whose leaves don’t fade.
Whatever they do succeeds.” (Psalm 1:1-3 CEB)
I think of it as an invitation to resilience, drawn from being connected to God, to our history and to our story as a people of faith.
Amazing Grace
The classic American hymn, arranged for guitar.
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
The hymn by Martin Luther, with the usual translation amended and updated. Set to Down in the Willow Garden.
Ah, Holy Jesus
The well-known Holy Week hymn, set to a new tune that is simpler to play on guitar, but keeps the mood and spirit of the original.
All Glory, Laud and Honor
A traditional Palm Sunday song, set to a new tune I’ve written, Soul Crow. It gives the song a new feel and emphasis.
Be Still My Soul
The beautiful hymn about trust in God, even in the most difficult times, set to a new tune.
Blessed Be the Tie that Binds
The favorite hymn about love among members of a faith community, set to a new, upbeat tune – More Pretty Girls.
Brightest and Best
A Christmas or Epiphany hymn, Brightest and Best tells the story of the magi and all of us, seeking to bring good gifts to God. Traditional words and tune.
Christ is Risen, Eat a Ham
Inspired by the fact that even though Jesus was Jewish, we eat ham to celebrate Easter, this is a silly, silly song written for Holy Humor and Silly Sunday occasions. Set to one of the usual tunes of Christ the Lord is Risen Today.
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Christ the Lord is Risen Today
The Charles Wesley hymn, set to the guitar-friendly Shepherd’s Star tune from Walker’s Southern Harmony.
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