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.
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.
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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Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
The traditional hymn, arranged for guitar.
Down in the Valley to Pray
Also known as Down in the River to Pray, this version has been edited to include more of a sense of connectedness and community. Traditional hymn with modified lyrics.
Guide Me, My Great Redeemer
A new tune for the Isaac Watts hymn Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah, which calls on imagery from Exodus and the people of Israel in the wilderness. The tune is modified from All the Good Times are Lost and Gone.
House of Love
I wrote most of this hymn at jury duty, in a quiet room waiting to see if I’d be put on a jury. The subdued setting was an interesting contrast to the exuberance and joyfulness of Psalm 100, which declares the depth of God’s love and welcome for each of us. This is an original tune and original lyrics.
I Lift Up My Eyes
Inspired by Psalm 121, this song is about seeking out God’s help in hard times. It also pulls from Julian of Norwich – “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” Set to a modified version of the tune for Jesse James.