Before the hymn, “Let All Things Now Living,” this traditional Welsh tune was already well-known as “The Ash Grove.” One source
points out that many people recognize the hymn because of the familiar melody. I agree – I was one of these people! I played the melody on pennywhistle and recorder long before I knew it was a hymn. This just shows the timeless and versatile nature of music!
My arrangement is played on lyre. I hope you enjoy it!
Here are 2 original songs for Sue Vincent’s #Writephoto Prompt, Dance.
if the audio player does not appear, please visit the post to listen to or download the songs. Thank you!
Dance!
On Ukulele
Also published in Seasons of the Moon, Volume 13 Issue 3 Beltane 2016
Unity in the many
Love without discrimination
Trust in One Self
Intimately known
Making all ways, always
Animating Force
Torch of Infinite Light
Eternal You!
I play the meditation on zither (also called a plucked psaltery or lap harp). Improvisation in the Lydian mode, for those who want to know. 🙂 More importantly, Ripply is the zither’s name, so it was the natural (read: only) choice for this meditation. Please feel free to download and share the mp3!
Rippling Cascade
Water ripples, water flows,
Though we can’t see where it goes.
From the hallowed hidden falls
Back into the Source of All.
Let your body be at ease.
Leave your manic mind in peace.
Safe from rushing here and there,
Now releasing every care.
Feel the rippling water soft,
Taking all the edges off.
Ragged-rough to round and smooth,
Let it cradle, let it soothe.
All the tension you have held
Fades away and gently melts.
You surrender every stress,
Giving thanks for needed rest.
In your mind you find a place
Where the water fills the space.
Deep, renewing, healing womb,
This is your creative room.
All your passions, dreams and play
Come alive again today.
They are not gone; they are not lost.
They are yours, Love pays the cost.
Let the water take your fears,
Loneliness and every tear.
Give your doubts and questions up,
Rippling Spirit fills your cup.
Water comes and water goes,
Urging things to die, or grow.
If there’s something you must leave,
Let it go, and then receive.
For unto you the water comes
To show you where you’re really from:
Made of Spirit more than bone,
Always with you, not alone.
And this body that you wear?
Water is its substance fair.
So let the rippling changes be;
Your Essence: Truth, Eternal, Free!
Water ripples, water flows,
Though we can’t see where it goes.
From the hallowed hidden falls
Back into the Source of All.
“Bunessan” is a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune. In the United States at least, it is better known as the melody of the hymns “Morning Has Broken” and “Child in a Manger.” The 1931 lyrics of “Morning Has Broken” are still under copyright, but we’re free to play “Bunessan” to our hearts’ (and zither’s!) content. Enjoy!
“Dix” is the original title of this melody. It was composed by Conrad Kocher in 1838. The lyrics were written by Folliott Sandford Pierpoint in 1863. Though the text has been set to other melodies, Kocher’s tune is perhaps the most common. It’s the one I learned as a child, and I play it here on lyre. Enjoy, and please share!
Please read on for today’s poem. But first, here is a free download of my original album, Mother Nature Sings.
Click the link below to download and save the zip file, containing 13 mp3’s. Mother Nature Sings
Album Description
Celebrating Nature and Goddess as the divine feminine. Not just for women, but women especially enjoy these.
This is an acoustic solo album with ukulele, voice, and some nature sounds. “Wishing Well” also has recorder. 🙂 Musical styles include meditative/New Age, folk, Hawaiian, bluegrass, jazz, spoken-word poetry, and more.
Track listing
1. Instrument of Peace
2. Wishing Well
with recorder
3. Live like a Leaf
4. Song of the Sea
5. Cricket
with natural cricket chirp
6. Woman
7. Really Been Loved
8. Phoenix Rising
9. Thank You, Mother Earth
10. Peace, Be Still
with natural ocean tide
11. Wings of Autumn
12. One in You
13. Singing Sweet
I hope you enjoy this album! If you do, please share this post.
Now for today’s poem.
Our Giving Earth
Our Earth keeps giving us so much,
Not least water that is a must,
The food we eat so we may live,
The air, its breath a precious gift.
The birds who sing in trees and sky,
The breezes through the trees that sigh,
Each lovely flow’r to see and smell,
A gift that wishes only well.
The Winter, Summer, Fall and Spring
Come bringing changes pondering.
We take for granted time and place,
But Earth deserves our thanks and praise.
Creator in us and above
Has made for us our Earth to love.
So may we shine the Light of Heav’n
On all our bless’d Earth has given!
Continuing to share nature themed hymns, here is “How Great Thou Art,” played on zither. The music is a traditional Swedish melody. An 1885 poem by Carl Boberg became the lyrics, originally written in Swedish and later translated into German and Russian. As well-known as the English translation has become, it wasn’t translated until 1925, with another translation in 1949.
I hope you enjoy my zither arrangement, and feel free to share it with others!
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