Pioneer Day has come and gone. We sang the hymn “Come, Come Ye Saints” in sacrament meeting Sunday. This hymn has always had special meaning to me, as I am the descendant of Mormon pioneers. I have sung this hymn all my life, but last Sunday it had a special resonance. Within the past two months I had three eye surgeries: two not such a big deal, and one that was a big deal. My visual trials could fill volumes, but the good news is it is all fixable. While I was waiting for my surgery last Wednesday, I noticed that some of the other patients were quite agitated. Although I had been scared out of my mind in the weeks before, when it came to the big day I was completely calm. I believe this was because I was held up by all the people who were praying for me. When we sang “Come, Come, Ye Saints” Sunday I was particularly struck by the second verse: “Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? ‘Tis not so; all is right. Why should we think to earn a great reward If we now shun the fight? Gird up your loins; fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake; And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—All us well! All is well!
For the first time I began to realize that this hymn is also about all of our trials. It is true, our Lord will never forsake us, and, in the large scheme of things, All is Well!
I believe that church music does not have to be difficult to be effective. Many of my compositions are written for churches that have limited resources. Below are two free choir anthems based on hymn tunes by famous composers.
"How Wondrous and Great" SATB with piano or organ. Based on the hymn tyne LYONS attributed to Joseph Michael Haydn.
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October, 2007
