Here's another project for you! =)
http://savefile.com/projects/1049638This is a medley of a reharmonized "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" and "God is Our Strength and Refuge" (which I didn't bother to reharmonize much, as it already had some pretty interesting chords...good ol' hymns...)
Speaking of which...I think hymns deserve more exposure than they get these days, especially in younger congregations...I guess the words are harder to understand and sometimes the melodies are more difficult to sing, or aren't as catchy; but a lot of old hymns are really quite well written. I guess it's good that some have had new music written for them, to make them more accessible to the younger generations (e.g. May the Mind of Christ, God is Our Strength and Refuge, etc).
Anyway, the two hymns here go together quite well, and I mean not just musically, but lyrically (though I know the style of playing here doesn't really lend itself to singing =P). The words of these hymns remind us of God's ever-present strength and guidance throughout whatever we may face...so 'we therefore will not fear, though the earth should change!'
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Words by William Williams (I know, what were his parents thinking?) and music by John Hughes
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore.
Feed me now and evermore!
Open now the crystal fountain
Whence the living waters flow.
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield.
Be Thou still my strength and shield!
When I tread the verge of Jordan
Bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death and hell’s destruction;
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee.
I will ever give to Thee!
God is Our Strength and Refuge
Words by Richard Bewes (from Psalm 46) and music by Eric Coates
God is our strength and refuge
Our present help in trouble;
And we therefore will not fear,
Though the earth should change!
Though mountains shake and tremble,
Though swirling floods are raging,
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
There is a flowing river,
Within God’s holy city;
God is in the midst of her,
She shall not be moved.
God’s help is swiftly given,
Thrones vanish at His presence
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
Come see the works of our Maker,
Learn of His deeds all powerful;
Wars will cease across the world
When He shatters the spear!
Be still and know your Creator,
Uplift Him in the nations,
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
P.S. I can't actually play the whole thing through in real life, it was all edited together (lots of editing, in fact...but you didn't need to know that...=P)
Those of you who live around the area (well, there's at least two of you who fit this category who will read this =P) (OK, and even if you don't live around the area), our Croydon Park church (cnr Boyle and Violet St) is having a carols night next Saturday the 16th. And it's not just going to be any old carols night, it will be AWESOME! =P
