My Song is Love Unknown - AO's January Hymn

I LOVE the hymn this month!  I sang this a few times while we were in England, and am so glad that it showed up on the Ambleside Online hymn rotation!  I must admit - my recording (https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3TbnM5Mzl5OFdOUWs) for my family does not do it justice at all!  Definitely listen to some of the YouTube videos sung by English choirs - they are gorgeous. 

I suggest printing out the words separately from the PDF of the full score, since there don't seem to be any copies of the two together on the Web for free.  However, it's such a beautiful poem you will probably want to read it as such anyway! 

Thanks to Cyber Hymnal for their midi file, edited & used in my recording according to their fair use policy.  Don't forget to print the words from their site for each reading member of your family, as well as the PDF if you want to play it on your piano. 

YouTube:
St. Martin's Choir (with words!):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv7OZSoA22w&list=PLF0AA995DF9F7D693&index=15
Well's Cathedral Choir:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjo-JiwyVAE&list=PLF0AA995DF9F7D693&index=8
King's College, Cambridge:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMart4wXsI0&list=PLF0AA995DF9F7D693&index=23
Irish arrangement, 1 note is off but not a huge deal:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK1LNz-rIOI
Different tune, Fernando Ortega:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbsj7tBQjdk

Copyright:  I claim copyright for my voice on the recording.  Please feel free to download & use for personal, educational, or church use!  Any commercial or other uses, please contact me.  Please ask if you would like to put any of my music on your website.  Thanks! 

Getting Ready for Hymn Study this year & For All the Saints

What a beautiful hymn is September's For All the Saints!  Here is my homemade recording:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3TUEdneXpac2NrU1k.  I hope you enjoy it!  Thanks to Cyber Hymnal for use of the midi file in the accompaniment (which I use according to their fair use guidelines).  There are eleven verses (whew!) but it goes quickly.  It's worth it to take time to consider the words. 

Here are You Tube links:
With Words on Screen:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JAz0EUZqu0
Beautiful British version:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGBrq-C5VYE

We enjoy following Ambleside Online's hymn schedule during the year for our morning worship time as a family.  I print out the PDF files of each hymn from Cyber Hymnal's website (although this month's does not contain the words, so I print those out separately), copy for each reading member of our family, and use during our hymn time every morning.  They also usually have a short description of the hymn and the author. 

Here are the PDFs I am printing out this year (when they don't have words, I print the words separately):
Sept: For All the Saints:  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/s/i/n/Sine%20Nomine.pdf (no words)
Oct: For the Beauty of the Earth:  http://www.hymntime.com/TCH/pdf/d/i/x/Dix.pdf (no words)
Nov:  Anywhere with Jesus:  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/a/n/y/Anywhere%20with%20Jesus.pdf
Dec:  Praise God to Whom all Blessings Flow:  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/o/l/d/Old%20100th.pdf Jan: My Song is Love Unknown:  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/w/e/s/Wesley.pdf 
Feb:  This is My Father's World:  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/t/e/r/Terra%20Beata.pdf
Mar:   Ah, Holy Jesus:  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/h/e/r/Herzliebster%20Jesu.pdf 
Apr: Count Your Blessings:  http://www.hymntime.com/TCH/pdf/c/o/u/Count%20Your%20Blessings.pdf 
May: All Creatures of Our God & King: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/l/a/s/Lasst%20Uns%20Erfreuen.pdf  
June: Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending:  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/h/e/l/Helmsley.pdf 
July:  Holy, Holy Holy:  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/h/o/l/Holy,%20Holy,%20Holy.pdf 
Aug:  Sun of My Soul:http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/a/b/e/Abends.pdf

For the PDFs without words, please let me know if you happen to find a different source somewhere with the words in addition to the music!  I would love to be able to share with everyone.  :)  I personally have a few hymnals we can pull from - but I'm sure not everyone has hymnals just lying around their house!  (Thank you, used book sales!)  

Copyright:  I claim copyright for the voice on all of my recordings.  However, you may feel free to use them for private, educational, or church use.  Please contact me if you would like to use them for any for-profit endeavor.  Also, please ask permission to play on your website (you may always link to the recording, if you like).

Thanks!
:)  Jen

The Rock that is Higher than I, AO's August Hymn

This month's Ambleside Online Hymn is The Rock that is Higher than I.  I had never heard this hymn before, but it is lovely & definitely worth memorizing!  (Especially for those of us home educating Moms who get burned out sometimes.)  I paced it a tiny bit slower than the recommended tempo, which I felt was more sing-able.

BTW, please comment this month on how these recordings are working for you!  Would it be helpful to anyone if I added an alto line, or separate recording with the alto, so you can start working on parts in your family?

Credits:  Thanks to Cyber Hymnal for use of their Midi file in this recording!  Don't forget to print out their PDF hymn sheet for your family worship time. 

My Recording:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3TY2MzTXBISkpwalE

You Tube links:  This song was scarce on You Tube!  There must be a lot of people who, like me, had never heard it before.  :) 

Copyright: I claim copyright for my voice in the recording.  However, you're welcome to download & use it for your own personal use, education, or church!  Please contact me if you would like to use it for commercial purposes, or on your own website (a link to the recording on my website is always allowed!).  Thanks!

I Stand Amazed in the Presence: AO's July Hymn

This month's recording of I Stand Amazed in the Presence brought me back to my Southern Baptist Bible camp background.  I did not do this soft and gentle - I did it strong & quick.  This is the way I learned it every summer attending our family's summer vacation tradition, Paisano Family Encampment.  Organ & Piano playing together, worship leader belting it from the pulpit in full operatic baritone.  Actually, I wanted to belt it out with lots of vibrato, but my microphone couldn't handle that - so I sang normally, LOL!  (Most of you will probably appreciate that.)

Speaking of Tempo, this is actually the tempo that is suggested for this hymn!  In today's "traditional" churches (and especially in "contemporary" worship during the once in a while that they do play a hymn), we tend to sing hymns MUCH slower than they were intended.  Most hymns are not supposed to be dirges.  I personally like them at the suggested original pace, and I believe children especially like them better at that faster tempo, too.  I try to make all the hymn recordings the original speed, when one is posted on the public domain sheet music (which is most of the time).

Thanks again to Cyber Hymnal for their midi file which I modified for the accompaniment, within their fair use terms.  Don't forget to print their hymn sheet PDF!   And as always thanks to Ambleside Online for their wonderful hymn suggestions. 

You Tube links:
Contemporary, country-ish version with solos & choir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErXa4TfVc1w&list=PLBA6B43A477877903&index=20&feature=plpp_video

Brass version:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sf2c5yJxao&feature=BFa&list=PLBA6B43A477877903

If you're a Chris Tomlin fan, he has a version on YouTube, too.

Unfortunately, none of the You Tube links are really great for singing along with.  I couldn't fine anything online that included all 5 verses.  If you find something you like with with words on the screen & a good singer/accompaniment, please post it in the comments!  Thanks!  

PS - I claim copyright for my voice on this recording.  If you are using this for personal, educational, or church use you are free to download & copy it; however, please contact me if you would like to use it for any commercial purposes.  Please do not post my recordings on your blog without permission; a link to my site is preferred.  Thanks!

Rock of Ages - AO June Hymn

Here is my recording of Rock of Ages*, the Ambleside Online June 2012 hymn:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3TcUJvOUFPYVhVTTQ

Thanks, Cyber Hymnal for the midi file of the music!  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/r/o/c/rockages.htm
(Don't forget to print out your PDF - this month it has words with it!  Have all your children who can read follow along with the sheet music to aid in their musical development!  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/pdf/r/o/c/Rock%20of%20Ages%20%28Toplady%29.pdf) 

I hope you enjoy learning it - it's one of my favorite hymns. 

You Tube Links:


Acapella Choral with Words (truly beautiful):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7gt_cSxjw&feature=related
 
 Contemporary singer, very nice (no words):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH9RJQnQPuQ&feature=related

Acoustic guitar, country version (good, but he plays with the melody slightly, so don't sing along to this one):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svl9sVXnPkQ

 * As usual, this is my voice!  I claim copyright for my singing.  Please don't copy it for commercial use or other internet distribution without my permission.  Feel free, though, to download the hymn for private, educational, or church use.  Thanks so much! 

Sweet Hour of Prayer - Ambleside's May Hymn

Hi Everyone!

Here is my version of Sweet Hour of Prayer (https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3TNDNTbzhOQzFiczA), Ambleside Online's Hymn of the Month for May 2012.  Thanks again to Cyber Hymnal for their midi file (used within their guidelines) of this public domain song.  Don't forget to print their PDF, and here are their words I made into a printable document since they're not written in on the sheet music.

You Tube:

Note: There are a LOT of recordings of this, so go ahead & search some more - if you find something really cool, leave a comment & share with the rest of us! - PS - I check the comments before they're posted, so it may be a day or two before it shows up.

Neat version by Acapella (drops last verse):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNloFl4oIZc
Non-professional recording, but beautiful acapella version with all verses & WORDS!!:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjYfN20H2sM&feature=related
Beautiful choral arrangement:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8ZyCIqe1wU&feature=related

Copyright - I claim copyright for my voice on the recording, but you're welcome to use it for personal, educational, or church use (all non-profit).  Please contact me if you would like to use it for any other reason.

:) Blessings! 
Jen

I'm Not Ashamed to Own My Lord (AO April 2012 hymn... finally!)

Hi Everyone!

Here is the link to my recording of April's hymn, I'm Not Ashamed to Own My Lord:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3Tck9EUnlITWltWDg
 
SORRY it's so late (for those of you who follow along with my family).  Alas, taxes, planting an orchard & new trees, family trips, & family in the hospital have slowed me down this month.  I'll try to be on top of it next month!

Thanks again to Cyber Hymnal for their midi file & printable PDF (again, you'll have to print the words out separately this month).  

You Tube Links:

Here is a beautiful organ arrangement (just organ):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=perIke0jIjo
An interesting baptist accapella version:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaQT6cAeddM

Once again, I claim copyright for my voice on my recording, but I'm happy to share for your private use; educational uses; church uses.  Please do not distribute otherwise without my permission.  Thanks! 

:)  Jen

I'll Praise My Maker (Isaac Watts, 1791), AO's February Hymn

I'll Praise My Maker, by Isaac Watts, is the hymn my family is studying for the month of March (yes, we got a little bit mixed up!).  It is very meaningful to me, as I have watched several loved ones pass through death's doors over the past few years.  I look forward to learning this hymn well over the next few weeks, and maybe, one day, drawing on the comfort of its words for myself. 

Thanks again to Cyber Hymnal for their midi file and printable PDF.  Since the PDF doesn't have the words this month, I printed the words out separately as a poem and placed them side by side in our family worship binder. 

This You Tube video is the closest I've found to the original tune & words of this hymn.  It is a choral anthem.  It's not a very popular hymn, so it's difficult to find good recordings.  There are plenty of recordings out there if you are looking for a different, or a modified, tune. 

Again, here is the link to my recording:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3TeGRoZHdIUjdURjJkYW9sYjZRc0NtZw


Note:  I do claim copyright for my voice on the recording.  Please do not use or distribute it outside of the following non-profit uses:  private enjoyment, education, or church/worship use.  Please link to my blog if you would like to share it with others, and contact me if you have an inquiry about any commercial (for-profit) use.  Thanks! 

Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim It - AO's March Hymn!

Here is my version of Ambleside Online's March 2012 Hymn! 

Redeemed How I Love To Proclaim It  (https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3TMzBiZDIxMDEtZDFiYy00ZGVkLWE5M2EtMjNhMGIwYWUzYTAw)

Thanks so much to Cyber Hymnal for use of their midi file.  They also have the PDF with all 5 verses. 

A few You Tube Links (actually, they all have the alternative hymn tune, which I could not get permission to use for my blog since the tune is not public domain yet):
Instrumental:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRN-oT8zAOE&list=PLBA6B43A477877903&index=1&feature=plpp_video

With Lyrics on screen & singing:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiKyl1YyVjc&feature=BFa&list=PLBA6B43A477877903&lf=plpp_video

Country/ cool arrangement:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QojShzCMK4&feature=BFa&list=PLBA6B43A477877903&lf=plpp_video

Don't forget, my recording is basically public domain, but please ask me if you would like it for uses other than private, educational or church.  Thanks! 

:)  Jen

What a Friend We Have in Jesus (AO January 2012 Hymn)

Hi Friends!

Sorry this is a few days late - I've been under the weather with a bad cold, which unfortunately affects my singing voice.  But hopefully this recording will be good enough for family worship time :)

Once again, thanks to Cyber Hymnal for use of their public domain midi file.  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/w/a/f/wafwhij.htm. Don't forget to visit this site to print out your free PDF copy of the sheet music with the lyrics for all four verses!

Here are the links to download my versions:
With piano:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3TYjY0MGNjYjMtZGYwOC00ODdlLTkwNjgtNjkyOGIxMGNlOWEx
Acapella:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3TM2ZiY2Q4NDUtMTU2OC00ZWY5LWI4NmUtNDgwM2YyM2UxYTVj

Remember, I'm just a Mom, making these for our own family worship time.  Please feel free to use my recording for private, educational, or church use.  Beyond that, please contact me first.

Gotta love these you tube videos!
Jazz version:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w55gVIT7s0w
Country (with words):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLAg2NDcOt4

Thanks again!

:)  Jen

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds

I love Ambleside Online's December hymn, How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds!  This accompaniment is piano/ organ, the way the church in which I was raised (Westminster PCA in Lancaster, PA) would have played it.

Here are the links:
My version, free MP3 download:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzn5JnBFIS3TZWMzM2UwYjQtMzBhYy00OTFlLWI2NmYtZGY2NzMwZDM4YzZh
Cyber hymnal has the PDF & Midi File. (Thanks again for the Midi File!):  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/h/s/w/hsweetnj.htm

I couldn't find a You Tube version I was happy with.  This one is beautiful to listen to, but not best to sing along with since the singer changes the melody a bit:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTRnz4j6BpY
This one is fine for singing, but a bit slow:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoPlwPUYWaw
This one has a fun up-tempo arrangement:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z56Mph80gb0

Remember, I'm just a Mom & not perfect myself!  My recording is made for my family - I hope it's helpful to you, too.  Feel free to use it for personal, educational, or church use - but contact me if you would like to use if for anything else.

Thanks!  :)  Jen

Young Children's Praise of God

An encouraging reminder from Psalm 8.... 

"From the lips of children and infants, you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." 

I am in awe of the fact that God ordains praise from our very little children - even babies who cannot yet talk - and that this praise from the weakest of humans silences spiritual and human opponents to God! 

I don't understand how this works - but somehow our children have extremely strong spiritual strength in their trusting praises of God, even when we ourselves don't know whether or not they have a relationship with God. 

To me, this is wonderful motivation to surround them with Bible scripture and songs of praise to God - because somehow, they catch on and really join in - and it is powerful.