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”Sing, oh heavens, and be joyful, oh earth, and break forth into
singing, oh mountains, for the Lord has comforted His people and
will have mercy on His afflicted.” Isaiah 49:13
These songs of comfort are especially relevant for the times we are going through to give hope and vision from the Scriptures. The melodies are new and expanded arrangements, based on the rich lore of folk songs that have been passed from generation to generation. The tunes have had staying power over the centuries.
Selections from her previous four albums
From “THINK ON THESE THINGS” - 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10
From “OH, LORD, MY LIGHT” - 3, 9
From “YIELD PEACEABLE FRUIT” - 2, 11, 12
From “A SONG OF LOVES” - 6
1. "FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK," adapted from Luke 12:22-37, gives assurance of God's tender care. The simple, comforting tune is adapted from a beautiful English melody set to the folk song, "Early One Morning."
2. “BE YOU CONTENT” is adapted from I Timothy 6:6-8, Philippians
4:11
-13, Hebrews 13:5, and Job 1:21 and
2:10
. The chorus reinforces the attitude of the apostle Paul, who sometimes abounded in blessings and many times was abased through terrible trials, and yet was able to say, “in whatsoever state I am, [I am] content.” The melody is from a Luxembourgian folk song, “Dewdrops on Leaves,” which aptly conveys a sense of peace and contentment.
3. “COME UNTO ME,” based on Matthew 11:28-30, is Christ’s invitation to the weary and heavy-laden to come to Him for rest. The yoke He gives is easy because it is tailored to fit our shoulders perfectly. The tune is from a traditional Irish folk song, “Come All Ye Young and Tender Maidens,” and is accompanied by a wirestrung harp.
4. "OH, LORD, YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME," adapted from Psalm 139, is a heartfelt cry of repentance, asking God to examine the psalmist and show where he needs to change. The tune is adapted from the well-known English folk song, “Greensleeves.” As with many folk songs, the origin of the melody is unknown. What is clear is the tune's popularity, under many different titles and versions, for at least five hundred years.
5. "THINK ON THESE THINGS," adapted from Philippians 4:8, gives the secret of joy: Think on God's truth and its ultimate fulfillment in His Kingdom. This will keep you positive and lift you past the burdens you may bear. The origins of this ancient Irish melody are unknown. The first words known to have been set to it are "Would I were
Erin
's apple blossom o'er you" by Alfred Graves. Next, Thomas Moore used the tune for "My Gentle Harp." Later, "Danny Boy" and "Londonderry Air" appeared. Hubert Parry, author of the song, "
Jerusalem
," called the melody "the most beautiful tune in the world."
6. “WHEN HE OPENS THE SEA,” adapted from Exodus 13:17 through 14:16, shows how Pharaoh learned “no one is stronger than God.” Though “we each must come to our Red Sea when we can’t save ourselves if we fight or flee,” this song charges us to trust that this will strengthen our faith, “for our Savior, Who loves us, will open the Sea.” The tune is modified from the traditional American folk song, “The Streets of Laredo.”
7. "REJOICE IN
ALL
THINGS," based on Philippians 4:4-7, reinforces one of the truths to "think on." God only wants good for us as He allows circumstances to develop our character. We can rejoice, knowing He works all that happens to us, even painful experiences, for the best. The tune is adapted from an old Welsh folk song, "Myfwany," meaning "Dearest."
8. "UNDER THE SHADOW OF HIS WINGS,” adapted from Psalm 91, gives comfort and assurance to the Christian in the "wilderness wanderings," just as God protected and provided for ancient
Israel
. The tune for the verse is the Scottish, "O Waly, Waly," which may mean "O Willow,
Willow
." There are other versions in
England
and
America
. You may have heard it called "The Water is Wide." The chorus melody for "Under the Shadow of His Wings" is from the American folk song, "Oh, Shenandoah."
9. “CAST
ALL
YOUR
CARE
ON HIM,” based on I Peter 5:5-10, gives advice to be able to bear the trials of this age: be clothed with humility, submit to God, be vigilant in resisting Satan, and as the chorus repeats, “cast all your care on Him; He cares for you.” When we cast all our cares on God, we must not treat them like a boomerang that we stretch out our hand to receive again! We can have true peace when we rest in the Lord and trust Him to carry our cares. The tune is adapted from an ancient Welsh melody set to the folk song, “David of the White Rock.” ".
10. "JOY WILL COME IN THE MORNING," based on Psalms 30:5 and 126:5, encourages you to look ahead to the "sunrise" in order to gain strength in the night filled with sorrows. I wrote this for a friend going through a wrenching personal tragedy. The tune is old Scottish. Lady John Scott picked up both the words and the tune to "
Loch Lomond
" from a poor boy singing it on the streets of
Edinburgh
.
11. “YIELD PEACEABLE FRUIT,” the album’s title song, is adapted from Hebrews 12:5-15. We are told not to despise the Lord’s chastening, for just as our earthly fathers, He disciplines His sons whom He loves. Chastening is painful, but the result is the “peaceable fruit of righteousness.” The tune is modified from an old ballad from the
British Isles
, “The Mariner.” ".
12. “PEACE BEYOND UNDERSTANDING” is adapted from Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 37:7, and Psalm 84:5-7. This first song sets the tone for the album with the wonderful assurance, “You need be anxious for nothing, but always rest in the Lord; by prayer and supplication, make your requests to God. Tell Him Your needs and thank Him, and trust in Christ’s promise of peace; with peace beyond understanding, your hearts and minds He will keep.” The three verses are adapted from an Irish folk song, “Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Shaded?” The chorus, which describes walking toward the light, is based on “Lovers,” another Irish folk song.".
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