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Home	Our third collection and the song title of Track 14 is based on Hebrews 12:11: “...afterwards [chastening] yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness....” The title uses three of the key words of the album’s theme. There is an interesting play on the word, “yield.” One must yield to God and His way of peace in order to yield peaceable fruit. The nine songs based on the “Beatitudes” from Matthew 5, part of the Sermon on the Mount, use another key word, “blest.” They assure that those yielding to God’s way of peace and righteousness will be blest, both now and in His Kingdom to come. The first song tells of God’s “peace beyond understanding” through Christ Jesus. Other songs use various analogies to describe the abundant fruit that comes when attached to Christ, the Vine, or when planted like a tree by a riverside. When Christ nourishes us, then our fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 -23) is “eaten” by others who give the glory to Him. The aim of the album is to give comfort in grief and trials, and as Track 13 charges, to “be not weary in doing well, for in due season we will reap.” As in the other two collections, the melodies are adapted from folk songs that have stood the test of time, beautiful and singable throughout the generations. 1. “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. 2. “ABIDE IN THE VINE,” adapted from John 15, states that the key to bearing abundant fruit is to abide in Christ, the true Vine, and He will abide in you. Then, His Spirit, love and strength will flow through the branches. The tune is an English folk song, “The Blue Alsatian Mountains,” written by Stephen Adams (1844-1913). 3. “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. 4. “THE TWO WAYS ,” adapted from Psalm 1, opens the Book of Psalms by laying out the two ways or roads one can choose. One leads to life and the other, to death. Blest is the person who chooses God’s way, avoiding evil and delighting in God and His laws. He will be like a tree that brings forth fruit in the proper season, for it is planted by a river. The music is adapted from a Scottish folk song, “Skye Boat Song,”whose tune was written by Annie MacLeod in the 1870s, with lyrics added later by Sir Harold Boulton. Our arrangement seeks to convey the rhythmic movement of oars as the boat makes its journey across quiet waters. 5. “BLEST ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT,” adapted from Matthew 5:3, begins the set of Beatitude songs in this album. Christ says, “Blest are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven .” The tune is a modified version of a Scottish folk song, “An Eriskay Love Lilt.” 6. “BLEST ARE THOSE WHO MOURN” is adapted from Matthew 5:4, Isaiah 61:3 and 66:2, Ezekiel 9:4, and I Corinthians 15:19-26. Christ says, “Blest are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Three types of mourning are addressed in the song: mourning for one’s sins, for abominations around us, and for the pain of losing loved ones. The words of the chorus assures that all of these mournings are comforted by God, Who heals the broken-hearted and is merciful and kind. The melody is adapted from a Welsh folk song, “‘Bugeilio ‘R Gwenith Gwyn.” 7. “BLEST ARE THE MEEK” is adapted from Matthew 5:5 and related Scriptures. Christ teaches, “Blest are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” The meek yield to the yoke that God chooses, a fit tailored to their shoulders. Christ, our perfect example, shows us that meekness does not mean weakness. Sometimes, He is bold to speak against hypocrisy and sin. The tune is adapted from a peaceful Scottish folk tune, “The Winter It is Past.” 8. “HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS” is adapted from Matthew 5:6 and Psalm 63. The lyrics are a prayer beseeching God for the righteousness that only comes from Him. Christ says, “Blest are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” The melody is taken from an Irish folk song, “The Irish Emigrant,” written by George Baker in the nineteenth century. 9. “BLEST ARE THE MERCIFUL,” adapted from Matthew 5:7, 18:22 , and James 2:13 , sets forth the spiritual law that invariably brings back to us what we give out. Christ says, “Blest are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” The apostle James tells us, “He shall have judgment without mercy who has shown no mercy.” The tune is adapted from a Scottish folk song, “Will Ye No’ Come Back Again?” 10. “BLEST ARE THE PURE IN HEART,” adapted from Matthew 5:8 and James 1:27 , reflects on Christ’s words, “Blest are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” These blest ones are “those of pure religion, undefiled before the Lord. They help the poor and needy, and stay unspotted from the world.” Those with such a heart are God’s delight. The melody is from a Welsh folk song written by John Hughes (1872-1914), fittingly entitled, “Oh, Pure Heart.” 11. “BLEST ARE THE PEACEMAKERS” is adapted from Matthew 5:9 and related Scriptures on peacemaking from Proverbs, Romans, Ephesians, and James. Christ says, “Blest are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” The opening words show that peacekeeping is not passive: “Pursue the things that edify, and do the things that make for peace; seek the wisdom from above, and keep God’s covenant of peace.” The tune is based on a lively Welsh Folk Song, “Let Now the Harp.” 12. “PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE,” adapted from Matthew 5:10-11 and 10:16 -42, is a sobering, yet encouraging message. Christ says, “Blest are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven .” He warns His followers that they will be hated and reviled, as He was. When this happens, He tells them not to fear men who can only kill the body, but instead, fear God, Who can destroy life forever in Gehenna’s fire. The three verses are adapted from a Scottish folk song in a minor key, “Both Sides the Tweed .” The chorus changes to another Scottish folk song, this time in a major key, entitled “Where Sleepest Thou, My Dearie?” 13. “BE NOT WEARY IN DOING WELL ,” adapted from Galatians 6:1-9, is a well-fitted to follow Track 12. No matter how painful the trials, we must do as the long-distance runner who keeps going, and as the farmer who looks to the harvest ahead. The song encourages us to “bear your own burden; help brothers who are weak” because “in due season, we will reap.” The tune is adapted from a cheerful English folk song, “Blow the Wind Southerly.” 14. “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.” 15. “FROM GLORY TO GLORY,” adapted from II Corinthians 3:18 and related Scriptures, inspires with the principle that God’s glory is formed in us little by little, day by day as we learn, choose, and keep God’s way. We go from strength to strength, and from glory to glory, until we are given God’s glory in His Kingdom. The tune is adapted from a vigorous Irish folk song about a beautiful ship, “The Queen of Connemara,” that sails “like a seagull through the gale.” 16. “A TREE BY THE RIVERSIDE,” adapted from Jeremiah 17:7-8 and Psalm 112, completes the album’s theme that peace and abundant fruit come from trusting and yielding to God. The person who delights in His commands and is merciful to the poor will not be afraid in the year of drought. He will ever be in remembrance, and like a tree planted by the riverside, will bear fruit forevermore. The melody is modified from an Irish folk song, “The Lily of the West.” Seeing "a light at the end of the tunnel" can give us courage to keep going through the dark, just as God's promises to the Israelites gave them hope in the wilderness. This collection of songs sings of that light and that hope. The songs follow one another like parts of a story. The melodies are based on the rich lore of folk songs that have been passed from generation to generation. The authors' names have been lost in the maze of time, but the tunes have had staying power over the centuries. 1. "THINK ON THESE THINGS" 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 were "Would I were Erin's apple blossom o'er you" by Alfred Graves. Then Thomas Moore used the tune for "My Gentle Harp" to the tune. Later, "Danny Boy" appeared. Hubert Parry, author of the song, "Jerusalem," called the melody "the most beautiful tune in the world." 2. "JOY WILL COME IN THE MORNING" 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 to "Loch Lomond" and the tune from a poor boy singing it on the streets of Edinburgh. 3. "TURN NOW TO ME" shows God as a Father giving a call to repentance, with His deep wish for only the good for physical Israel; for His church, the "Israel of God" ( Galatians 6:16); and eventually, for the whole world. The Scottish tune is "Turn Ye To Me," a love song. 4. "OH, LORD, YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME" is a heartfelt cry of repentance asking God to examine the psalmist and show where he needs to change. I chose "Greensleeves" as the tune because as I was setting the psalm to poetry, the words fit so smoothly to this English melody that together they inspired me. I hope they will do the same for you! As with the other folk songs, the origin of the melody is unknown,. What is obvious, however, is the tune's popularity, under different titles and versions, for at least five hundred years. 5. "HEALED BY HIS STRIPES" follows the repentant attitude of Song #4 although self-examination is a daily process, it is expecially important in preparation for the Passover service as we take the bread, we meditate on the pain Christ endured and His Body, broken for our healing. Sections of an old Irish melody from, "The Banks of the Roses," are part of the tune. 6. "BOUGHT WITH A PRICE" dwells on the precious sacrifice of the life and death of Jesus Christ, our Passover, ransoming us from death. The melody is from an old Irish air now known as "The Foggy Dew." 7. "BLESS THE LORD, OH MY SOUL" is the outpouring of praise for the blessings God gives: healing our sicknesses, forgiving our sins, and ransoming us from death. A love poem for Annie Laurie, written by William Douglas in 1685, was later set to this Scottish folk melody. 8. "SONG OF MOSES" rejoices after the deliverance at the Red Sea and continues the theme of praise for God's power to save. The origin of the rousing English tune is unknown, but it goes back to the sixteenth century. A century or so later, an unknown author wrote the words for the song,"The British Grenadiers." 9. "UNDER THE SHADOW OF HIS WINGS" 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." 10. "THANK OFFERING" is from Psalm 116, part of the Spring Holy Day "Hallel" or praise series (Psalms 113-118). The prayer expresses heartfelt thanks for past deliverance and a desire to always trust in God. The tune is based on an ancient Irish air. Around 1850 Sir Samuel Ferguson of Belfast used the melody for "The Lark in the Clear Air," a beautiful love song. 11. "OH, LORD, OUR BELOVED" is the love song of the Church to Christ, her Beloved. The music was written by Bonnie Hood Witmer, the only song in this project that is not a folk song. 12. "THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN" continues the theme of the Bride of Christ, based on the wife of Proverbs 31. Thomas Moore, who collected folk tunes and wrote his own words, used this old Irish melody for "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms." It seems especially appropriate for the "virtuous woman" as the words speak of a husband's undying love, even as his wife ages and loses the outward beauty of youth. 13. "REJOICE IN ALL THINGS" 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 old Welsh tune is set to a song called "Myfwany" meaning "Dearest." 14. "PRAISE THE LORD FOREVER" is from Psalm 113, another of the Hallel series of psalms (see song #10). This focuses on "the light at the end of the tunnel," when Christ has returned and the whole earth praises Him. His people do so now! The Irish tune is "Come Back to Erin." 15. "FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK" is more assurance of God's tender care. The tune is a beautiful English melody set to "Early One Morning." 16. "FULL OF GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT" circles back to the opening song: gracious speech is from a heart free of bitterness, is a result of dwelling on God's faithfulness, and is offered to His praise. The Welsh tune is a peaceful lullaby, “Suo Gan.”
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