Music
As a musician, who also loves listening to music, it's hard to pick a favourite song. Here are some that I tend to come back to again and again.
1. Look at the World - John Rutter & The Cambridge Singers
I always thought I wasn't a big fan of choral songs - but a friend sent me this song, and it quickly became one of my favourites. The beautiful melody, light and sparkling instrumentals, and the vocals meld together so well. Definitely listen to it, and take a look at John Rutter's other songs, especially from the same album 'Be Thou My Vision'.
"Look at the world: Everything all around us
Look at the world: and marvel everyday
Look at the world: So many joys and wonders
So many miracles along our way...
Look at the world: and marvel everyday
Look at the world: So many joys and wonders
So many miracles along our way...
Every good gift, all that we need and cherish
Comes from the Lord in token of his love
We are his hands, stewards of all his bounty
His is the earth and his the heavens above."
Comes from the Lord in token of his love
We are his hands, stewards of all his bounty
His is the earth and his the heavens above."
2. Still, Still with Thee - Harriet Beecher Stowe
The words to this song are beautiful and written by one of the most famous American abolitionist authors. I can't find a version with the melody I know anywhere online. It's by J. Arthur Demuth, written in 1900, and fits the words perfectly.
"Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,
When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee."
When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee."
This song is a reminder to be grateful for the small blessings we often overlook. The beauty of the sky and earth, gentle thoughts, and each hour of life we have.
Andrew Laparra has a lovely acoustic cover. A bonus tidbit, this song was featured in Little Women 1994.
"For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flow’r,
Sun and moon, and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise."
4. Unplanned - Matthew West
This song is from the movie 'Unplanned', and the lyrics are so
powerful. It reminds us of the humanity of life in the womb, and that every child has the right to life. I would love Matthew to make an acoustic version.
"I'm looking at a masterpiece
I'm staring at a work of art
I'm listening to a symphony
In every beat of your tiny heart
You used to be a choice to make
But now I think you've chosen me
'Cause I see ten fingers, ten toes
Two eyes and I know this is meant to be...
I'm staring at a work of art
I'm listening to a symphony
In every beat of your tiny heart
You used to be a choice to make
But now I think you've chosen me
'Cause I see ten fingers, ten toes
Two eyes and I know this is meant to be...
5. Do Not Worry - Ellie Holcomb
Ellie Holcomb has many beautiful songs, many of which are taken directly from scripture, especially in her older albums. A few favourites are - Man of Sorrows, My Portion and My Strength, May the Words, and We Shall Always Be With the Lord. Her unique voice and acoustic sound makes her songs stand out to me.
"So just look around you and try to listen to
The song creation sings,
And don't you worry cause you're in the hands,
Of the God who made everything"
The song creation sings,
And don't you worry cause you're in the hands,
Of the God who made everything"
Runner ups - The Wonder Of The Cross by Bethany Dillon, The Giver by Nathan Colberg, Sound of Your Voice by Steven Curtis Chapman, I Surrender by All Sons & Daughters, and Walzer La Paganini Op. 11 by Johann Strauss.
Some Albums I love - The Light Between Oceans soundtrack and The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society soundtrack.
Some Albums I love - The Light Between Oceans soundtrack and The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society soundtrack.
