“Hark All Ye Nations” started as a German hymn and is still well-loved their today. The hymn tune it was originally paired with is now sung with English lyrics.
Today, I have kept the original English translation, and have paired it with a six-eight version of the beloved hymn “Blessed Assurance”. Though this hymn tune is not in the current LDS hymnbook, it is beloved throughout many other Christian denominations.
Today we have a version of “For the Beauty of the Earth”, set the familiar tune of “Once in Royal David’s City”. I added a new harmonization than the one now in the LDS hymnbook.
For the Beauty of the Earth Simple (alt)
Today, I have an SATB arrangement of “I Need Thee Every Hour” set to the tune of a wonderful Norwegian carol. The tune itself is both beautiful and plaintive and fits the message of the word perfectly.
As a bonus, I have also included a version of the same music with the words of “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”, which is a German Christmas carol. Might be a while yet before you need to use that one, but then again, maybe you like to do Christmas in July. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir once recorded a Christmas concert in July in order to send to make into a PBS special, so it does happen.
One of favorite switches to make is trading off the melodies of “If You Could Hie to Kolob” and “O Savior, Thou Who Wearest”. In this version, you have the melody of “If You Could Hie to Kolob”, but both sets of words.
Enjoy!
Almost all of the arrangements I have heard of Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy have been in four part men, and I though it is a shame that there isn’t a mixed version in the hymnbook.
So, I created an arrangement that includes three parts, and throws in elements of Lead, Kindly Light, because those songs go together so well.
The story behind this one is worth reading. Here’s one account here:
http://www.tanbible.com/tol_sng/sng_letthelowerlightsbeburning.htm
