Jerusalem, My Happy Home

I wanted to start throwing some demos up of songs I've written or arranged. This is a hymn text that I arranged a bit. The tune is basically the same except for a new melody for a repeated chorus, and then of course the chords are entirely different than the original. It is unclear who the original author of the text is, claims ranging from James Montgomery to St. Augustine. But the text is an excellent ode to the promised land. The text is very reminiscent of "On Jordan's Stormy Banks." Enjoy!

Jerusalem, My Happy Home by jdgoodwyne

Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time are the periods of time in the liturgical calendar following Easter and Pentecost, outside of the narrative of the life of Christ.

Ordinary Time is also a band which I find extremely impressive. From their website:

Ordinary Time is an independent folk acoustic trio rooted in the Christian tradition. Comprised of Ben Keyes (guitar, piano, mandolin), Peter La Grand (guitar, banjo, dobro), and Jill McFadden (guitar, violin), Ordinary Time presents extraordinarily rich vocal harmonies, skillful instrumentation, and thought-provoking lyrics. The band's oeuvre seamlessly weaves the hymns of generations past with their own new songs-- often indistinguishably-- producing a sound that ranges from bluegrass-tinged Americana to sacred hard hymn arrangements. The band has released three records and tours semi-annually.

Grounded in tradition, innovative in expression, and mature in musicianship, Ordinary Time offers an important and unique voice, gifting us with enduring tunes for the journey of faith.

I first stumbled across them looking for liturgical music for the season of Advent, and discovered their album In the Town of David. It wrecked me pretty good. We did several of these songs for Advent last year, and their setting of the Nunc Dmittis, "Simeon's Song" is excellent. I've been listening to their album Until He Comes, and really feasting on the song "Following."

To Follow?

Your burdens are light,

but your blessings are heavy,

almost too weighty to bear

There's a hook in this meal,

to receive is to follow,

and you won't always say where.

What fool would dare follow you?

The idea of the burdens of Christ being light, but his blessings heavy is so powerful to me. And the very reality of the weight of the Lord's supper is so strong. It is a blessing, a means of grace, an actuality, the very real presence of Christ, and to receive it is to follow Christ wherever that may be. And if that is not a scary thought, than perhaps we don't understand it. It may mean scorn, ridicule, social suicide, or even physical torment or death. It certainly means the constant process of sanctification, the burning away of impurities, the putting to death of the old man. Such are the blessings of Christ.

It may be worth it, but it's still heavy.