New Music: The Love of Christ
I thought for a while about using some fancy-schmancy poetic name for this song–“Reflections on Romans 8” or somesuch thing–but after a bit of thinking, in true Hobbit fashion, I settled on the plainest and simplest option:
Hobbits have it right.
I decided that expresses what I wanted to say best. As the Gaffer said, “Make it short, and then you won’t have to cut it short before you can use it.”
Romans 8 is such a gorgeous chapter, and the last few verses are full of such conviction and triumph that it would be one of my most well-worn pages… if digital pages actually became dogeared. As Peter, Paul’s contemporary, remarked in his writings, sometimes Paul is hard to understand. That’s often true, but not so much here. This is a chapter full of hope and promise and rejoicing and I love it.
This chapter called me for years, but since I’m not great at verbatim scriptural settings (and this song certainly isn’t one of those!) it took me until now to get around to answering.
Here’s my take on Romans 8, for Solo voice, and for Solo with optional treble duet:
Solo (in F major) by James Loynes:
And here’s the duet (in G major) sung by Rebecca Lord:
So there you have it. This song is the first one I’ve posted with a Dorico file available. If try your hand at transposing it, let me know how it goes?
Links to material in this post
Handy info…
Since you asked: How to Find Translations on This SiteFinding translations here is super easy. This is what you do: […]
Resizing Scores Using the Personal Composer DemoStep by step instructions on resizing scores or text using the Personal Composer demo. […]- Transposing Using Personal ComposerHow to transpose .pc scores using the Personal Composer Demo. Step by step instructions. […]
Your depth of love for our Savior permeates from each piece you create. Thank you for using your gifts to bless the lives of God’s children. This one moves me to tears once again.
I am so excited to find out about you! I don’t know how I could have ever missed such an amazingly talented woman! My neighbor was called as the word choir director and came over to get some help because I’ve been involved with music my whole life. My very favorite type of music are Christian Lds arrangements. I can’t wait to just bathe myself in your music thank you so very much for sharing the song we were working on last night brought me to tears. It’s incredible how quickly Music can bring the spirit to a room.
Thank you for this beautiful song based on Paul’s glorious message in Romans 8. If I’m not mistaken, you sent this update on your birthday, June 10th, making this a birthday wish from you about the Savior’s timeless gift to us.
Hi, Sally, our choir sang “Close As A Quiet Prayer” for Communion today. It was lovely.
We are members of the Community United Methodist Church of Fairfield, CA.
That is such a peaceful piece. The sentiment is encouraging. I enjoyed listening to it.
Thank you.
I love your new song – The Love of Christ. It will be a nice one for our son to sing. I love all of your music. Your music -both words and song – have touched so many hearts. God gave you a beautiful gift and you have shared it with so many. Thank you!
Absolutely gorgeous, thank you for sharing!
Hitting it home again, Sally!
Splendid text on a gorgeous melody that softens the heart!
I, too, am a proponent of the non-verbatim–the vocal music that encapsulates, summarizes a text or theme.
I hope to be able to share this on my summer gig.
Gratitude–for your composition skill that so meshes with your thoughtful texts–knows no bounds!
Beautiful melody and words. Is it okay for our music director to arrange it for our choir?
Lovely.
Thank you Sally. What a beautiful duet version.
Thank you for still sharing your talent for praising God with all.
God bless you.
Patrice
It’s lovely! Thank you so much
Sally, this is absolutely glorious! Thank you for your consecrated sacrifice of giving all your creations to the church. It blesses so many, and may the Lord bless you beyond measure for your Christ-like effort to bless all of Israel.
Sally, this new piece, The Love of Christ, is beautiful. I want to say thank you for the many outpourings of your talent and spirit. It’s amazing! I have used your website music for years in my calling as Choir Director and for my own personal enjoyment on the piano or when playing special music in Sacrament meetings. I have been given some musical talents, but I can’t put original music on paper, and I so appreciate what you are able to do. I am one of many who thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with all of us. It’s inspiring!
Again, a beautiful musical testimony of Christ.
This one made me cry.
Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Beautiful!!!!! Thank you for your generous offering of uplifting and inspiring music. I have been a fan for years and am so grateful for you!!!