I Am a Child of God (Piano Duet)
About the Song
Melody by Mildred Pettit (Copyright 1957 LDS); Arranged by Sally DeFord This duet is meant to be played expressively. If the players charge through it like a midi machine (or a typist on an old IBM Selectric, or a pair of draft horses…) it’s just not going to sound right. Give it some feeling!
One note: I know I’m going to get myself in trouble here, but too many players are unclear on where each line is to be played. The top line of the primo is played an octave above treble clef. The top line of the secondo is played an octave below treble clef. The clefs on each staff reflect this, but to call attention to it, I’ve added a verbal note. HOWEVER, if you read the clef correctly, and then apply the verbal direction … well, it will be a mess. The instruction is there just to call attention to the hand placement, not to send the hands up or down an extra octave. 🙂
Sheet Music Downloads
Lyrics
I am a child of God
And He has sent me here
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear
Chorus:
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me
Help me find the way
Teach me all that I must do
To live with Him someday
I am a child of God
And so my needs are great
Help me to understand His words
Before it grows too late
(Repeat chorus)
I am a child of God
Rich blessings are in store
If I but learn to do His will
I’ll live with Him once more
(Repeat chorus)
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16 Comments
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This was a beautifullycomposed duet! My friend and I really enjoyed practicing it and then playing it in our ward today. I love that there are key changes, some colorful harmonies, 2 against 3 rhythms and unpredictable parts. It took an otherwise overdone hymn (that is personally one of my least favorites!) and made it enjoyable again. Many of our ward members loved it too! Thanks!
I was visiting a ward in Brigham City, Utah in November, 2021. Two older sisters played this duet and it touched my heart. It was so beautiful. I went up immediately and asked them about it. I can’t wait to play with my daughters. Thank you so much for sharing your gift and letting me have a copy.
Thank you for sharing your musical talent with those of us that aren’t able to write or arrange music, and thank you for making it free. I have copies of several of your songs, some which I have not been able to master yet. It is good for me to have that challenge. Thank you so much for sharing.
Sister DeFord,
I very much appreciate your musical talents and your desire to share so freely with the rest of us. You are a blessing. I’ve suggested to the Church that your “In That Holy Place” composition should be included in the new hymnbook. There are likely others that hopefully will be too!
My daughter and I learned to play your Child of God duet some years ago and we simply love it. However, we had printed copies which were totally separate pages for the Primo and Secondo parts. The version now on your website is different than that, showing both on the same page and all in the treble clef. Unfortunately, my daughter lent our copies to a friend who never returned them. Is it possible for you to re-post or share that older version?
Your arrangements have always been beautiful. However, with the Sacrament Meeting so short now, it is difficult to figure out how to shorten the arrangements so that they are not more than 2-3 minutes. Are you planning on publishing shorter arrangements for piano solos and duets?
Not on purpose. 🙂 “In the Church we need better music and more of it, and better speaking and less of it.” (Adam S. Bennion, LDS apostle 1953-1958)
This is the first time I have ever played a duet. I am so glad you put the little notes in there telling where we are to play. My eyes don’t work together so this will be a real challenge for me. Is there anywhere I can hear this played? Our missionaries played it at a fireside and I wish I had recorded it. It helps me to learn faster if I listen to it. I heard them practicing and then went to the fireside. They did very well.
I really like your music! You are my first choice when I am looking for something nice but not too hard to play or sing. Since I am from Germany, I just put German texts in the songs.
Please write more piano duets!!!! I really like it!
Thank you!
Our choir has sung many of your pieces and I just love them! I always feel the spirit when I sing them and when I play them. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and touching the lives of others. I recently read a book called “The Zookeeper’s Secret: Finding Your Calling in Life.” I totally think you nailed your calling! (At least one of them!) You are awesome!
Is this for one pianoor two? it seems like there is a lot of hand overlap between the parts
If you find mistakes like that, I’d love to know where so they can be corrected. 🙂
Does the top had play just in the top 2 octaves? While the lower part uses 3/4 of the piano? Just want to make sure I understand this. I am playing this with another sister in church in 6 weeks. Thanks!
The parts are played as noted. If you look at the clefs, you’ll see that the right hand of the Secondo is played an octave below treble clef. Since this doesn’t seem to be terribly evident, I’ve added a text notation to that effect. Good luck with it!
Thank you for sharing your music.
I love the piano duet “I Am a Child of God.”
Please write more piano duets.
I second the idea of more piano duets!!!!