Music this morning, May 24, features vocalists Tyler Gruttemeyer and Julia Olynyk, and percussionist Carlos Figueroa.
Simple Gifts
Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free, ’tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ’twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain’d, to bow and to bend we shan’t be asham’d,
To turn, turn will be our delight, ’til by turning, turning we come ’round right.
The Earth is our mother and the fullness thereof, her streets, her slums, as well as stars above.
Salvation is here where we laugh, where we cry, where we seek and love, where we live and die.
When true liberty is found, by fear and by hate we will no more be bound.
In love and in light we will find our new birth, and in peace and freedom, redeem the Earth.
‘Tis the gift to be loving, ’tis the best gift of all, like the warm spring rain bringing beauty when it falls,
And as we use this gift we might come to believe it is better to give than it is to receive.
Simple Song
Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Schwartz
Sing God a simple song, Lauda, laude*
Make it up, as you go along, Lauda, laude
Sing, like you like to sing, God loves all simple things
For God, is the simplest of all.
I will sing the Lord a new song, to praise him, to bless him, to bless the Lord
I will sing his praises, while I live, all of my days
Blessed is the man who loves the lord, blessed is the man who praises him
Lauda, lauda, laude, and walks in his ways
I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help
I will lift my voice to the Lord, singing lauda laude
For the lord, is my shade, is the shade upon my right hand
And the sun shall not smite me by day, or the moon by night.
Blessed is the man who loves the Lord
Lauda, lauda, laude
And walks in his ways
Lauda, lauda, laude
Lauda, lauda, di da di de-eh-eh
All of my days
* Both Lauda and Laude mean “Praise” in Latin
Lord of All Hopefulness
Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy:
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace:
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm:
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.