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We also have other 2 arrangements of "Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends".
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More about David Welker:
I am a hobby classical guitarist. While I have had no formal musical theory or arranging training, I did play the trombone in the BYU Marching Band, - akin to staying at the Holiday Inn Express. I began playing the trombone at the age of 10 upon quitting guitar lessons because my mother said I had to play something. I started playing the guitar when I was 8 when I quit piano lessons after only one lesson, because basically I'm a quitter. Sadly, I was not mature enough to fully appreciate classical guitar at the time, so I quit that too and started playing the trombone in the band. I later began dabbling with other guitars, the banjo and even the mandolin. I picked classical back up after our first child was born when my wife told me my other guitars were just too noisy. So I bought a Yamaha Classical guitar at the main Yamaha store in Shibuya, Japan and tried to retrain myself. Recently a young man I worked with on my mission sent me "How Great Thou Art" which he had arranged for classical guitar. I played it back for him and he challenged me to arrange something myself and send it back. That something became "The Lord is My Shepherd"...and I am now slowly arranging some of my other favorite hymns...these are all arranged at my ZPD. I always stay true to the number of verses in the actual hymn, and try to mix things up in different verses so I don't get bored. There are some easier verses and some that I can just play. Feel free to play the whole arrangement, or just the verses you like! Recordings are done on my phone in the living room...often with some funny background noise! These are provided simply to give an idea of what I had in mind...as you can tell I'm still practicing... I have a list of songs I'm going to get to, so in the event anyone had a request I may move it up my list if it is there. If you would like a TABLATURE version of a song, please email me.
Hearing Sissel sing this with the Tabernacle Choir at the Pioneer Day Concert inspired me to give this a whirl. The tune is perhaps better known as "The Water is Wide", but a very fine setting for Oliver Wendell Holmes Hymn, Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends.
Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Thou gracious God, whose mercy lends
the light of home, the smile of friends,
our gathered flock thine arms enfold
as in the peaceful days of old.
Wilt thou not hear us while we raise
in sweet accord of solemn praise
the voices that have mingled long
in joyous flow of mirth and song?
For all the blessings life has brought,
for all its sorrowing hours have taught,
for all we mourn, for all we keep,
the hands we clasp, the loved that sleep.
The noontide sunshine of the past,
these brief, bright moments fading fast,
the stars that gild our darkening years,
the twilight ray from holier spheres.
We thank thee, Father; let thy grace
our loving circle still embrace,
thy mercy shed its heavenly store,
thy peace be with us evermore.
