#341 "God Save the King"

This is the last hymn in the 1985 hymnal.  It is the national anthem of Great Britain.  Apparently, other English-speaking countries can add their national anthem to their respective hymnals.  I don't have access to their hymns, but according to Our Latter-day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages, by Karen Lynn Davidson.  Hymn #342 in Australia is "Advance Australia Fair"; in New Zealand, #342 is "God Defend New Zealand"; and in Canada, #342 is "O Canada".

I have really grown as a pianist/organist during 2012 as I played a hymn each day and blogged about it.  It forced me to practice the piano daily.  In other years, it amazed me how quickly the week would go by -- all of a sudden it was Sunday again and I hadn't practiced the hymns for church.  However, this year, because of playing just one hymn each day, I found myself taking the time to run through the hymns for the upcoming Sunday on a daily basis -- well, most of the time!  I have enjoyed this journey during 2012.  Should I continue and play a primary song every day in 2013 and blog about it?

#340 "The Star-Spangled Banner"

My favorite patriotic song!  This song came to mean so much to me when I sang with "The Grand Land Singers" in 1976-77.  I can't explain the feelings I had as I sang this song on stage in front of the huge flag we used as our backdrop. 

Bottom row, second from left.  June 10, 1977 at the East Los Angeles Stake Center

My last concert

(June 10, 1977)

Bottom row, second from left.  My last concert on June 10, 1977 at the East Los Angeles Stake Center.  This was the night I met my first husband, Michael Frank Ramsey.

My favorite verse of our National Anthem:

Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand

Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto:  "In God is our trust!"

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

#339 "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"

This is another favorite song of mine.  I like the third verse because of its reference to music, but my favorite verse is the fourth verse where it reads: "Long my our land be bright with freedom's holy light."

#338 "America the Beautful"

This patriotic hymn is one that we sing several times a year:  President's Day in February; Memorial Day in May; Independence Day in July; and Veteran's Day in November.  The words of the third verse are very moving--especially on Memorial Day or Veteran's Day weekend.

Oh, beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved,

And mercy more than life!

America!  America!  May God thy gold refine,

Till all success be nobleness, 

And every gain divine.

#337 "O Home Beloved"

This song for men's choir doesn't appear in the congregational section of the hymnal.  It has nice harmonies, but the text doesn't lend itself to something that would be sung in a sacrament meeting.  It is more of a nostalgic song that one might sing when they've been away from home for quite awhile. 

#336 "School Thy Feelings"

This hymn was new to me.  I was touched by the story in Karen Lynn Davidson's book, Our Latter-day Hymns, that told of what prompted the author to write the words.  Although this arrangement is for a men's choir, the last verse adds these words: "School they feelings, sister, brother; Train them in the path of right" making it appropriate for the women of the church to sing.

#335 "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy"

I really like this song.  Just recently, a male quartet sang this in the Oak Hills Ward sacrament meeting.  It was very effective.  On the last verse, they sang the hymn a capella.  I liked learning about the "lower lights" being the responsibility of the church members and Our Father will keep His mercy "brightly beaming".

#334 "I Need Thee Every Hour"

This is a nice arrangement for a men's choir.  Several years ago when I was the Stake Music Chairperson, I had a men's quartet sing it at the Saturday evening session of the Hesperia Stake Conference. 

#333 "High on the Mountain Top"

This is an arrangement for a men's choir of the congregational hymn #5. 

#332 "Come, O Thou King of Kings"

This is a good arrangement of the congregational version of hymn #59 for a men's choir.  It would be interesting to have someone write a transition between the two different keys (key of G and key of C) so that one of the verses could be sung by a men's quartet in their range.

#331 "Oh, Say, What Is Truth?"

This is a nice arrangement for a men's choir.  I would enjoy hearing a men's quartet sing this in church.

#330 "See, the Mighty Angel Flying"

I don't know why this hymn seemed familiar to me since it is a men's choir arrangement and it is unlikely that I would have heard a men's choir sing this.  Perhaps I heard it in General Conference, or just on a CD of the Hymns.  I like its repetition of words with a different tune in the last two lines of the song.

#329 "Thy Servants Are Prepared"

This men's choir arrangement is also a congregational hymn (#261).  Other than when I played #261, this hymn was new to me.

#328 "An Angel from on High"

This is a wonderful men's arrangement of the hymn which is also published for congregational singing.  (See hymn #13.)  I liked this arrangement and would love to find a quartet of men to sing this in sacrament meeting.

#327 "Go, Ye Messengers of Heaven"

This hymn was new to me, but I found out it was in the 1927 edition of the hymnbook and then omitted in the 1950 edition.  It was brought back when the 1985 hymnal was published.  It was tricky for me to play.  It is an arrangement for a men's choir, so playing it in their range makes it difficult for the fingering.  The text was written by John Taylor, the third president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

#326 "Come, Come, Ye Saints"

I am very familiar with this song as a congregational hymn.  This is a men's arrangement (TTBB) for a choir.  It was easy to play (key of C) and will always be a favorite to sing--especially around Pioneer Day on July 24th.

#325 "See the Might Priesthood Gathered"

I can honestly say that I've never attended a meeting where this hymn was sung--probably because I've never attended a priesthood meeting!  This hymn was arranged for a men's choir (TTBB).  When I played it tonight, I recognized it so I must have heard it on a recording.  I really like the harmonies and the special ending after the third verse.  I imagine this has been sung at a priesthood session of General Conference.

#324 "Rise Up, O Men of God"

This men's arrangement is easier to sing than #323, which was specially written as a men's choir arrangement.  This one (#324) was written for the 1985 hymnal for men to sing in unison or parts.  I like this one, too, but prefer the men's choir arrangement of #323.

#323 "Rise Up, O Men of God"

I really like this men's choir arrangement for this hymn.  I was surprised to find out it was included in the 1948 hymnal.  There are two more verses written for this hymn that are not included in our present hymnbook.  (I found the verses listed in Karen Lynn Davidson's book Our Latter-day Hymns.)

#322 "Come, All Ye Sons of God"

This is another hymn that would make a great song for a missionary farewell or homecoming.  I don't think I've ever heard this hymn sung before (other than on a CD recording of the Hymnbook.)  I haven't heard anyone sing it in sacrament meeting, but it would be easy to teach to a men's quartet.

#321 "Ye Who Are Called to Labor"

This is another good hymn for a missionary farewell or homecoming.  It is arranged for a men's choir and would be very effective sung as a quartet.  It wasn't difficult to play and is probably easy to sing.

#320 "The Priesthood of Our Lord"

This new hymn is a unison men's hymn.  There is a notation at the bottom of the hymnbook that it can be sun without accompaniment as a round in unison by beginning every two measures.  However, the composer stated in Our Latter-day Hymns by Karen Lynn Davidson, that he felt a round would best be sung around a campfire and not in a sacrament meeting.
I have a handwritten note in my personal hymnal that this hymn could be combined with the children's song "The Priesthood is Restored"  (Children's Songbook, page 89).  That would be interesting to try someday.  This hymn would be effective when celebrating the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood--around May 15th.

#319 "Ye Elders of Israel"

This men's arrangement is one of my favorites!  I love the tenor II line in the last two measures where it goes above the tenor I.  This is a great hymn to use for a missionary farewell or homecoming.  We've even used it in our ward as a choir number. 

#318 "Love at Home"

This is a nice SSA women's arrangement of a beloved hymn.  It would be nice to sing for Mother's Day by a women's trio.  It would also work for a Relief Society program.

#317 "Sweet Is the Work"

This women's arrangement would be nice as a Relief Society hymn or as a special trio for sacrament meeting.  It is in a different key than Hymn #147.  There is a men's arrangement in the 1950 edition of the hymnal that could be used as a quartet.  All three versions could be put together with interludes that would include a transition to the new key and it would make a nice choir arrangement.  There is a free accompaniment for the fourth verse by Robert Manookin in the Choirbook, which was published by the church in 1980.  I wish I knew how to write transitions!

#316 "The Lord Is My Shepherd"

The women's arrangement to this hymn is really nice.  As an alto, it's fun to be able to have the melody once in a while.  I would sing this SSA arrangement as written.

#315 "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee"

I really like the softness of this hymn.  In my personal hymnal I have notes for singing it in a choir:
Verse 1:  Soprano solo
Verse 2:  SSA trio as written (Hymn #315); modulate to key of G and use hymn #141
Verse 3:  SATB from Hymn #141
Verse 4:  SATB from Hymn #141 and use a tag ending by repeating the first three measures and words of verse 1.

#314 "How Gentle God's Commands"

I wrote about this hymn on day #125.  It would be nice to have Hymn #125 (key of F) and this hymn (key of G) where you could modulate between the hymns and have a nice arrangement.  I don't know how to write a transition between the two keys, but it would be nice to begin in the key of F and sing it SATB and then modulate up to the key of G and use this women's arrangement in a special choir number.

#313 "God Is Love"

This hymn was discussed when I wrote about Hymn #87, which is the SATB congregation version of this song.  I have a note in my personal hymnal to sing the song like this:
Verse 1:  Use the version in the 1948 hymnal (#30) and sing as a solo or SATB
Verse 2:  SSA (Hymn #313)
Verse 3:  SATB (Hymn #30 from the 1948 hymnal)

#312 "We Ever Pray for Thee"

This hymn was discussed when Hymn #23 was played back on January 23rd.  Hymn #312 is a women's arrangement that I remember singing years ago as part of a trio.  I like this women's arrangement when it is sung a capella.  It makes a lovely musical setting for a special trio for sacrament meeting or a Relief Society meeting.

#311 "We Meet Again As Sisters"

When I read the information about this hymn in Karen Lynn Davidson's book, Our Latter-Day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages, I found some interesting information.  Bonnie Goodliffe, a Tabernacle Choir organist, said that she wrote this hymn to have an interesting alto part (since she is an alto).  In the third line, the melody goes to the altos!  (Since I am an alto, too, I appreciate that.)  It was also noted that this hymn could be sung to the tune  "St. Theodulph", which is Hymn #69 "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" in the 1985 hymnal.  The two different hymn tunes make for either a powerful message or a devotional message.  It would be fun to try the tune change.  Also, the composer writes that the left-hand part is strictly an accompaniment and was not intended to be sung.  This is just a two-part women's hymn.

#310 "A Key Was Turned in Latter Days"

This hymn about the Relief Society is new to the 1985 hymnal.  The tune was not easy for me and it isn't very "catchy".  That may be the reason it isn't sung much in Relief Society.  It isn't my favorite.

#309 "As Sisters in Zion"

This song was a welcome addition to the 1985 hymnal.  This is such a perfect hymn for Relief Society.  When I read about the history of the hymn, I was surprised to find out the text was written in 1874.  Janice Kapp Perry wrote the music while waiting for her tour bus to be repaired.  It is a favorite of the sisters of Relief Society.  I like the simple tune and the text.

#308 "Love One Another"

This is a great hymn.  I remember learning a choir version of it years ago in the old Monterey Park Ward.  "There they were in the upper chamber, Jesus and his disciples.  There to eat the supper of the passover e'er the end should come.  Then Jesus looked in their faces and unto them He spake..." and then it would go into the chorus, which ends up being the hymn we have in the 1985 hymnal.
This hymn is also included in the current Children's Songbook along with the American Sign Language signs for the text.
This is a favorite of the congregation, the choir, and the primary children.  It is already a classic!

#307 "In Our Lovely Deseret"

I remember teaching this to the primary children for a sacrament meeting program years ago.  However, I don't remember singing it in my youth.  It has a catchy rhythm and tune.  When the 1985 edition of the hymnbook came out, the congregation in the Baldy Mesa Branch learned this, too.  I was the Ward Music Director at the time and back then we had some time during the opening exercises of Sunday School for "Worship Through Music" and that's when I first remember learning it. 

#306 "God's Daily Care"

This hymn is another Primary Children's song that isn't sung too often.  I like the simpleness of the words and the melody line.  It is unusual because, rather than talking about the setting of the sun and the end of the day, it talks about the rising sun.  This would be a nice one to sing with a children's choir.  It is also good to have available on those days when you know you will need a short opening or closing hymn.

#305 "The Light Divine

I remember learning this in Primary as a young girl, but I don't think I've played it much or sung it much since then.  I like the tune a lot--especially the harmonies.  The text has a great message, too.  I would like to sing this more often, but most people don't seem to be familiar with it.

#304 "Teach Me to Walk in the Light"

This is another wonderful primary song that I learned in my youth and have loved for years.  I remember being about 11 years old and learning to play it by ear.  (I didn't play it in the correct key, but it still worked!)  I remember being very proud of myself for figuring it out.  It was probably one of the first songs I taught myself.  (The other being "Joy to the World".)  This will always be a favorite song of mine!

#303 "Keep the Commandments"

I remember teaching this in Primary for the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation years ago.  I really like the song--both its tune and its message.  The children like it, too.  The Children's Songbook lists a second verse that isn't in the hymnbook.

#302 "I Know My Father Lives"

This is another primary song that the children love to sing.  I love its simplicity--both in words and music.  It really sounds best when sung in unison without any fancy accompaniment.  Just focus on the message of the text.

#301 "I Am a Child of God"

This is an LDS classic hymn and my favorite children's song.  I've probably played this song more than any other in the hymnbook.  I remember learning this song when I was a little kid growing up in the Monterey Park Ward.  Back then, the words of the chorus read, "Teach me all that I must know / to live with him some day."  After a suggestion from Spencer W. Kimball, the line was changed to read "Teach me all that I must do / to live with him some day." 

In the Children's Songbook, there is an additional verse:

 I am a child of God

His promises are sure

Celestial glory shall be mine

If I can but endure.

I remember teaching this verse for a Primary Children's Sacrament Meeting presentation.  This song continues to be a favorite with the children.  I was glad to see it was placed on the first page of the Children's Songbook!

#300 "Families Can Be Together Forever"

I remember when this song was first written for a Children's Sacrament Meeting presentation. At that time I was the Primary Music Director in our ward and I immediately loved the message and tune of this hymn.  It became a favorite with the primary children, too.  We've sung this in primary and sacrament meeting many, many times.  It is definite favorite of mine!

#299 "Children of Our Heavenly Father"

I first heard this hymn at a funeral held in a Lutheran church for my friend's father.  He was Swedish and this hymn tune is a Swedish melody.  The second verse is the one that makes it appropriate for a funeral:
Neither life nor death can ever from the Lord his children sever; Unto thme his grace he showeth, and their sorrows all he knoweth.
I don't remember singing this for choir, but there are notes in my personal hymnal that has it organized like this:
Verse 1: SATB
Verse 2: Women in unison
Verse 3: Unison with Free accompaniment.  I don't know if this hymn has a free accompaniment from T. T. Noble, or if I wrote that because this well-known hymn tune would somewhere have a free accompaniment available.

#298 "Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth"

This is another new hymn in the 1985 hymnal.  It has a nice message and an upbeat tune.  We've used it several times in sacrament meeting.  The accidentals made it a little tricky to play, but with practice I should do fine in the future.

#297 "From Homes of Saints Glad Songs Arise"

This is a new hymn to the 1985 hymnal.  I like the words and the upbeat tune.  We sing this hymn on occasion in sacrament meeting, but usually only if the theme of the meeting is about families or music. 

#296 "Our Father, by Whose Name"

This hymn is new to the 1985 hymnal.  The Oak Hills Ward Choir sang it as follows:

Verse 1:  Men unison
Verse 2:  SATB
Verse 3:  Women unison for measures 1-14.  Men join in unison on the last note of measure 14.

I also have a note that Darwin Wolford has a nice arrangement of this hymn which was published by Sonos in 1996.

It  was easy to play and sing.

#295 "O Love That Glorifies the Son"

This song isn't very familiar, but I have a note in my personal hymnal that the Oak Hills Ward Choir sang it on August 10, 1997.  Here's how we did it:

Verses 1-2  Women in unison measures 1-5.  Add alto on the last note of measure 5.  Add tenor and bass on the last note of measure 9.
Verses 3-4  SATB

Other than that, I don't remember singing it before or since.

#294 "Love at Home"

This is another classic LDS hymn that I've sung since my youth.  I remember my mom would start singing it to us when we (her children) got into arguments with each other.  One of my favorite arrangements of this hymn came at the end of a drama production we did while I was in high school.  The play was "House Talk" and at the end we sang "Love at Home".  Another of my favorite arrangements of this hymn is one done by the Osmond Brothers. 

I've used this hymn as a choir number and a congregational hymn and will continue to schedule it in the future.

#293 "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good"

When this hymn appeared in the 1985 hymnal, it quickly became one of my favorites.  My mom has already told me that she wants this hymn sung at her funeral.  I hope that is many, many years from now!

We have used this hymn as a choir number and a congregational hymn.  It isn't the easiest hymn to play because of the stretches of the fingers, but I will continue to work on improving the way I play it.

#292 "O My Father"

This is a classic LDS hymn with its doctrinal teaching about having a Heavenly Mother.  "In the heav'ns are parents single?  No, the thought makes reason stare!  Truth is reason; truth eternal tells me I've a mother there."

I've sung and played this hymn many times.  I currently use it as part of my weekly prelude and I've played it at many funerals.  It will always be a favorite hymn of mine.

#291 "Turn Your Hearts"

This hymn was new to the 1985 hymnal and it is one we learned and used several times over the years.  Its message about temple work for the living and the dead is relevant.  This hymn was a little tricky to play, but I like it!

#290 "Rejoice, Ye Saints of Latter Days"

This hymn seemed new to me, but I read in Karen Lynn Davidson's book, Our Latter-Day Hymns, that the words were revised from a hymn written for the 1945 Idaho Falls Temple Dedication.  The musical setting is new for the 1985 hymnal.  I think this hymn would work well for a sacrament meeting about temples.

#289 "Holy Temples on Mount Zion"

I recognized this hymn as soon as I began to play it today, but it is another one of those rarely used hymns.  I think I remember singing it at a fireside about temple work, but that's about it.  I don't have any special notes or markings in my personal hymnbook, so there isn't much else to say!

#288 "How Beautiful Thy Temples, Lord"

I wasn't very familiar with this hymn, but I was able to play it.  The timing was a little tricky.  This hymn isn't sung much, but would be a good hymn for a sacrament meeting with the theme of "Temple Work".

#287 "Rise, Ye Saints, and Temples Enter"

This hymn is new to the 1985 hymnal and I don't recall ever singing it.  However, in my personal hymnal I have written that the choir sang it on 7-13-97, so I must have sung it back then.  I have phrasing markings in my hymnal, as well.  The message is nice and the tune is by Robert P. Manookin, who is a well-known LDS composer.

#286 "Oh, What Songs of the Heart"

I wasn't familiar with this hymn until our ward choir director asked the choir to learn it back in January 1998.  I have notes in my personal hymnal that the choir sang it on January 11, 1998.  The choir director wanted us to learn it so that we could help the congregation learn it and sing it at a later date.  I don't really remember singing it with the choir, but I remember singing it as a member of the congregation in March of 1998.  Why would I remember that kind of detail?  My first husband, Mike Ramsey, died on February 23, 1998.  When the congregation sang this hymn in March, the words really touched my heart.  Verse two has the following words:  "Tho our rapture and bliss there's no song can express, We will shout, we will sing o'er and o'er, As we greet with a kiss, And with joy we caress all our loved ones that passes on before."  These words really touched me when we sang them that day.  I remember having tears fall down my cheeks and that I had a difficult time singing the song.

#285 "God Moves in a Mysterious Way"

This is a very old hymn text.  I think I remember hearing it as a youth.  I've used it one or two times in a sacrament meeting since I've been the Ward Music Chairman.  The timing always confuses me, however.  I like the message of the words, and the tune is fine--I'm just not sure how to handle the 3/2 timing.

#284 "If You Could Hie to Kolob"

I  love this hymn!  The words and music work together perfectly.  In the 1950 hymnal it was included in the Choir section and was set to a different tune that just wasn't sung very often.  This new tune is very ethereal and fits the words in a way that really brings the spirit of the message.  I've used this as a choir number several times, at a funeral, and as a congregational hymn.  This is one I will continue to use!

#283 "The Glorious Gospel Light Has Shone"

The words to this hymn are distinctly LDS in nature, but the tune is an alternate to the Christmas hymn "While Shepherds Watched Their Flock By Night".  This hymn would be good to use in a meeting that has the theme of Temple Ordinances for the Dead.

#282 "We Meet Again in Sabbath School"

This is another Sunday School song that isn't used much now that we don't have a separate service for the Sunday School.  As I looked over the words, it seems that it would still be appropriate for use in a sacrament meeting.

#281 "Help Me Teach with Inspiration"

This hymn was new to me, but the message about teaching the gospel is very appropriate for me as someone who teaches second grade children as a career.  In a church setting, we need to teach with inspiration and with the spirit of the Lord.  This hymn is short, but the original hymn contained two more verses, according to Our Latter-day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages by Karen Lynn Davidson. 

#280 "Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath Morning"

This song was one of my favorites to sing during Sunday School as a youth growing up in the old Monterey Park Ward.  I liked the cheery message and tune.  Even though I didn't understand music theory as a youth, I knew that something changed during the song that piqued my interest.  As an adult, I understand the change of key from "C" to "G" and back to "C" makes the song interesting. 

#279 "Thy Holy Word"

This simple hymn has a powerful message about the scriptures.  The eighth notes at the beginning of each measure is unusual enough that it kind of catches the singer off guard--but I like it!

#278 "Thanks for the Sabbath School"

Even though this song sounds very old-fashioned, I still really like it!  I remember singing it many times in the old Monterey Park Ward Sunday School.  Now that there isn't a separate service for Sunday School, this song has lost its popularity.  I haven't scheduled it in a very long time.

#277 "As I Search the Holy Scriptures"

When this hymn was added to the 1985 edition of the LDS hymnbook, it became a favorite.  I remember that it wasn't long after its inclusion that it was part of the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation.  I was the Primary Music Director the year it was included in the annual program.  This short hymn packs a powerful message about doing more than just reading the scriptures--we need to search them.  This is a hymn that I have used many times for primary and sacrament meeting.  It is a timeless message and a perfect match with the tune.  I will continue to use this hymn over and over.

#276 "Come Away to the Sunday School"

I remember singing this song many times in the Sunday School Meeting when I was growing up in the Monterey Park Ward.  Now that we don't have a separate service for Sunday School, this song is rarely sung.  I love the rhythms and tune of this hymn.  I especially like the chorus where the men echo the women in "Then away, haste away!" and "Then away, do not delay!"  It was fun to sing this song in my youth.

#275 "Men Are That They Might Have Joy"

This hymn was new to me.  It was included in the choir section of the 1950 hymnal, and I don't think I'd ever heard it before playing it today.  The tune is nice and the words speak of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.  It would be the perfect song to sing when studying 2 Nephi 2:25.

#274 "The Iron Rod"

I remember singing this song in my youth, but something that happened at the Alhambra Ward Early Morning Seminary class during my senior year sticks with me.  We were studying Lehi's Dream in 1 Nephi 8 and President Teddy M. Waters (East Los Angeles Stake President and my seminary teacher) asked what the iron rod represented.  I raised my hand and answered "the word of God".  He was impressed and asked how I knew that since we hadn't read the interpretation of Lehi's Dream yet.  I replied, "Because of the song about the iron rod.  It says 'the iron rod is the word of God'."  Thanks to this hymn,  I knew the answer!

I like the tune and words to this hymn.  I especially like it when congregations sings all five verses so that the full message is presented and sung.

As a side note, I have been collecting pictures from the Ensign magazine since 1996 about Lehi's Dream.  I have a notebook with all I've collected.  So far, there are about 30 different pictures by LDS artists in my collection!

#273 "Truth Reflects upon Our Senses"

This hymn has a very nice message about not judging others.  I've always liked the thoughtful message and the tune that goes with it.  It is easy to play and sing, too!

#272 "Oh, Say, What Is Truth?"

I first remember singing this hymn when I attended my cousin's (Dennis Benton) missionary farewell in the Santa Susana/Simi Valley area.  It was a hymn that I don't recall singing prior to attending his sacrament meeting.  I remember liking the words and the tune.  I've used this hymn a few times in our ward for the congregation.

#271 "Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love"

I didn't realize the meaning of this hymn until I read all five verses in the 1985 hymnal.  With General Conference coming up in just a little over a week, I realize that our belief in continuing revelation is central to our creed.  The "holy words" refer to the scriptures of old, and the new messages from our prophet and other church leaders.

This hymn first appeared in the 1892 Deseret Sunday School Song Book, and I could tell by the tune that it was from that time period.  The tune is okay, but the message (to me) deserves a better tune.  (Hey, this is my blog, so I can state my opinion!)

#270 "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go"

The Oak Hills Ward has had up to as many as eight missionaries out at one time during the past two years and this hymn was sung at each of their farewells.  Larice Music has an arrangement of this hymn in their series "Hymns of Worship, vol. 6".  I haven't used it yet, but it's nice to have as a resource.

#269 "Jehovah, Lord of Heaven and Earth"

I like the tune of this hymn.  The words in the 1985 LDS hymnal are different from the standard Protestant hymn that begins with "All hail the power of Jesus' name!  Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown him Lord of all."
T.T. Noble has a free accompaniment for this hymn.

#268 "Come, All Whose Souls Are Lighted"

This hymn title was changed from the 1950 hymnal.  The old title, "From Greenland's Icy Mountains", didn't explain the true message of the hymn.  I don't remember ever singing or playing this hymn before today.  I was surprised that there is a footnote stating that it was included in the original 1835 hymnal.  Apparently, other Christian denominations have been singing it for years, too.  The 1985 edition has put the third verse as the first verse and eliminated the second verse.  A few other word changes were made, too.  It was easy to play.  It would make a nice song for a missionary farewell.

#267 "How Wondrous and Great"

The music to this hymn was written by the classical composer, Johann Michael Haydn (1737-1806). 
T.T. Noble has a free accompaniment written to this hymn.  Our ward choir used this hymn as a special musical number several years ago.  We added a tag ending after the second verse.

#266 "The Time Is Far Spent"

I laughed when I read that the tune to this hymn is a German drinking song called "Krambambule".  The tune certainly is lively!  However, the message of this hymn is that we need to spread the gospel quickly to all the world because Jesus is returning soon.   

#265 "Arise, O God, and Shine"

This is another new and wonderful missionary-themed hymn in the 1985 hymnal.  I have notes in my personal hymnal to use the words of "An Angel From on High" (Hymn #13) and "Rejoice, the Lord Is King" (Hymn #66).  It works very well to both!  I like the tune of this hymn.  It seems very majestic.  I think I first started to like it when I heard it sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  They have a very nice arrangement of "Arise, O God, and Shine".  Our ward doesn't seem to be very familiar with it, but as long as I keep scheduling it, they will soon be more assure of themselves when they sing it.

#264 "Hark, All Ye Nations!"

This hymn was new to the 1985 hymnal, but apparently the Saints of Austria/Germany/Switzerland were familiar with it.  (See "Our Latter-day Hymns", by Davidson.)  Maybe that's why I enjoy its message and tune--my Swiss roots!  This is such a great missionary hymn, but it doesn't seem to be well-known in the congregations of the United States.  I will have to be sure to schedule it more often so that the congregation can learn it.

#263 "Go Forth with Faith"

This hymn is new to the 1985 edition of the hymnbook.  I loved reading in Karen Lynn Davidson's book, Our Latter-day Hymns,  about the story behind this hymn.  It was originally written by the author and composer for their own son's missionary farewell.  The original title was "Go Forth, My Son".  It would be very effective to change the hymn's words for a missionary farewell and sing "Go Forth, My Son".  I like the message and tune of this hymn.  I would use this in sacrament meeting, as well as for a choir or soloist. 

#262 "Go, Ye Messengers of Glory"

When I first played this hymn today, I thought it was new to the 1985 hymnal.  I was surprised to find out that the words were written by John Taylor (3rd President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)  I don't think I've ever sung or played this song before.  It is a missionary hymn, so it would be nice for a missionary farewell.

#261 "Thy Servants Are Prepared"

This would be a great missionary hymn.  It's new to the 1985 hymnal, which includes a Men's arrangement on Hymn #329.  It seemed fairly easy to sight-read this hymn today.  I've never used it for a choir or a congregational hymn, but it wouldn't be too difficult to teach it to the ward choir and have them introduce it to the congregation.

#260 "Who's on the Lord's Side?"

This is another song I've sung since I was a youth.  It's fun to sing and not too difficult to play.  We've sung this a few times since I've been the ward organist.

#259 "Hope of Israel"

This is another great hymn that I have sung since I was a kid.  I like the message and the tune.  I've played it enough times that it is easy to play, too.  My favorite line is "Onward, onward, youth of Zion; Thy reward the victor's crown."

#258 "O Thou Rock of Our Salvation"

This is a classic hymn that I have been singing since my youth.  I like the powerful feeling that the chorus evokes.  I especially like how the fourth verse changes in the chorus:  "Then, O Rock of our salvation, Jesus, Savior of the world, Take us from our lowly station; Let our flag with thee be furled."  (Notice that the author of the text capitalized "Rock".)  This is very similar to the words of the first verse.
I will continue to schedule this hymn for use in sacrament meeting.

#257 "Rejoice! A Glorious Sound Is Heard"

This hymn seemed new to me.  In earlier editions of the LDS Hymnbook it was titled "Oh Hark! A Glorious Sound Is Heard", but it still didn't seem familiar to me.  When I played it, I could tell how the words could easily be sung to the tune of #256 "As Zion's Youth in Latter Days".  Today's hymn was easy to play, but I think I prefer the tune of #256.  There should be a way to use the three verses of #257 to the words of #256 and have a really nice message about missionary work and the youth of the church.

#256 "As Zion's Youth in Latter Days"

I first heard this melody at a BYU Church Music Workshop that I attended years ago in Provo, Utah.  The song was "Thy Word is Like a Garden, Lord" and the Workshop Choir learned it for their concert.  Someday I want to use that arrangement with the words to this hymn.  (I need to learn to play the special arrangement first!)
This is such a wonderful match of text and tune.  I really want to have the youth in my ward learn this and love it as I do! 
The "Thy Word is Like a Garden, Lord" arrangement we used was by Benjamin Harlan by Shawnee Press, #A-6869.

#255 "Carry On"

This hymn brings back memories of me being at Girls' Camp at Cumorah Crest in the San Gabriel Mountains as a youth.  I guess because the first line is "Firm as the mountains around us..." it was often chosen as a morning devotional song at camp.  That is where I first learned to love this song.  When I learned to sing alto, I loved the harmony in the chorus--especially since the notes of the melody line were too high for me to sing properly.  I usually schedule this hymn around Pioneer Day (July 24th).

#254 "True to the Faith"

This is such a fun song to sing, but it is a bear to play the chorus!  As a youth, I remember purposely singing "Yes!" at the part where you are supposed to sing "No!" and "No!" where you are supposed to sing "Yes!"--right before the chorus.  I guess if that's as rebellious as I got, that would have been okay.

Although I have a difficult time playing it properly, I will continue to schedule this hymn for sacrament meeting. 

#253 "Like Ten Thousand Legions Marching"

Until today, I had never heard or played this hymn before.  In fact, I had to go to the church website and listen to it once before I attempted to play it.  I read in Karen Lynn Davidson's book, Our Latter-day Hymns,  that the text is about missionary work going forward like a Roman legion.  The tune was a little tricky for me because of the dotted rhythms in the soprano line, but it seemed like it would be easy enough for a ward choir to learn.  I don't know if I would schedule this hymn for sacrament meeting because of its unfamiliarity.  I would have to teach it to a choir first, and then have the congregation join in on the last verse.

#252 "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel"

This is a great song!  Our ward choir made a medley using it with the children's song "Pioneer Children Sang as They Walked".  It worked well!  I love to play and sing this song.  It has a great message that everyone needs to help and work. 

#251 "Behold! A Royal Army"

Another "military" song that has a good marching tempo!  The chorus of "Victory, victory, Thru him that redeemed us! Victory, victory, Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!" is even more powerful because of its unison setting.  Then it repeats those same words, but in harmony.  I think that makes it very effective.

#250 "We Are All Enlisted"

This is a fun one to sing and play.  I like to sing the chorus, "Happy are we!"  The message reminds us that we don't just need to "endure to the end" with somber faces, but to be happy about it.

#249 "Called to Serve"

This is a favorite hymn for missionary farewells at church and for the primary children to sing.  I love it!  I remember learning it in primary as a youth.  There are a few word changes, and when I read Karen Lynn Davidson's Our Latter-Day Hymns, I recognized the old words that I learned as a child. 

This song will always be a favorite of many people.My favorite memory of this song is of seeing and hearing it sung at General Conference by a chorus of missionaries from the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.  It was very inspiring!

#248 "Up, Awake, Ye Defenders of Zion"

This tune is "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean".  The words were written about the problems the Saints had in Missouri with the mobs threatening them.

My favorite memory of this song is from 1986 when I directed the Baldy Mesa Branch's Roadshow called "The Wonderful World of Spices".  We used this tune and changed the words for our finale about "Salt" being the hero of the day.

#247 "We Love Thy House, O God"

This simple hymn has a nice message about God's house being a house of honor, joy, prayer, peace, and comfort.  It is easy to play and sing.  I've used it as both a choir hymn and a congregational hymn.

#246 "Onward, Christian Soldiers"

The "march" quality of this hymn makes it a favorite of many.  I like the chorus--especially the tenor line.  This hymn is a little tricky for me to play, but I still like to schedule it for sacrament meeting.

#245 "This House We Dedicate to Thee"

I don't recall ever having sung this hymn, but my personal hymnal has the date "6-30-96" written on it, so apparently our ward choir sang it that day in sacrament meeting.  Because of its message as a church building dedicatory hymn, it isn't sung very often.

#244 "Come Along, Come Along"

This isn't one of my favorite hymns and I've only used it once in sacrament meeting.  I find it monotonous for some reason.  The message is nice, but the tune seems to just go on and on.

#243 "Let Us All Press On"

This is another classic and fun song to sing.  I love the alto part in this hymn!  The typical congregational singer just sings the melody line, so it's really fun to use this with choir so you can hear all the parts in the chorus.  We sing this one often in our ward.

#242 "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow"

A classic hymn!  I like to use this in the month of November (around Thanksgiving) or whenever the sacrament meeting topic is "Gratitude".
T.T. Noble has a free accompaniment to this hymn that would be nice to use.

#241 "Count Your Blessings"

This is one of my favorite hymns because of its message and tune.  I schedule this one several times a year, but always in November--near Thanksgiving. 

#240 "Know This, That Every Soul Is Free"

The notes at the bottom of the hymn mention that it was included in the first LDS hymnbook in 1835.  However, in the 1927 hymnal, the tune was changed because it wasn't sung very often.  The same thing happened in the 1950 hymnbook.  For the 1985 hymnbook committee, another tune change was made because it still wasn't widely known or sung.  I'm afraid that is still the case.  The words and message are wonderful, but no one seems to sing it.  I'm not sure why.  Perhaps it is just unfamiliar to the general congregation so it isn't chosen for sacrament meeting.  Maybe if the Mormon Tabernacle Choir recorded a version of it, it would become more popular.

#239 "Choose the Right"

This is a well-loved hymn that just happens to be the "Hymn of the Year" for Primary this year (2012).  It will be featured in our annual Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation later this year.  I've sung this song since I was in primary and have always liked it. 

#238 "Behold Thy Sons and Daughters, Lord"

This hymn was new to me.  I have markings in my book from a time I attended a Church Music Workshop at BYU, but I've never sung or played it in a sacrament meeting or a baptismal service.  It is meant to be sung at a confirmation after a baptism, so there aren't that many opportunities to sing it.  The words are lovely, however!

#237 "Do What Is Right"

This classic song is always a fun one to sing.  The 1950 hymnal was marked to show that you sing the chorus staccato on the words "Do what is right; let the consequence follow" and then it was to be sung smoothly on the rest of the chorus.  The 1985 hymnal doesn't show the staccato markings, but I always play it in the style in which I learned it as a youth.

#236 "Lord, Accept into Thy Kingdom"

The words of this text would work well at a baptismal service--that is, if anyone was familiar enough with this hymn!  Although it was present in the 1950 hymnal, it was new to me.  I've never sung it or played it until today!  It's a nice tune--and when I saw that Alexander Schreiner wrote the music, I knew why!

#235 "Should You Feel Inclined to Censure"

The tune for this hymn, LOWER LIGHTS, is the same as #335 "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy".  It would work nicely to interchange the words so that a full SATB choir could sing the words of #335 with the SATB arrangement of #235.  Both tunes are by Philip Paul Bliss. 

#234 "Jesus, Mighty King in Zion"

Although this hymn's footnote states that it was included in the first LDS hymnbook in 1835, it wasn't familiar to me.  The words of the second verse are perfect for a baptismal service, however, since most congregations aren't familiar with it either, it would be a challenge to sing it. 
I have a note in my personal hymnal to sing this hymn and then directly go into Hymn #238 "Behold Thy Sons and Daughters, Lord", which is about receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Since neither of these hymns are very familiar to the average congregation, it would be nice to find a quartet to sing these two hymns at a baptismal service.

#233 "Nay, Speak No Ill"

This hymn always shows up during a Relief Society lesson on gossiping.  The text teaches us to choose "the kinder plan".  The change in time may be tricky for those not familiar with the hymn.

#232 "Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words"

I like the version of this song that is in the 1985 hymnal because it says "Duet" in the verse and "Harmony" in the chorus part.  The 1950 version was more difficult to play, too.  I am glad the committee for the 1985 hymnbook made the changes.

#231 "Father, Cheer Our Souls Tonight"

This hymn was new to me.  I like the message and the tune.  This could work as a closing hymn--especially if it was sung in the evening.

#230 "Scatter Sunshine"

This "sunshine" song is the last one in the "Sunshine Medley".  I like the happy tune and cheerful nature of this song.  The triplets are a little tricky for me, but other than that it was easy to play.

#229 "Today While the Sun Shines"

This song's message is "Get it done TODAY!"  The word "today" is sung 28 times in this song.  There has been a phrase change in the 1985 edition.  The last line used to read: "There is no tomorrow, but only today."  To better express what the message actually means, the last line now reads:  "Prepare for tomorrow by working today."

#228 "You Can Make the Pathway Bright"

I've sung this song for years and have always enjoyed the happy message.  It goes along great with the other "Sunshine" songs on pages 226-230.

#227 "There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today"

In the old hymnbook it was titled "There's Sunshine in My Soul Today" and the first two notes were slurred.  It makes more sense to use the first two notes with "There is".  I am disappointed that the 1985 version doesn't have the fun bass and tenor line where they repeat and sing in the chorus.  I do have to say that the 1985 version is easier to play!

#226 "Improve the Shining Moments"

I have happy memories of my dad humming this song as he shaved as he got ready for church on Sundays.  I especially remember him singing the second verse:  "Time flies on wings of lightning; We cannot call it back."

I have a note in my personal hymnal to sing a "Sunshine Medley" by singing the first verse of the hymns on pages 226, 227, 228, 229, and 230.  Each song is in the key of G, so you could sing each one without an interlude between the hymns. 

I also have a note that you can switch the words and music of hymns #226 and #251:  "Improve the Shining Moments" and "Behold! A Royal Army".  I don't think I've actually tried it in a church setting, but I sang it in my mind and it works!

#225 "We Are Marching On to Glory"

This hymn has a catchy rhythm.  You truly feel like you are marching as you sing it.  I don't have any markings in my personal hymnal, so I can assume that I've never played it for a church service.  I am familiar with it, however.  I haven't scheduled it for a sacrament meeting, but if the theme of the meeting was about the second coming, I think this hymn would work nicely.

#224 "I Have Work Enough to Do"

This song wasn't too familiar to me.  I don't particularly like it or dislike it.  I don't think I'd ever played it prior to today, but I have heard it before.  I probably wouldn't schedule it for a sacrament meeting unless the theme of the meeting specifically applied to the message of this hymn.

#223 "Have I Done Any Good?"

I like the addition in the 1985 hymnal of a word change in the second verse that reads, "Only he who does something helps others to live.  To God each good work will be known."  The old verse said "Only he who does something is worthy to live, The world has no use for the drone."
The new hymnal doesn't include the tempo markings.  I find that I still play the hymn with the ritard at measure 12: "Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?" and then a tempo at "When they needed my help was I there?"
Another thing I liked better in the old hymnal was the bass and tenors had the words, "your mansion above" as kind of an echo at measures 19-20.  It isn't written like that in the 1985 hymnal.

#222 "Hear Thou Our Hymn, O Lord"

This is a simple tune and text, but I like it.  It was kind of funny this morning when I went to play my "Hymn of the Day" and without paying attention to the words, I just played the notes and in my mind I sang the words to "We Give Thee But Thine Own" and they fit perfectly!  Then I checked the back of the hymnbook where it lists the meters of the hymns, and sure enough--both hymns are listed under "Short Meter (6 6 8 6)".
I've used this hymn as a choir prelude musical number--back when our bishop wanted the choir to sing prelude before sacrament meeting.  We haven't been asked to sing prelude for several years now, so maybe the ward choir isn't supposed to do that anymore.

#221 "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd"

I love the message of this hymn!  I like the author of the text made sure (in verse 3) that the "ninety and nine" were also "Dear to the heart of the Shepherd."  I like the sentiment that the Good Shepherd made sure the "ninety and nine" were safely in the sheep fold before he went out to search for the lost sheep.  I like how in the last verse, the words in the chorus change focus and it reads, "Off to the rescue we'll hasten, Bringing them back to the fold."
I have a funny story about this hymn that happened in my sister's (Denise) early-morning seminary class in 1974-75.  Her freshmen class thought they'd play a trick on their teacher.  They planned to take up as much time as possible with the opening hymn and opening prayer.  The person who was in charge of the devotional that morning, looked through the list of hymns available (we used records and record players back then) and looked on the back of the album cover to find the longest hymn.  Because of the four verses and slow tempo, "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd" was the longest song.  (I guess we didn't have the option of all seven verses of  "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" or "How Firm a Foundation" back then!)  I think my sister said it was about a six-minute song.  Then, they asked (the day before) the girl who was going to say the opening prayer to say a really long one.  I guess she prayed for about four minutes--which is pretty long for a teenager in an early-morning  seminary class!  The last part of the students' joke included asking lots of questions of the teacher.  I wish I could have been a fly on the wall that morning!

#220 "Lord, I Would Follow Thee"

I love this new addition to the 1985 hymnal.  The text and music work so well together.  I have notes in my personal hymnbook to use it as a choir number like this:

Verse 1:  SATB with piano accompaniment as written in hymnal
Verse 2: Tenor II and Baritones sing melody; Tenor I sings tenor; Bass II sings bass; women "ooh";
(piano plays verse an octave lower)
Interlude by piano (last four measures, an octave higher)
Verse 3: SSA Women; Soprano I sings tenor an octave higher (piano plays verse an octave higher)
Verse 4: SATB (A capella) Choir repeats last two measures slowly for a TAG ending.

Measures 1-2 are just a reverse of measures 9-10. 

#219 "Because I Have Been Given Much"

This hymn was a new addition to the 1985 hymnal.  I don't know of anyone who isn't touched by the message of this hymn.  I just wish it was easier to play.  I think I've pretty much got it down, but it's a little tricky for me.
I love the message of this hymn!
Someone wrote the following words (to be used at a missionary farewell) to the tune of this hymn:

Because of thy life's mission, Lord, I too will serve.

I'll leave the comforts of my home to teach thy word.

I'll seek thy sheep who've gone astray

And those who've never know the way.

I will make thy works my works today.

#218 "We Give Thee But Thine Own"

This is a nice hymn that has a great message--that all we have comes from the Lord--and we should give back to Him through our tithes and offerings.
I have a note in my personal hymnbook for the following arrangement:

Verse 1:  SATB
Verse 2 & 3:  skip verse 2; instead, go to Hymn #125, "How Gentle God's Commands", and use the music of #125 with the words of Verse 3
Verse 4: Go back to the tune of #218 and sing the words of this hymn as written--SATB.

I don't know if I've ever used that arrangement, but I had it written out in my hymnal.

#217 "Come, Let Us Anew"

I really like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version (by Mack Wilberg) of this hymn.  I like how they start softly and build throughout the song.  If it weren't for their version, I probably wouldn't care for this hymn very much.

#216 "We Are Sowing"

This isn't one of my favorite hymns.  I'm not sure why, since the message is one that we all need to hear.  Verse three mentions that we can sow blessings or scatter strife by our words, thoughts, and actions.  I don't think I've sung this one very many times in my life.

#215 "Ring Out, Wild Bells"

This is the best hymn to use for a New Year's Day celebration, and I usually schedule it for the first Sunday in January to go along with the theme of resolutions.  I like how the third verse ends with the tenors singing an F# and bringing the hymn to a major chord after all the minor sound for the first three verses of the hymn. 

#214 "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

This hymn originally was a seven-stanza poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  The omitted verses were about the Civil War.  I am glad that in the 1985 edition of the LDS Hymnbook, they made sure that the last verse ended with a feeling of faith and optimism.  The fourth verse, "Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:  'God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, goodwill to men.'" is my favorite because of its happy message.

#213 "The First Noel"

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs.  My first husband, Mike Ramsey, had a hearing loss and he always thought the words were "Oh, well, oh well" instead of "Noel, noel".  I always get a smile on my face or a tear in my eye when I sing this song at Christmas.

#212 "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains"

This hymn is a uniquely LDS Christmas hymn.  I've always liked it because it was similar to "Glory to God" from Handel's Messiah.  I am glad we have this song in our hymnbook.  It's nice to use as a choir number with the women singing a duet on verse one (SA) and then having the entire choir sing SATB for the chorus.  It is also effective to sing the first "Peace on earth, goodwill to men" softly and then sing the last two phrases a little louder.

#211 "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks"

I like the tune of Hymn #283 ("The Glorious Gospel Light Has Shone") to pair with the words of this hymn.    (In fact, the tune name of hymn #283 is "Bethlehem"!)  I would like to have a choir sing the words with the tune "Bethlehem" as a special musical number.

#210 "With Wondering Awe"

This is a nice hymn for the choir to use as a special musical number.  The verses can be sung as solos or duets, and then the last line, "Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to his name!" could be sung SATB with the entire choir. 

#209 "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing"

I've always liked this Christmas hymn.  It is easy to sing and play.  T.T. Noble has a free accompaniment to this hymn that would work well with a choir or congregation.

#208 "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

I am ashamed to say that this Christmas hymn wasn't one of my favorites until recently.  President Thomas S. Monson gave a talk at a First Presidency Christmas Devotional a few years ago and he quoted the third verse in such a way that I realized the great message of this hymn.

How silently,how silently

The wondrous gift is giv'n!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heav'n.

No ear may hear his coming;

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still

The dear Christ enters in.

I think the one little word, gift, is what made the difference.  I think before really paying attention to its message, I thought this hymn was referring to giving gifts (plural) at Christmas.  Now I see that the word gift (singular) refers to the Christ Child.  With that one attention to detail, this has become one of my favorite Christmas hymns.

Hymns of Worship, vol. 3 by Larice Music Corp. has a nice arrangement of this hymn.  T.T. Noble has a free hymn accompaniment to this hymn, too.

The words of this hymn can be sung to the tune of Hymn #15 "I Saw a Mighty Angel Fly".  I've tried it and it works very well!

#207 "It Came upon the Midnight Clear"

I know I keep writing that many of these Christmas hymns are my favorite, but today's song is actually one that I've sung all of my life but I don't consider it a favorite.  However, this morning I was reading about two additional verses written by the author that I thought apply to today's world:

"Yet with the woes of sin and strife

The world has suffered long;

Beneath the angel strain have rolled

Two thousand years of wrong;

And man, at war with man, hears not

The love song which they bring:

O hush the noise, ye men of strife,

And hear the angels sing!"   

I think our world needs to "hush the noise" and "hear the angels sing"!  

#206 "Away in a Manger"

This tune is different than the one I grew up singing, but I like it even better.  The book Hymns of Worship, vol. 3 by Larice Music Corp. has a nice arrangement that works for a ward or stake choir.  Children seem to like this hymn because of the text in verse three that reads: "Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray.  Bless all the dear children in they tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with thee there."  This song should be sung every Christmas season!

#205 "Once in Royal David's City"

This hymn was new to the 1985 edition of the LDS hymnbook, and it was new to me, too.  I really like it and am glad it is in the hymnal.  It sits right next to "Away in a Manger" and both are in the key of F.  I think the two songs could be made into an effective medley by "mashing" the two songs together.

#204 "Silent Night"

A classic Christmas carol!  I love the story behind this hymn and how it was first written on Christmas Eve (1818) because the organ of the Catholic Church in Oberndoft, Austria was broken and they needed a hymn that could be played on guitar.  This is a hymn that we use every Christmas season for choir or congregation.

#203 "Angels We Have Heard on High"

This is another great Christmas hymn!  I am so glad it was included in the 1985 hymnal.  I remember singing this in choir at Alhambra High School and loving it!
T.T. Noble has a free accompaniment to this hymn that would be great to use with a choir or congregation.

#202 "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful"

This is another wonderful Christmas song.  I remember our Aunt Lynn Greenwood (Uncle Ted's wife) playing the piano (at their home) and asking Denise and me to sing this song.  I sang alto--as best I could--and Denise sang the melody line.  Aunt Lynn said we did a beautiful job.  I think that was the first time anyone had asked my sister and me to sing together.
I love the harmonies of this hymn and how the sound builds on the "Oh, come, let us adore him" part.
T.T. Noble has a free accompaniment to this hymn that would be nice to use.

#201 "Joy to the World"

Christmas in July!  It's July 19th and I've come to the Christmas section of the LDS Hymnbook.  Maybe that will make me feel cooler these next couple of weeks!
"Joy to the World" is one of my favorite Christmas hymns.  I've sung it all of my life.  It wasn't until I was older that I learned the music was written by George F. Handel and Lowell Mason.  You can see the similarities in the first line of "Joy to the World" and "Lift Up Your Heads" (from Handel's Messiah).  There is also a similarity to "And Saints and angels sing..." and the accompaniment to the tenor aria "Comfort Ye My People".  (I stole these two ideas from Karen Lynn Davidson's book "Our Latter-Day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages".)
This hymn was one of the first songs that I was able to pick out on the piano at church--just the melody line.  I must have been about 11 years old when I tried it.  I played it in the key of C, but the one in our hymnal is in the key of D.  I can now easily play the entire song as written!

#200 "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today"

This has got to be the "#1 Easter Hymn" in all Christian churches.  I can't image an Easter Sunday without singing this hymn.  My favorite memory of this hymn is singing at the Easter Sunrise Service at the Hollywood Bowl with the Southern California Mormon Choir (1975-77).  There was this cross-shaped group of seats on the stage that a choir of young children sat in.  It was elevated in such a way as to be at an angle so that the top seats were higher than the bottom seats.  Each child was wearing a piece of black cloth over their white choir robe.  When the words "Christ the Lord is risen today" were sung, the choir singers quickly pulled off the black cloth to reveal their white robe underneath.  The effect was wonderful!  There was a "living cross" on stage off all-white angels singing.  The audience always loved it. 
T.T. Noble has a free organ accompaniment arrangement in one of his books. 
I will never let an Easter Sunday go by without singing this hymn!

#199 "He Is Risen!"

I can't imagine Easter Sunday without this hymn (or "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today") being sung as part of the Easter service.  I've sung this hymn every Easter Sunday since I was old enough to hold a hymnbook.  I love the message of the text and the music.  Either the congregation or the choir will continue to use this hymn every Easter Sunday if I am in charge of choosing the hymns.

#198 "That Easter Morn"

This song was a great addition to the limited number of Easter hymns in the 1950 LDS Hymnal.  I like the three different endings to each verse.  Our ward choir has performed this song at many Easter services.
"Hymnal Plus, Vol. 6" has a way to make this hymn even more special with 10 measures of added introduction, 10 measures of interlude between verses one and two, and 10 measures of postlude.  I haven't used that arrangement yet, but I have a note in my personal hymnbook to remind me about it.

#197 "O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown"

I first heard this Easter hymn as "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" when I sang in the Phelan Ward Choir.  I remember that the tenors had some really high notes to hit.  In this revised edition, the key has been lowered so that it is easier for the congregation to sing.  The new text was written by Karen Lynn Davidson for the 1985 hymnal and she said that her words are fitting for the sacrament as well as for an Easter service. 
T.T. Noble has a free accompaniment for this hymn tune that would be a nice addition for a ward choir to use.  I like to play this song at the slower tempo of 60, as suggested in the hymnal.

#196 "Jesus, Once of Humble Birth"

I like the way this hymn is set up with a "Once..., Now..." sequence.  I like to schedule this as a sacrament hymn for the Sunday closest to Christmas because it mentions Jesus' birth.  We use it a lot more often than that, but it is one that we will sing around Christmas, too.
In an older hymnal, there were dynamic markings that are no longer in the 1985 edition.  They were marked as follows:
Measures 1-4 piano (soft)
Measures 5-8 forte (loud)
Measures 9-12 piano (soft)
Measures 13-16 forte (loud)
Measures 17-20 piano (soft)

#195 "How Great and the Wisdom and the Love"

I like to make sure that when we sing this hymn that we sing all of the verses because of the message in verses five and six.   We use this hymn frequently in our sacrament meeting. 

#194 "There Is a Green Hill Far Away"

This is another great sacrament hymn.  In Karen Lynn Davidson's book, I found out that the line that reads, "Without a city wall", means "outside the city wall".  I like the tune and words of this sacrament hymn.  We schedule it quite often in our ward.

#193 "I Stand All Amazed"

I know I keep writing that the past few days of sacrament hymns are some of my favorite, but Hymn #193, "I Stand All Amazed", is really my all-time favorite sacrament hymn.  The message of verse two "...to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine..." really applies to me.  I love the version in the 1950 hymnal because of the men's voices singing, "Wonderful!"  I still hear that version in my mind when we sing.  Our Oak Hills Ward Choir sang the old version as a special musical number at Easter this year and it was very effective.

#192 "He Died! The Great Redeemer Died"

This hymn is one that I've always liked.  It has been used for sacrament meeting and as a special choir number at Easter.  I like the harmonies and the text.  We use it often in our ward.

#191 "Behold the Great Redeemer Die"

This is another one of my favorite hymns to sing for the sacrament.  Even though it was in the choir section of the 1950 hymnal, we still sang it in the old Monterey Park Ward where I was raised.  The harmonies and text are both wonderful!  We've used this as a choir number on Easter and sang all six verses.  We schedule this one often in my ward.

#190 "In Memory of the Crucified"

This is one of my favorite sacrament hymns to sing.  I like the alto line.  I like the message of the text.  It is one that we use often in our ward.

#189 "O Thou, Before the World Began"

This hymn was included in the choir section of the 1950 hymnal, but was added to the congregational section for the 1985 hymnbook.  This hymn was new to me.  I like the message because it teaches that Jesus Christ was foreordained to by our Savior.  The music was a little difficult because of the accidentals.

#188 "Thy Will, O Lord, Be Done"

I found an interesting note in Karen Lynn Davidson's book, Our Latter-Day Hymns, about this hymn.  The composer of the tune had written the music for Hymn #135 "My Redeemer Lives", but another tune was chosen instead of his for the 1985 hymnal.  His tune was paired with the words of "Thy Will, O Lord, Be Done".  It's nice to know that I could have the choir use the tune of #188 with the words of #135 as a special choir number.
I've used this hymn as a choir number for Easter because it is not well-known to the congregation.  The tune is unusual, but I still like it.  It was a little tricky to play because of the accidentals, but with a little work I should be able to play it smoothly.

#187 "God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son"

This is one of my favorite sacrament hymns.  I love the alto part on this song--it was one of the first songs on which I learned to sing alto. 
This is a tricky song to lead because the prep beat is on count one.  I like to use a rebound when I lead this hymn.
For organ, I use the preset #3 and it sounds lovely.  We always sing all five verses to make the hymn's message complete.

#186 "Again We Meet Around the Board"

This hymn was included in the choir section of the 1950 hymnal and is now in the congregation section of the 1985 hymnbook.  This hymn is only slightly familiar to me.  I've never used in a sacrament meeting due to its unfamiliarity for most congregations.  It would be nice to sing once the congregation learned the music.

#185 "Reverently and Meekly Now"

I remember learning this hymn in the old Monterey Park Ward and liking it.  In the 1985 hymnal, it has a lowered key and the instrumental portion was deleted.  I kind of liked the old arrangement because it seemed more dramatic. 
The text is quite interesting because it is as if the Savior is saying/singing the words.  It is all in the first person.  Some people have a hard time with the words "with my blood that dripped like rain" but we all need to remember that the crucifixion was not pretty--it was very bloody.
I haven't scheduled this as a sacrament hymn, but only because it is a little difficult to sing and there are a couple of tricky notes in it.  I think the congregation would like it, once they were familiar with it.

#184 "Upon the Cross of Calvary"

This sacrament hymn would be perfect for an Easter hymn, too.  Each of the three verses begins with "Upon the cross...".  I have a note in my personal hymnal for the following organ registrations:
8' Principal; 8' Flute; 4' Spitz Flute.
This hymn is easy to play and sing.  We use it frequently in our sacrament meeting services.

#183 "In Remembrance of Thy Suffering"

This hymn was listed in the choir section of the 1950 hymnal.  Now it has joined the ranks of the congregational hymns.  The triplets make it a little tricky to sing and play, but I like the challenge it brings.  We rarely sing this in sacrament meeting, but I think it would be nice to schedule it so the congregation can begin to love it, too!

#182 "We'll Sing All Hail to Jesus' Name"

This sacrament hymn has a great melody line, but I really love to sing the alto part because of its rhythm and harmony.  The timing is a little tricky in spots, but I feel confident playing this hymn.  It is one that I schedule often for the sacrament hymn.

#181 "Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King"

I really like the message and tune of this sacrament hymn.  I love to sing the alto part because of the dissonance that it has with the soprano line.  This is one that I schedule often.

#180 "Father in Heaven, We Do Believe"

This is a sacrament hymn that we sing often.  There is a note at the bottom of the hymn:  "For sacrament, sing verses 1-4" and "For baptismal services, omit verse 4".  I've never been to a baptismal service where this was sung, but the words would work best at an adult convert baptism.

#179 "Again, Our Dear Redeeming Lord"

This is a sacrament hymn that isn't sung very often because in the 1950 edition of the hymnbook it was in the choir section.  I've never used it as a sacrament hymn.  The accidentals made it a little challenging for me to play.  Once the congregation was introduced to the melody, this would be a nice sacrament hymn to add to the other familiar hymns.

#178 "O Lord of Hosts"

This sacrament hymn was in the choir section in the 1950 hymnal and was included in the sacrament hymn section for the 1985 hymnal.  I like the soprano-alto duet in measures 9-13--I think it's a very nice touch to a congregational hymn.

#177 '"Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love"

This tune is described as having a "gospel-song energy" (as compared with Hymn #176) according to Karen Lynn Davidson's book, Our Latter-day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages.  I like both hymns and schedule them equally.

#176 "'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love"

I like this hymn tune setting as well as the tune for Hymn #177.  The chorus of Hymn #177 is the fourth verse of Hymn #176.  The members of the congregation seem to enjoy both hymn tunes. 

#175 "O God, the Eternal Father"

This sacrament hymn was in the original LDS hymnbook from 1835.  I've sung it all of my life.  When I was the teacher development leader in the Baldy Mesa Branch, I was teaching a class for the primary teachers about using more eye contact during their lessons.  I challenged the teachers to memorize part of their lesson for the upcoming Sunday.  To show them that I was also going to challenge myself, I told them that I would memorize all four verses of this hymn (which was scheduled for the upcoming Sunday) and not even open my hymnbook for leading it.  (At the time, I was also the branch music director--most of us had two or three callings in the branch.)  So, that Sunday, I led the music for this hymn without even bringing my hymnbook to the music stand.  To this day I still have the words committed to memory.

#174 "While of These Emblems We Partake"

Since yesterday's hymn and today's hymn have the same text, the only thing to comment on is the tune.  Hymn #174 is more familiar to me.  The ward in which I grew up (Monterey Park) would use the tune "Aeolian" by Alexander Schreiner, so I probably would say that I like #174 better than #173.
Here's the story I promised to tell you about hymn #174:
When I was the music director for the old Baldy Mesa Branch (1986-89) I had scheduled this number for the sacrament hymn.  Our branch president, President Randy Wilkerson, hadn't come into the meeting yet and one of his counselors conducted the first part of the meeting--the opening hymn, opening prayer, and branch business.  Right then, President Wilkerson came in and then proceeded to conduct the next item--the announcing of the sacrament hymn.  Instead of saying, "While of These Emblems We Partake", he read it like this: "While of These Problems We Partake".  No one seemed to notice except me, but that is what he said!  I will never forget that incident--every time I sing this hymn, I think of that time when President Wilkerson rushed into sacrament meeting after counseling with a troubled branch member about their problems and announced "While of These Problems We Partake" as the sacrament hymn.

#173 "While of These Emblems We Partake"

This is a familiar sacrament hymn in our ward.  I schedule both versions of "While of These Emblems We Partake".  I like the text and the music of both.  Tomorrow I will tell you a funny story about something that happened in the Baldy Mesa Branch years ago that has to do with Hymn #174.

#172 "In Humility, Our Savior"

This is one of my favorite sacrament hymns because I really love the tune.  This hymn tune ("HYFRYDOL", which is Welsh for "good cheer") is in many Protestant hymnals, often with William C. Dix's text "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!"  I've heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir use this tune (with different words) and it really speaks to my soul.  I need to find out the alternate words for this hymn and use it as a choir number. 
I have notes in my personal hymnbook to use it in the following way:
Verse 1:  Unison, stacked.  Soprano sings the first 8 measures; add alto for measures 9-16; add tenor on measures 17-24; add bass for measures 25-32.
Verse 2:  Soprano and tenor for measures 1-16; SATB for measures 17-32.

I wish there were more verses to do more things with this hymn.  I will have to find the other text and use it for choir.

#171 "With Humble Heart"

This sacrament hymn is new to the 1985 edition of the LDS Hymnbook.  I haven't scheduled it very often, but we are singing it this Sunday!  I like the message and the tune, but it isn't very familiar to the congregation.

#170 "God, Our Father, Hear Us Pray"

This sacrament hymn is one that we sing often in church.  There is a key change from the 1950 LDS hymnbook that was hard for me to get used to at first, but now I can easily play this 1985 edition in the key of G.

#169 "As Now We Take the Sacrament"

This sacrament hymn is new to the 1985 edition of the LDS hymnbook.  I don't use as frequently as I do the others, but every few months I will schedule it for sacrament meeting.  I like the message and the tune.

#168 "As the Shadows Fall"

This hymn was totally new to me--I've never sung or played it before today.  I had a difficult time playing five flats.  This is probably why I've never heard it before--the average church organist/pianist doesn't like to play in the key of D-flat either!
I like the text and the music, but because of the difficulty in playing it, I won't be using it for myself.

#167 "Come, Let Us Sing an Evening Hymn"

This hymn was new to me and I was surprised to see the note at the bottom of the hymn that reads, "Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835".  I don't think I've ever heard it sung before.  It was easy to play and sing.  I have a note that the 1948 edition of the hymnbook has an SSA arrangement.

#166 "Abide with Me!"

I really like this hymn.  I have used it in sacrament meeting as a closing hymn many times.  I like to sing the tenor line--even though I am an alto--because of its moving line on measures 10-11 and 16-17.
I have used this hymn with a ward choir as follows:
Verse 1:  SATB
Verse 2:  SSA (Soprano I sings melody; Soprano II sings the alto; altos sing the tenor line)
Verse 3: Unison with T.T. Noble's free accompaniment (#100) in key of E-flat

#165 "Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide"

What can I say about the hymn that was sung at my husband's funeral?  It was one of Mike Ramsey's  favorites, so I chose it as the closing song at his funeral.  I love the message of this hymn and the vocal harmonization. 
I've used this hymn for stake choir in the following manner:
Verse 1: SATB
Verse 2: Soprano sings first 10 measures; add alto on measures 11-15; add tenor on measures 16-20; add bass on measures 21-25.
Verse 3: Tenor sings melody (an octave lower) and alto sings the alto line as written for measures 1-10; add soprano and bass on measures 15-25 with everyone singing their regular part as written (SATB) except that the basses sing a "C" instead of an E-flat on their last note. 
Add a tag ending of the last five measures, in unison, with a ritard on measures 22-25, and tenor and bass sing their last note as written (measure 25). 
This is a very effective arrangement that I have used in sacrament meeting.  I didn't come up with the arrangement--it was something on an old Mormon Tabernacle Choir album that I just copied.
This hymn will always be special to me because of Mike's love of this song.

#164 "Great God, to Thee My Evening Song"

Even though this hymn has been around since the 1800's, it is one that is new to me.  I don't think I've ever sung it in a choir or in a congregation.  The tune and words are nice, but because it is unfamiliar to me, I probably won't use it in a sacrament meeting.

#163 "Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing"

I have a funny story about this hymn.  My first husband, Mike Ramsey, had a hearing loss in his left ear and was completely deaf in his right ear.  He sometimes didn't hear words correctly.  He thought that the words in the last two lines were:  "Oh, refreshments, on refreshments, Trav'ling thru this wilderness."  It made sense to him that you would need refreshments if you were traveling through a wilderness!  I can't sing this hymn without thinking of him.
This is a simple hymn that I've used many times as a closing hymn.  The congregation enjoys the easy melody and two short verses.

#162 "Lord, We Come Before Thee Now"

I love the minor key of this hymn.  The harmonizations of the vocal parts are really nice, too.  I've used this as a choir hymn in the following manner:
Verse 1:  Soprano sings measures 1-2; Add tenor on measures 3-4; Add alto on measures 5-6; Add bass on measures 7-8.
Verse 2:  Soprano and tenor sing their parts for the entire verse.
Verse 3:  Women's voices with soprano I on soprano; soprano II on alto; alto sings tenor line.
Verse 4: SATB with a tag ending on measures 7-8 and change the tenor note to a B-natural on the last note of the tag to bring it to a major chord at the end.

#161 "The Lord Be with Us"

I was surprised to find out that this hymn was in the 1948 edition of the LDS Hymnal.  It was not familiar to me at all.  I don't think I've ever sung it or played it until today.  It would make a nice closing hymn for an evening sacrament meeting.

#160 "Softly Now the Light of Day"

When I was teaching early-morning seminary, one of my students (who didn't like to sing) went through the entire hymnbook and wrote a list of all the one-verse songs in the hymnbook.  This song, "Softly Now the Light of Day", was at the top of his list.  He wanted me to choose shorter songs for sacrament meeting and for seminary. 
I have a note in my personal hymnal that T.T. Noble has a free accompaniment to this hymn, but it is in the Key of F.  The 1950 hymnal has this hymn in the Key of F, so if I ever want to try it, I could use the old hymnal--the congregation or choir would be able to easily adapt to the half-step change in key.

#159 "Now the Day Is Over"

I first remember learning this song from an old primary record made by primary children from Mesa, Arizona.  My family would listen to that record many times during my childhood.  I always thought of this song as a song from the hymnbook--for sacrament meeting.  Today, when I read Our Latter-day Hymns, by Karen Lynn Davidson, I was surprised to find out that it was originally written for children.  Her book lists four additional verses to the two that are in our hymnbook.
I like the vocal parts of this hymn.  They are very interesting and blend nicely together to form a great tune.

#158 "Before Thee, Lord, I Bow My Head"

This hymn was in the choir section of the 1950 hymnal and I remember first hearing it as a youth.  I loved how the bass and tenor parts echoed the women's parts.  I don't remember singing this as a congregational hymn, but it would be an easy one for the congregation to sing.

#157 "Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls"

I remember learning this as a youth in the old Monterey Park Ward.  What made it special is that our ward choir director had once lived in the area near Sinai--which is mentioned in verse one of the hymn--and he told us that this hymn was a favorite of the members of the little branch in that area. 
I have a note written in my personal hymnbook about ending the second verse with a deceptive cadence and then repeating the last line "In all we do, in all we say".  Have the last note (the deceptive cadence) be a C for the basses, G for the tenors, C for the altos, and an E-flat for the sopranos on the word "say" and then repeat the last line, holding the A-flat of the tenor line, before ending with the original chord as written.  I played it that way this morning and it was very effective.  I would like to use this hymn as a choir number and sing it that way.

#156 "Sing We Now at Parting"

This is a hymn that I have sung all my life.  It makes a great closing hymn for a sacrament meeting.  I noticed one change in the wording.  The last line of the first verse used to say "rend this Sabbath air" and now it reads "fill this Sabbath air".  I guess "rend" must have had a bad connotation. 
This hymn is easy to play --Key of C-- and easy to sing.  I will continue to use this hymn in sacrament meeting.

#155 "We Have Partaken of Thy Love"

This hymn is a new addition to the 1985 hymnal.  It makes a good closing hymn, but I don't think we've ever sung it.  This is another of the hymns that just keeps getting passed by--the congregation has never learned it.  It has a good message and a nice tune, but I probably won't schedule it until it's been introduced in Relief Society hymn practice time.

#154 "Father, This Hour Has Been One of Joy"

This hymn was a new addition to the 1985 hymnal.  It is only one verse long, so this is another good one to schedule for a long sacrament meeting.  The message is "short and sweet".  The tune is a little tricky to play because of the accidentals.  I don't remember scheduling this hymn in the past 15 years because I don't think it's ever been taught to our congregation.  It might be nice for the Relief Society to teach it during their hymn practice time, or have the ward choir sing it once and then have the congregation repeat the hymn.  I like it, but I probably won't schedule it until it's been introduced to the congregation in some manner.

#153 "Lord, We Ask Thee Ere We Part"

After a long sacrament meeting, the congregation appreciates a short closing hymn.  This song fits the bill!  It has a great message, is easy to sing, and is short!  I've used this hymn many times over the years as the closing hymn.  I like it!

#152 "God Be with You Till We Meet Again"

I love this song!  Every performance of the Southern California Mormon Choir and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir ends with this hymn, so I've probably sung this song more than any other in the hymnbook.  Most missionary farewells seem to have this as the closing hymn, so "God Be with You Till We Meet Again" is a very popular hymn!

#151 "We Meet, Dear Lord"

When I played this hymn today, I didn't think I had ever sung it or played it before.  However, I found a note in my personal hymnbook that had the date "1-28-96" penciled in, meaning that the choir sang this hymn on that date.  It's a nice hymn, but I think that's the one and only time I ever have sung it!

#150 "O Thou Kind and Gracious Father"

This hymn was in the choir section in the old hymnbook, so not many congregations are familiar with it.  I don't think I've ever scheduled it for choir or congregation because I don't have any notes in my personal hymnbook.  It seems like a nice tune with good words, but it just isn't used much.

#149 "As the Dew from Heaven Distilling"

I grew to love this song because of the 1972 Los Angeles Music Festival.  Brother Beckstead (of the Alhambra Ward) arranged a medley of LDS hymns and this was included in the medley.  It came right before "The Spirit of God".  (See post from January 2nd for more details).  Now that I am older, I understand the words that I sang as a freshmen in high school.  Great hymn!

#148 "Sabbath Day"

How appropriate that this hymn appears today--a Sunday!  This hymn is new to the 1985 Hymnal but I've used it for both choir and congregation back in the 1990's.  I haven't used it much lately--I'm not sure why, but I just haven't scheduled it.  I like the tune and the words, so I will have to remember to use it in the future.

#147 "Sweet Is the Work"

This hymn is great for choir or congregation.  I have used the version in the Choirbook, by Robert Manookin.  There is a free accompaniment to verse four in that publication.  It is also nice to utilize Hymn #317, the women's arrangement of this hymn, as part of a choir performance.  Hymn #317 is in the key of A-flat and Hymn #127 is in the key of G, so a modulation would be needed to make the two hymns work together.

#146 "Gently Raise the Sacred Strain"

I can't sing or play this hymn without thinking about the weekly Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast, Music and the Spoken Word.  Every Sunday morning, this is the hymn that begins each broadcast.  I've used this hymn with choir and congregation.  It is also a song that can be used as a sacrament hymn.  Verse two has these words: "And partake the sacrament in remembrance of our Lord".  I've used it a few times as a sacrament hymn, but since it's not located in the section of sacrament hymns (#169-196) I forget that it can be used.  (I'll have to make a note in my personal hymnbook about that!)

#145 "Prayer Is the Souls' Sincere Desire"

When I played this hymn today, I was surprised to notice that the hymn seemed different to me in measures 7-11.  I looked up this hymn in the old hymnal and found out why I felt that way.  In the old hymnal, the women sing measures 7-11, but in the 1985 edition, bass and tenor parts have been added.  I like the old way better.  I've used this hymn for choir, and how we made it special was to sing only verses 5-8, which are rarely sung by the congregation.  At the end of verse 8, we added a tag ending on "Lord, teach us how to pray."

#144 "Secret Prayer"

I remember singing this one as a little girl and loving it even back then!  I love the chorus where the men sing their part and then, on the last line, "May unite my soul with heav'n." all the parts sing together.  How fitting it is that all the voices "unite" on the last line with those words!  We've used this for choir a few times over the years, and, for the congregation, many times.

#143 "Let the Holy Spirit Guide"

I have used this hymn many times since it has been added to the 1985 hymnal.  I've used it as a congregational hymn as well as for the ward choir.  I like it!

#142 "Sweet Hour of Prayer"

I like this hymn.  My favorite memory of this hymn is of hearing my dad play it on the piano.  Well, at least the right-hand part for about the first nine measures.  He was able to play the thirds, but not past the ninth measure.  My dad never had piano lessons, but his mother played the piano--even though she had been deaf since about the age of seven.  When we got a piano at my house (when I was about 12 years old) this hymn was one of the first things he played.  He also played "Days of Summer Glory" which is no longer in the primary song book. 
This is an easy hymn to play and sing.

#141 "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee"

I like this hymn, too.  I have a note in my personal hymnal to sing the SSA arrangement (Hymn #315) as follows:
Verse 1:  Key of B-flat from Hymn #315/Soprano solo
Verse 2: Hymn #315/SSA/ modulate to key of "G" by playing the first three measures of Hymn #315and then go to Hymn #141.  The notes I had written in my hymnbook did not work when I played them today, so I need to find someone who knows how to modulate from B-flat to G and write in a chord.
Verse 3: Hymn #141/Men and women in unison on melody; Another note in my hymnal says to have the men in unison for verse 3.  Either idea would work.
Verse 4: Hymn #141/SATB; Another note has the tenors singing a suspension on the word "be" in measure 7, by singing a "G" before going to the F-sharp.
TAG:     Repeat first three measures of verse four: "Jesus, our only joy be thou."

The note in my hymnal has the date of April 20, 1997, so apparently our Oak Hills Ward Choir sang it that way on that day!

#140 "Did You Think to Pray?"

This is another classic hymn that I've loved forever.  We sing this often in our ward and have used it as a choir number.  The message of this hymn and music work together to make an effective hymn.

#139 "In Fasting We Approach Thee"

Yesterday I wrote about Hymn #138 and how we sang it often in the Baldy Mesa Branch.  The same could be said about "In Fasting We Approach Thee".  I liked having two specific hymns that I could use on Fast Sunday.  For some reason, we don't use this hymn much anymore.  I really like the message of the text and the music, but we just don't sing it very often.

#138 "Bless Our Fast, We Pray"

When the 1985 LDS Hymnal was published, I was in the Phelan Ward.  Eight months later, I was a member of the newly-formed Baldy Mesa Branch and was called as the music director.  I made the effort to have our little congregation learn the new hymns.  This was one of the hymns that we learned and used often in our branch.  I liked the words and the music.  It was really nice to have a hymn that was appropriate to use for Fast Sunday.