Sabbath Day in the Friend

Today, my kids went to the mailbox and came back with a copy of the August 2017 Friend magazine. This month’s issue includes my song Sabbath Day. If you haven’t received your copy in the mail yet, the magazine will also be published online soon. For Primary leaders who need a recording to use in teaching the song, the accompaniment track in the player above is available for free download here.

You might notice that the lyrics in the Friend version are different from the original that I published here in 2015. This is not an accident. The Friend magazine is very intentionally focused toward broad usability in gospel teaching with children, even very young ones. As I worked with the editor on this song, we made some changes to make the message understandable and accessible for younger children.

I still love the original song (and the SATB choral version), and I’m excited that this new version is now available. I see it as an expansion, not a replacement.

Best,
Nate

I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go

2-part Choir with Piano

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

Arranged for the Greeley, Colorado Stake Conference in January 2017, this approachable 2-part version of the beloved hymn is perfect for youth or adult choirs with limited rehearsal time.

The piano quotes the classic A. C. Smyth tune Dare to Do Right. This arrangement can work well for small or large groups. While the piece is notated for women on part 1 and men on part 2, it would work equally well with a 2-part men’s choir or a 2-part women’s choir. Part 2 has the melody throughout the piece, so adapting for different groups should be easy.

Click for more info and file downloads »

Sabbath Day [SATB Choir]

SATB Choir with piano

SabbathDay

Originally written as a song for Primary children, this new choral arrangement is a beautiful piece about preparing for and honoring the Sabbath day. You can find the original unison children’s song here.

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Lift Me Up, Lord Jesus

Vocal Solo with Piano

Lift Me Up, Lord Jesus

An elegant and thoughtful solo about repentance, Lift Me Up, Lord Jesus was written for a 2003 fireside and received an Award of Distinction in the 2014 Church Music Submissions.

It was performed beautifully in the 2014 Fall Church Music Festival by Katie Bastian. (I do not own the recording – it is freely available on LDS.org, and a link is provided for your convenience.)

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Come, Come, Ye Saints

ComeComeSATB
Baritone Solo with SATB choir and piano
ComeComeSolo
Baritone Solo art song with piano

Come, Come, Ye Saints is a classic American folk hymn written as the Mormon pioneers journeyed West. This modern setting of the text evokes the hardships and joys of early pioneers. With its refrain of ”All is well, all is well!” this piece is ultimately triumphant and optimistic. The piano part is challenging and beautiful.

This setting was written for Glenn Gordon’s Reflections on Come, Come, Ye Saints project. The original version for baritone solo with SATB choir and piano was premiered by the Melbourne Chamber Choir in 2009. A solo baritone art song version was added in 2015. Both are available through MusicSpoke.