Sunday, February 23, 2020

TCATS #320 - My Top Tab Songs, Part 2

Before continuing with my list of favorites, I want to mention two things about the broadcast today that were a bit unique. 

First, our director Mack Wilberg complimented us on our sound today--using the word "beautiful" at least four times. He also mentioned he's never heard us sing "Alleluia" better than we did both Thursday night at rehearsal and on today's broadcast. To put this in context, Mack is very conservative in giving out praise in general. And that's why it means so much when he does. From my personal perspective, Alleluia really WAS beautiful and could honestly be described with one word: heaven.

Second, while rehearsing a two-verse hymn this morning, we were told (out of the blue) that we had 20 seconds to memorize it! Standard practice is that we are told on Thursday night which pieces we'll need to memorize (so we have the weekend to do that, if needs be). But apparently today was an exception. So, while some may have been able to do it in 20 seconds, I took the hymn with me on break before the broadcast and went over the words with a friend who wanted some extra time on it as well. Anyway, it went fine in the end. But given the realities of sometimes being on camera for thousands around the word, it's just a bit unnerving when you're asked to memorize something the morning-of!

OK. So on to the remainder of my Top Tab Songs. . .

8. Thou Gracious God Whose Mercy Lends. This beautiful song with its comforting lyrics is like a warm blanket on a chilly night. I love the woodwinds, the harp, and I love how we start out in unison and shift from harmony back to unison again near the end. With recent events in my life, I more fully appreciate the lyrics "For all the blessings life has brought. For all the sorrowing hours have taught."  [More HERE]  

9. Pilgrim Song. While I certainly love my life and all of the blessings God has given me, there are certainly days that I long to go home. This song beautifully expresses that desire with the lyrics "My soul doth long to go, where I may fully know the glory of my Savior." I'm grateful I get to sing the Christian song everyday and look forward to meeting loved ones on the other side at some point in the future. [More HERE]

10. His Voice as the Sound. From an earlier blog post: A beautiful, somewhat haunting folk-song about the Lord's voice being the sound we should hear--the sound we should follow. It's the sound that should resonate within our heart and within our soul.  One person who heard it during one of the church's General Conference commented "Sublime, unexpected, for a moment I went to heaven...". [More HERE]

11. Battle of Jericho. We sing quite a few spirituals throughout the year, every year, and while I love a lot of them, I think this one is still my favorite. It's different, it's powerful, its rampageous, and each part has a standout moment that really shines and adds color and texture to the piece. Did they sing this song at the actual battle of Jericho? Well, no. But I like to think they could have!

12. Nella Fantasia (from "The Mission"). The song brings such emotion with it. Especially if you've seen the film it's tied to. It's triumphant in a sad sort of way, and it's a song that's crying out for peace. And speaking of crying, I do a lot of that when I listen to, or sing, this song. Lyrics that would be great if they were reality? (translated from Italian) "In my fantasy I see a just world, where everyone lives in peace and honesty. I dream of souls that are always free." [More HERE]

13. Carol of the Drum (Little Drummer Boy). Some might question why this one made my list. After all, it's a pretty standard Christmas song with probably a hundred different artists singing their own rendition of it. That said, there are very few themes that are as important as the one that is in this song: YOU matter. YOUR gifts matter. God loves you for who you are and the contributions you can make, big or small. (And I really like the arrangement of this song that the Tabernacle Choir sings) [More HERE]

14. The Wexford Carol. I'm not sure where this carol has been hiding all of my life, but it's beautiful. I love everything about it. It's one of those songs where the notes and words and harmonies just fit together so naturally. And the video with a Prodigal Son theme that the choir produced with this song in the background, is really moving.

15. All People that on Earth Do Dwell. Sigh. This song. Too much to write about. For a post I wrote on it, see HERE.

For anyone interested in a Spotify playlist of these songs, you can find that HERE. (Apple Music playlist to follow)

Until next time, God be with you.
 

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