Are you familiar with this hymn? It is one of my favorites! Perhaps today it will become one of yours as well. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page to play the recording!)
Several months ago, my Dad mentioned off-hand that basses (as opposed to tenors, altos or sopranos) don’t get the melody very often, and most arrangements are not comfortable for a bass voice to sing solo. He asked if I had interest in writing an arrangement for him to sing, and he requested “It is Well”.
I was hesitant at first, partly because I have very little experience arranging hymns. I wasn’t sure that I could do this hymn justice. But I decided to give it a try. Oh I’m so glad I did! This has been such a joyful project.
My Dad and I had extra excuses to slip off and spend time together- at his piano, at the church piano, and in my recording studio. We talked about why it meant so much to us, and we shared tender moments of testimony as well as creative discovery. I will always be grateful for those memories!
I hope that whether this finds you with peace like a river or in sorrow like a tumultuous sea today, you can find some peace as you listen to this music! We can receive peace from Jesus Christ that we find nowhere else.
Here are the lyrics in case you’d like to follow along!
IT IS WELL
When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Vocals: Kirby Dailey
Arrangement/Recording: Laura Harper
SHEET MUSIC AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
To purchase the sheet music (piano and vocal arrangement), click on this link: https://melodiesoflight.org/sheetmusic/
MELODIES OF LIGHT 