Hymn #11

August 2, 2020

Well, it's been far too long since I've written a hymn. This one came together pretty quickly. Generally I sit down at the piano and hit the record button, then start improvising melodies. This one was only the second set of phrases to come out and it wasn't too long before it was harmonized in pencil, then entered in the computer. Then came the inevitable second-guessing of everything and the subsequent experimentation, before settling back to what was originally written (which maybe a few very minor alterations). Oh, but then more ideas came and the first phrase got reworked...

...and then the final phrase was extended to make it a more comfortable 8 7 8 7 meter, and the harmonies got reworked...then reworked again...well, you get the idea.

Notable features:

  1. Meter: 8 7 8 7
  2. It actually ends in a PAC (perfect authentic cadence)!

-Michael Whatcott