song

Shiba drinking bubble tea in Vienna

Shiba drinking bubble tea in Vienna

Somewhat inspired by Parry Gripp songs with the formulation [cute animal] [consuming food or drink] [in location]~

Shiba drinking bubble tea in Vienna! (he’s drinking bubble tea)
Shiba drinking bubble tea in Vienna! (he’s drinking bubble tea)

Shiba inu, shiba in Vienna, shiba inu, are you friends with all the tiny dogs?
Shiba inu, shiba in Vienna
Shiba inu
Shiba inu

3 Winkworth songs (oct 2020)

First recordings of three more Catherine Winkworth songs. One of these, Out of the depths, I actually tried to write last year or something but only really came up with the first line – which I have basically used in this version.

With these I haven’t modernised the lyrics or cut any verses — I made minor changes to a verse in From thy heavenly throne to make a new section.

Out of the depths

1 Out of the depths I cry to Thee;
Lord, hear me, I implore Thee!
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,
Let my prayer come before Thee!
If Thou rememberest each misdeed,
If each should have its rightful meed,
Who may abide Thy presence?

2 Our pardon is Thy gift; Thy love
And grace alone avail us.
Our works could ne’er our guilt remove,
The strictest life would fail us.
That none may boast himself of aught,
But own in fear Thy grace hath wrought
What in him seemeth righteous.

3 And thus, my hope is in the Lord,
And not in mine own merit;
I rest upon His faithful word
To them of contrite spirit.
That He is merciful and just,–
This is my comfort and my trust,
His help I wait with patience.

4 And though it tarry till the night
And round till morning waken,
My heart shall ne’er mistrust Thy might,
Nor count itself forsaken.
Do thus, O ye of Israel’s seed,
Ye of the Spirit born indeed,
Wait for your God’s appearing.

5 Though great our sins and sore our woes,
His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows,
Our utmost need it soundeth;
Our kind and faithful Shepherd He,
Who shall at last set Israel free
From all their sin and sorrow.

Continue reading

Another Dowland rewrite

This one is rather… hm, some kind of concept, you know? take a listen.

Rest awhile, you cruel cares 
Be not more severe than love. 
Beauty kills and beauty spares, 
And sweet smiles sad sighs remove: 
Laura, fair queen of my delight, 
Come grant me love in love’s despite, 
And if I fail ever to honour thee, 
Let this heavenly light I see, 
Be as dark as hell to me. 

If I speak, my words want weight, 
Am I mute, my heart doth break, 
If I sigh, she fears deceit, 
Sorrow then for me must speak: 
Cruel unkind, with favour view 
The wound that first was made by you: 
And if my torments feigned be, 
Let this heavenly light I see, 
Be as dark as hell to me. 

Never hour of pleasing rest 
Shall revive my dying gost, 
Till my soul hath repossess’d 
The sweet hope which love hath lost: 
Laura redeem the soul that dies, 
By fury of thy murdering eyes: 
And if it prove unkind to thee, 
Let this heavenly light I see, 
Be as dark as hell to me.

Another for the Winkworth songbook

This is the first Catherine Winkworth hymn that I actually wrote on ukulele, and it’s got a nice chill feel I think. I also had a go at modernising the language slightly here, and a few line rewrites of my own for rhymes that I broke on the way.

God, you are my rock of strength

God, you are my rock of strength,
And my home is in your arms,
You will send me help at length,
And I will feel no wild alarms.
Sin nor Death can pierce the shield
Your defence has o’er me thrown,
Up to you myself I yield,
And my sorrows are your own.

When my trials are too long,
Unto you I look and wait,
Knowing none, though keen and strong,
Can my faith in you abate,
And this faith I long have nursed,
Comes from you, a gift so free;
You my heart did open first,
You have set this hope in me.

‘Neath the shadow of your wings
Keep me ever close to you,
In the peace your mercy brings,
Keep me all my journey through;
Be my All, in all I do,
Let me ever seek your will.
Where the heart to God is true,
All is peaceful, calm, and still.