Thursday, October 14, 2010

New Hymnbook Coming Soon

For several months now,
            my early morning hours have been taken up
                        with the writing of hymns and songs.
I have more than 100 of these.
Now it’s time to get them written out in good notation
            and distributed.

So I’m making a brief change in my morning routine
            to gather the music into a hymnbook.
This will be a simple three-ring binder
            of 50 to 100 hymns and songs.
It may take several weeks,
            and I’ll try to keep you updated
                        on the process here.

When completed,
            the hymnbook will be available to you at no cost.
Thanks for your interest!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Ever-Present Help (Psalm 46) Final Version

words: Gary Hicks (10.12.10)
music: blues-based riff
(copyright 2010 by Gary L. Hicks)

God is our refuge, God is our strength
He is our light, and He knows the way
He’s an ever-present help, An ever-present help
Since He is with us, we will not fear
He is our Hope, and He’s ever near
He’s an ever-present help, An ever-present help
Our God is an ever-present help in trouble.

There is a river, there is a stream
Gladdens the city where Christ is King
He’s an ever-present help, An ever-present help
God is within us, God is our Stay
He is our Help at the break of day
He’s an ever-present help, An ever-present help
Our God is an ever-present help in trouble.

Nations are raging, kingdoms will fall
He lifts His voice, He is over all
He’s an ever-present help, An ever-present help
Be still and know that He is God
Worship with reverence, worship with awe
He’s an ever-present help, An ever-present help
Our God is an ever-present help in trouble.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Ever-Present Help in Trouble (Psalm 46)

This blues-based song is still a work in progress.
I’m looking for a bridge to add some contrast
     to the simple, repetitive verses.

God is our refuge, God is our strength
He is our light, and He knows the way
He is an ever-present help in trouble.
He is an ever-present help in trouble.

Since He is with us, we will not fear
He is our Trust, and He’s ever near
He is an ever-present help in trouble.
He is an ever-present help in trouble.

There is a river, there is a stream
Gladdens the city where Christ is King
He is an ever-present help in trouble.
He is an ever-present help in trouble.

God is within us, God is our Stay
He is our Help at the break of day
He is an ever-present help in trouble.
He is an ever-present help in trouble.

Monday, October 11, 2010

My Soul Longs for You (Psalm 42)

words & music by Gary Hicks (10.11.10)
copyright 2010, Gary L. Hicks

As the deer pants for water, so my soul longs for You
My soul longs for You.
There’s a thirst deep within me, only You can satisfy
My soul longs for You.

FOR YOU, LORD, FOR YOU, I'M THIRSTY FOR YOU
FOR YOU, LORD, FOR YOU, MY SOUL LONGS FOR YOU

In the roar of the waterfall my soul cries out
As deep calls to deep.
All Your waves and Your breakers have swept over me
As deep calls to deep.

These things I remember as I pour out my soul
I pour out my soul
The songs of thanksgiving and the shouts of joy
I pour out my soul.

Though my spirit is downcast, I will hope in You
My hope is in You
For yet  I will praise You, my Saviour, my God
My hope is in You

Friday, October 8, 2010

I Was Waiting Patiently (Psalm 40)

words: Gary Hicks (10.8.2010)
copyright 2010, Gary L. Hicks
tune: “I’s the B’y”, Newfoundland folksong

I was waiting patiently for the Lord to help me
Finally He turned to me and heard my cry for mercy

LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA,
JOYFULLY WE’RE SINGING.
LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA,
GRATEFUL PRAISES BRINGING.

I will sing a song of joy given by the Saviour
He has made my heart to sing by His gracious favour

Many now will see and hear, though they struggled under,
Many now will trust in God, filled with awe and wonder

Praise the God who lifted me from the slimy rubble
Praise the Lord who rescued me in my time of trouble

Vision clear and purpose strong, Now my heart is ready
Now I walk the solid ground, now my feet are steady

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Trust In the Lord With All Your Might (Psalm 37)

words: Gary Hicks (10.6.10)
copyright 2010 by Gary L. Hicks
tune: “O Waly Waly” (traditional English folk tune)

Trust in the Lord with all your might
Do all the good that you can do
Delight in Him, enjoy His love
For He has given all to you.

Commit your pathway unto Him
And give to Him your all, your best
For He will help in time of need
He is our strength, our sabbath rest.

Be still and wait, let patience grow
The Lord will act in perfect time
Let go of anger, never fret
His ways are wise, His thoughts sublime.

Trust in the Lord with all your might
Do all the good that you can do
Delight in Him, enjoy His love
For He has given all to you.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Lord, Your Love Reaches to the Heavens (Psalm 36)


words: Gary Hicks (10.04.10)
copyright 2010 by Gary L. Hicks
tune: traditional French
“Bring the Torch, Jeannette, Isabella” 

Lord, Your love reaches to the heavens,
Lord, Your faithfulness to the skies
Righteousness like mighty mountains
Justice like ocean depths surround us,
Ah, Ah, unfailing love so precious
Ah, Ah, unfailing love so kind.

Sin will whisper to the wicked
Deep within their blinded hearts
They refuse to act with wisdom
They will not turn from evil pathways
Ah, Ah, plotting to trap the righteous
Ah, Ah, plotting to trap us all.

Lord, You care for Your creation
We are sheltered under Your wings
We will feed from Your abundance
Drink from Your river so delightful
Ah, Ah, You are the fount of mercy
Ah, Ah, You are the fount of life!

Lord, Your love reaches to the heavens,
Lord, Your faithfulness to the skies
Righteousness like mighty mountains
Justice like ocean depths surround us,
Ah, Ah, unfailing love so precious
Ah, Ah, unfailing love so kind.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good (Psalm 34)

words: Gary Hicks (10.04.10)
copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks
tune: “Il Est Ne”, traditional French tune

Chorus: Taste and see that the Lord is good
Blessed are those who will trust His mercy
Taste and see that the Lord is good
God, our strength and our daily food.

1. Fear the Lord, you His godly ones
Those who fear Him will lack no good thing
Fear the Lord, you His godly ones
Rest in the promise of His Son.

2. I will praise Him at all times
I will constantly speak His praises
I will praise Him at all times.
I will boast in this Friend of mine!

3. Glorify the Lord with me
Let us exalt His name together
Glorify the Lord with me
Honor the Kinsman who sets us free.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Now Let the Godly Sing for Joy (Psalm 33)

words: Gary Hicks (10.03.2010)
copyright 2010 by Gary L. Hicks
tune: "Ellacombe" 
from "Gesangbuch der H W k Hofcapelle" 1784
“I Sing the Mighty Power of God”

Now let the godly sing for joy
And bring their rightful praise
His word holds true in every storm
We trust His faithful ways
Sing melodies and harmonies
A new song in the air
Play skillfully, with all your might
And praise Him everywhere.

Now let us stand in awe of Him
All creatures, fear the Lord,
The Maker of the universe
By His creative word.
He spoke, and all the stars were born
Each galaxy above
And every creature great and small –
In Him we live and move.

In grace He watches over us,
And helps us every day
He made our hearts, our lives, our minds
He understands our way.
What joy there is for those who trust,
Who faithfully pursue
In arms of love He carries us
Until the storm is through.

We put our hope in Christ the Lord
Our help, our strength, our shield
Our weary hearts in Him rejoice
Our hopes and fears we yield
Unfailing love surrounds us here
We trust in You alone
And from our lips sweet songs of joy
Rise up before Your throne.

Friday, October 1, 2010

He Knows the Plans He Has for Me (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

words: Gary Hicks (9.30.2010), copyright 2010, Gary L. Hicks
tune: Wexford Carol, traditional Irish tune

He knows the plans He has for me
Beyond what I can clearly see
Good plans to prosper and to bless
To raise me up and give success
He will not harm me, I am sure
In Him I trust, and stand secure
He gives me hope for future days
I will adore, and give Him praise.

With all my heart I’ll seek His face
His hopeful plans for me embrace
With grateful heart I say “Amen!”
And lift my hands in praise again.
His promise stands for all who come
He calms our fears and leads us home
He is our Promise and our stay
So let us follow and obey.

He knows the plans He has for me
Beyond what I can clearly see
Good plans to prosper and to bless
To raise me up and give success
He will not harm me, I am sure
In Him I trust, and stand secure
He gives me hope for future days
I will adore, and give Him praise.